US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington. Photo: VCG

US billionaire Elon Musk slammed US President Donald Trump's claim that the "Epstein Files" are a leftist-created hoax posting a series of social media messages on Wednesday, according to New York-based news outlet The Daily Beast, which called Musk "among the loudest voices refusing to let the White House silence the Epstein story."

In a meeting earlier that day with Bahrain's Prime Minister, Trump characterized the Epstein files as "a big hoax," claiming they were "started by Democrats… run by Democrats for four years" and "perpetrated by the Democrats," according to a CNBC Television video. His comments immediately drew backlash, with Musk emerging as a prominent critic.

According to The Daily Beast, Musk posted about Epstein 13 times in just over an hour on Wednesday, with each post either criticizing Trump or endorsing criticisms of the president's handling of the Epstein controversy. Among them, Musk referenced Epstein's longtime associate: "Wow, amazing that Epstein 'killed himself' and Ghislaine is in federal prison for a hoax."

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former confidante, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2022 for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein's abuse. She is currently being held in federal prison in Florida and has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to vacate her 2021 conviction, NBC News reported.

Musk wrote minutes later that "Not a single Epstein client has been prosecuted…Not even one." In response to a separate post, Musk added, "So many powerful people want that list suppressed." The Daily Beast noted that Musk was likely referring to the rumored "Epstein client list," which Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously claimed was "on her desk." However, the Trump administration later denied the existence of such a list.

The Daily Beast also cited influencer Kaizen Asiedu, who posted: "Trump indicated he'd release the Epstein Files. Trump's team hyped the release. Trump's team fumbled the release. Yet Trump is blaming the Democrats and insulting his supporters for the consequences of his actions." Musk replied, "The old: 1. Admit nothing 2. Deny everything 3. Make counterclaims. But it won't work this time."

Tensions between Trump and Musk escalated in early June, when Musk accused the US president of concealing details of the Epstein investigation due to his alleged inclusion in the "Epstein Files." "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files," Musk posted at the time. "That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!"

Controversy deepened further over the weekend, when Trump posted on Truth Social in defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying she "is doing a FANTASTIC JOB," and urging MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporters to let go of the Epstein Files, which he claimed were "created" by several former Democratic politicians. He warned his followers not to "waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein." The post sparked backlash in US media and sowed distrust among Trump's core supporters.

NBC News reported that "no other issue has tested the MAGA base's commitment to Trump like the Epstein Files." The outlet quoted one MAGA-aligned thought leader saying, "The Trump administration made overtures that they were serious about this. But six months in and kind of trying to tie a bow around it, it's just not satisfying. That's not going to sit well."

On Wednesday, Trump doubled down, again posting on Truth Social that the Epstein "hoax" was "created by Democrats," and that his "PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit.'" He added, "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats' work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!"

Trump's message on Wednesday was a significant escalation, reflecting that his supporters aren't all following his lead and adopting his messaging as they usually do, NBC News noted.

According to the Daily Beast, Epstein — once referred to by Trump in audio footage as "his closest friend" — was a familiar figure in Trump's social circles, with the two frequently photographed together in New York and Palm Beach during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to declassify the Epstein Files, including any associated "list." 

However, shortly after the Fourth of July weekend, the Department of Justice released a memo concluding that a "systematic review" of the Epstein case found "no incriminating 'client list'" and no evidence of blackmail involving powerful individuals, The Guardian reported.

The release then triggered turmoil within MAGA circles. According to The Guardian, some of Trump's most loyal supporters are now openly accusing his administration of participating in a cover-up. The outcry has led to calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi's resignation over her role in handling the case. 

Global Times