By — Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-administration-screwed-up-epstein-files-communication-vance-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump administration 'screwed up' Epstein files communication, Vance says Politics Jul 15, 2026 5:21 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says the administration "absolutely" mishandled the communications surrounding the Epstein files and its contents. WATCH: House lawmakers speak ahead of Kathy Ruemmler interview in Epstein probe During a lengthy podcast interview with Joe Rogan released Wednesday, Vance pointed largely to former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who infamously stated that an alleged "client list" of Epstein's was "sitting on my desk right now." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. In addition to those comments, the Justice Department under Bondi had also offered conservative commentators and influencers binders that were called "The Epstein files: Phase 1″ and "Declassified." "I know Pam. I like Pam. I don't think there was anything malicious going on," Vance told Rogan. "I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn't have." WATCH: Blanche defends his handling of Epstein files As a result, Vance said, Bondi was "roasted" publicly for it and led people to "mistrust" the administration's transparency efforts on the Epstein files. "We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files. Like, we just did," Vance said. "But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says the administration "absolutely" mishandled the communications surrounding the Epstein files and its contents. WATCH: House lawmakers speak ahead of Kathy Ruemmler interview in Epstein probe During a lengthy podcast interview with Joe Rogan released Wednesday, Vance pointed largely to former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who infamously stated that an alleged "client list" of Epstein's was "sitting on my desk right now." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. In addition to those comments, the Justice Department under Bondi had also offered conservative commentators and influencers binders that were called "The Epstein files: Phase 1″ and "Declassified." "I know Pam. I like Pam. I don't think there was anything malicious going on," Vance told Rogan. "I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn't have." WATCH: Blanche defends his handling of Epstein files As a result, Vance said, Bondi was "roasted" publicly for it and led people to "mistrust" the administration's transparency efforts on the Epstein files. "We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files. Like, we just did," Vance said. "But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now