President Donald Trump privately expressed displeasure to conservative activist Charlie Kirk in 2025 over Kirk’s criticisms concerning the administration’s management of Jeffrey Epstein-related records, according to details from an upcoming book. The account is featured in "Regime Change," a book by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, which details internal White House discussions and political tensions surrounding the controversy.
"Trump had called Kirk and scolded him" — The New Republic (referencing Haberman and Swan's book)
The reported rebuke stemmed from a period where the Justice Department and FBI concluded there was no evidence of a so-called Epstein “client list” or credible evidence of blackmail against prominent individuals by the late financier. These findings generated considerable backlash among some conservative commentators and activists, who contended that additional government records should be made public to ensure full transparency.
According to "Regime Change," Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, hosted an event in July 2025. During this event, attendees voiced criticism of then-Attorney General Pam Bondi and questioned the administration's approach to disclosing Epstein-related information. President Trump reportedly grew frustrated with several influential supporters, including Kirk, believing their criticisms were fueling claims that the government was withholding crucial information. The book states that President Trump subsequently called Kirk to convey his displeasure over the public criticism.
Days following this reported conversation, Kirk publicly indicated a shift in his stance on the issue. During a July 2025 broadcast, Kirk stated, "Honestly, I’m done talking about Epstein for the time being," adding that he trusted administration officials to handle the matter. Tragically, Kirk was assassinated during a Turning Point USA event in Utah in September 2025. Authorities arrested a suspect in connection with the case, and criminal proceedings are currently ongoing.
The book further details a Situation Room meeting that took place without President Trump’s presence. Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Todd Blanche, and other senior officials reportedly participated in this meeting. Discussions centered on strategies to address the growing discontent from segments of the administration’s political base regarding the Epstein investigation.
During this meeting, Vice President Vance reportedly advocated for the release of additional records, suggesting it could demonstrate transparency and alleviate public suspicion. He also proposed other measures, such as increased public engagement by Justice Department officials and broader disclosure efforts, potentially pre-empting congressional demands for releases. Other officials voiced concerns that continued controversy could generate negative headlines and divert attention from other administration priorities. Todd Blanche, according to the authors, proposed pursuing the release of additional court records related to Epstein.
Following these internal discussions, the administration reportedly pursued legal avenues aimed at unsealing certain documents. Months later, Congress passed legislation mandating greater transparency concerning Epstein-related records, which led to the subsequent release of additional materials, albeit with redactions.
The book also touches upon discussions involving Ghislaine Maxwell, an Epstein associate who is currently serving a prison sentence following her conviction on federal sex trafficking charges. Officials reportedly debated the potential legal and public relations implications of obtaining testimony from Maxwell regarding Epstein and his associates, as cited by the Daily Mail. White House advisers, according to the authors, expressed concerns that any perceived favorable treatment toward Maxwell could provoke public backlash and undermine the administration's public messaging.
White House officials have defended President Trump’s handling of the Epstein matter. In a statement cited by the authors, spokesperson Abigail Jackson affirmed that President Trump had been "totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein" and highlighted the administration’s document releases and legislative actions as evidence of its commitment to transparency. The relationship between Charlie Kirk and President Trump reportedly experienced increasing tension in the final months of Kirk's life.
