On May 18, 2025, FBI Director
Kash Patel and Deputy Director
Dan Bongino appeared on Fox Business's Sunday Morning Futures and stated Jeffrey Epstein killed himself, not murdered.
Patel told host Maria Bartiromo: 'You know a suicide when you see one, and that's what that was.' Bongino said: 'He killed himself. I've seen the whole file.'
The statements triggered immediate backlash from MAGA influencers. Podcast host Joe Oltmann called Bongino 'not an honorable person.' Influencer Mindy Robinson labeled them 'sell-outs.'
On Jun. 6, 2025, Patel appeared on
Joe Rogan Experience podcast #2334 and reiterated that FBI evidence showed Epstein's death was suicide, promising to release footage.
On Jul. 7, 2025, the DOJ and FBI released a joint memo stating there was no Epstein client list and no evidence he blackmailed prominent people, contradicting years of conspiracy claims.
Alex Jones broke down crying on his show, speculating Patel and Bongino were 'being tortured' and 'losing their souls on live TV.'
Laura Loomer called for a special counsel to investigate. She told Politico that Attorney General
Pam Bondi had not been transparent in handling Epstein files.
On Jul. 11, 2025, Fox News host Laura Ingraham was booed at the Turning Point USA conference in Tampa when she asked if attendees were satisfied with the Epstein investigation results.
Both Patel and Bongino had previously promoted Epstein conspiracy theories before becoming FBI leadership. Patel told Congress to 'put on your big boy pants' and release information.
