Then-Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel were said to be at odds as the release faltered. Bondi claimed files sat on her desk; Patel was blamed for delays. Congress later ordered 3.5 million pages released in November 2025, while a July DOJ memo said it found no incriminating "client list" or credible evidence of Epstein blackmailing prominent figures.
Carlson did not interview Maxwell and reportedly clashed with the president, who dismissed him with harsh words. Transcripts released in summer 2025 show Maxwell told Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche she never witnessed wrongdoing by Trump nor heard allegations about him.