The Department of Justice (DOJ) released Phase One of “The Epstein Files” to a group of conservative influencers on Thursday, and the documents reportedly contain few revelations.
The release will be over 100 pages and includes a list of contacts, a source familiar with the files told the New York Post. The initial release will not include a client list, the source said.
The initial reveal will be a “disappointment” for those waiting for evidence about convicted sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to high profile individuals, the source told the outlet.
Multiple right-wing influencers, including Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok, obtained a binder with the initial files at the West Wing of the White House Thursday afternoon. (RELATED: Second Tranche Of Jeffrey Epstein Court Documents Unsealed)
A group of people, including @DC_Draino, exit the West Wing smiling and waving binders reading “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” pic.twitter.com/ERxNBpIO4Z
— Josh Sukoff (@JoshSukoff) February 27, 2025
Other individuals who obtained a copy of the files include Jack Posobiec, DC Draino, Cernovich, Chad Prather and Liz Wheeler, according to images circulating online.
Wheeler, host of The Liz Wheeler Show, tweeted a screenshot of a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel.
“Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,” Bondi wrote, according to the screenshot. “Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.”
EXCLUSIVE: Late last night, after it was clear Attorney General Pam Bondi would be imminently releasing the Epstein files, a source notified Bondi that the SDNY is hiding more Epstein documents.
Lots more.
We’re talking evidentiary lists, names—those files are where the big… pic.twitter.com/w9yfNvLTv2
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) February 27, 2025
Journalist Savannah Hernandez said the Trump administration was originally going to make the documents publicly available in a press conference Thursday, although this is unverified.
“Bondi has stated that some of the information is already public and that the real ‘smoking gun’ documents are being withheld by the FBI,” Hernandez tweeted. (RELATED: Jeffrey Epstein’s Brother Doesn’t Think He Would Kill Himself)
I also have an Epstein Files binder but I want to correct the record:
The Trump admin was originally set to announce these documents and make them available to the public in a press conference this afternoon.
Bondi has stated that some of the information is already public and… pic.twitter.com/hOzxfu1FSS
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 27, 2025
“The Trump DOJ has EVERYTHING,” Chad Prather, host of The Chad Prather Show, tweeted. “The most transparent administration in history.”
DC Draino also praised the Trump administration and said the contents of the binder will be fully released Thursday.
Hernandez appeared to say that there was a news embargo on the files in a post on X. Cernovich said there “was an embargo until after the UK ‘prime minister’ visit.”
However, criticism circulated online over the decision to release the binders to a select group of individuals, with some slamming it as a “photo op.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I like most of those in the photos,” the Daily Signal’s Tony Kinnett said. “A few are friends of mine.”
“Releasing the files like this so it’s a little photo op? Cringe. Childish,” he continued. “Not at all how a list of sex abusers should be released. That should be a simple online post via the DOJ. Presto. Done.”
Don’t get me wrong, I like most of those in the photos. A few are friends of mine.
Releasing the files like this so it’s a little photo op? Cringe. Childish. Not at all how a list of sex abusers should be released.
That should be a simple online post via the DOJ. Presto. Done.
— Tony Kinnett (@TheTonus) February 27, 2025
Influencers shouldn’t be getting the Epstein Files. This is absurd. They should be released to the public all at once not used to make money for “insiders”
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) February 27, 2025
In all the time spent watching the conservative influencers take pretty photos with the “Phase 1 Epstein List” binders, we could have read the scanned files twice.
— U.S. Ministry of Truth (@USMiniTru) February 27, 2025
Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna claimed that neither she nor the newly formed House Oversight Task Force on the Declassification of Government Secrets reviewed the Epstein files being released today. (RELATED: Here Are Some Of The Biggest Mysteries Trump’s FBI Should Solve)
She pointed to the Post story to highlight the minimal information reportedly contained in the documents.
“THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment,” Paulina Luna posted on X. “GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!”
I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today… A NY Post story just revealed that the documents will simply be Epstein’s phonebook.
THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment.
GET US THE…
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) February 27, 2025
Epstein was arrested in 2019, and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in July 2020.
Documents obtained by The New York Times revealed the FBI interviewed two alleged victims in 2006 who accused Epstein and Maxwell of sexual abuse.
In January 2024, court documents with the names of over 150 associates of Epstein were released. Former President Bill Clinton and British Prince Andrew were among the names listed, according to documents.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
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