Former Attorney General William Barr has acknowledged discussing Jeffrey Epstein with Donald Trump on at least two occasions following Epstein’s death in federal custody. The disclosure, released as part of Barr’s deposition, has renewed scrutiny over the Department of Justice’s handling of Epstein’s case and the official conclusion that his death was a suicide. House Oversight Chair James Comer has now demanded unredacted records from Epstein’s estate, intensifying the political and legal spotlight.
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Deposition Released by Comer
House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) released Barr’s complete deposition alongside letters from former attorneys general Alberto Gonzales and Jeff Sessions, both of whom denied any relevant knowledge. The committee has formally requested financial and travel records from Epstein’s estate as part of its inquiry.
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First Call on Suicide
Barr recounted that his first conversation with Trump occurred shortly after Epstein’s reported suicide. “One was when I heard about the suicide,” Barr stated. He said he immediately called Trump, warning him: “You’d better brace for this.” According to Barr, both he and Trump reacted with shock, questioning how Epstein could have died under federal supervision.
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Trump’s Reaction and Concern
Barr said Trump echoed his alarm, asking: “How the hell did that happen? He’s in federal custody?” Barr added that he assured the president the Justice Department would investigate thoroughly. Both men anticipated conspiracy theories would quickly surface around Epstein’s death.
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Second Call on Ties
In a later call, Trump distanced himself from Epstein. According to Barr, Trump said he had cut off ties years earlier and removed Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. Barr recalled the president’s words: “He had actually pushed him out of Mar-a-Lago.”
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DOJ and FBI Findings
A joint memo from the DOJ and FBI concluded Epstein died by suicide, though the finding has long faced public skepticism. Critics have questioned the management of Epstein’s custody and records, fueling ongoing controversy despite official conclusions.
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White House Response
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson reinforced Trump’s version of events. “It’s not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep,” she said. Jackson further accused Democrats and the media of ignoring Epstein’s victims for years while claiming Trump pushed for transparency.