In a stunning revelation, former Attorney General William Barr recently shared details of his conversations with then-President Donald Trump about the shocking death of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 while in federal custody.
According to The Hill, this testimony, given last month before a House panel and released publicly on Tuesday, highlighted discussions about Epstein’s apparent suicide, the potential for conspiracy theories, and Trump’s past ties to the financier.
Barr testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, recounting his interactions with Trump following Epstein’s death. Epstein, a financier with high-profile connections, was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. Authorities later concluded that his death was a suicide, a finding that has since stirred controversy.
The first conversation between Barr and Trump took place immediately after Barr learned of Epstein’s passing. Barr recalled reaching out to Trump with a pointed warning. “I called him up and said, ‘You better brace for this,’” Barr stated during his testimony.
During that initial call, both Barr and Trump expressed disbelief at the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death. Barr noted Trump’s reaction mirrored his own surprise. “He had the same reaction I did, which was, ‘How the hell did that happen, he’s in federal custody?’” Barr recounted.
Barr also shared that he and Trump discussed the likelihood of public speculation following the incident. He conveyed to Trump his concern about the fallout. “This is going to certainly generate a lot of conspiracy theories,” Barr remembered telling Trump.
In a subsequent conversation, Trump brought up his prior relationship with Epstein. He emphasized that their association had ended years earlier. Barr recalled Trump saying he had distanced himself significantly from Epstein.
Trump specifically mentioned an incident at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, as part of their falling out. “The president said something to the effect that he had broken off with Epstein long ago and that he had actually pushed him out of Mar-a-Lago,” Barr testified. Trump has publicly stated that he hadn’t spoken to Epstein in 15 years by the time of the financier’s death.
Trump has also claimed that part of their rift involved ejecting Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for inappropriate behavior, including attempting to recruit staff from the property. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson echoed this sentiment in a recent statement. “It’s not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep,” Jackson said.
In July, a joint memo from the Justice Department and the FBI reaffirmed that Epstein’s death was a suicide. However, this conclusion has faced skepticism from many, particularly among Trump’s supporters. Critics have voiced suspicions of foul play, fueling ongoing debates about the circumstances of Epstein’s demise.
The full transcript of Barr’s deposition, provided last month, was made public on Tuesday by House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky. This release has offered a deeper look into the high-level discussions that followed Epstein’s death. Alongside the transcript, letters from former Trump Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Jeff Sessions were also disclosed, both denying any pertinent knowledge related to the federal probe into Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
On the same day, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee sent a formal request to Epstein’s estate for access to comprehensive, unredacted documents. These documents include cash ledgers, message logs, calendars, and flight records. Committee staff have already reviewed some of these materials in private sessions.
The release of Barr’s testimony and related materials has reignited public interest in Epstein’s case and the federal government’s handling of it. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson framed the disclosure as part of a larger push for openness. “Democrats and the media knew about Epstein and his victims for years and did nothing to help them while President Trump was calling for transparency, and is now delivering on it with thousands of pages of documents,” she stated.
The Epstein saga continues to raise questions about accountability and the extent of his network. Many are eager to see what additional details might emerge from the requested records. The controversy surrounding his death remains a focal point of public discourse. As new information comes to light, the public’s fascination with Epstein’s story shows no sign of waning. The House committee’s ongoing investigation may yet uncover more insights. For now, Barr’s testimony provides a rare glimpse into the immediate reactions at the highest levels of government.