Full Breakdown
Trump Scolds Charlie Kirk Over Epstein Grievance Fest at Turning Point USA Event
6/13/2026, 2:33:22 AM
Background
The Jeffrey Epstein files have become a flashpoint for the Trump administration. Critics within the president’s base have pressed for the Justice Department to release additional documents, while Attorney General Pam Bondi faced public criticism for her statements about the files.
Key Figures
- Donald Trump – President, scolded Kirk.
- Charlie Kirk – Turning Point USA founder, hosted rally, urged file release.
- Pam Bondi – Former Attorney General, defended by Trump.
- Tucker Carlson & Megyn Kelly – Former Fox News hosts, joined Kirk’s calls.
- Donald Trump Jr. & JD Vance – Younger-base leaders supporting Kirk.
- Dan Bongino – Former Deputy FBI Director, warned of political fallout.
Timeline
- July 11, 2025 – Turning Point USA event led by Kirk devolved into speakers criticizing Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files.
- July 12, 2025 – Trump posted on Truth Social defending Bondi and urging supporters to stop “wasting Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.” He later called Kirk, scolding him and saying he was “very unhappy” with Kirk, Carlson and Kelly.
Official Statements
Trump’s Truth Social post defended Bondi and urged the base to shift attention away from the Epstein issue. Internal briefings noted he described himself as “very unhappy” with influential supporters pressing for file releases.
Criticism & Internal Dissent
Kirk, described as “more attuned to the younger MAGA base,” warned that the perceived Epstein cover-up alarmed younger voters. He, Donald Trump Jr., and JD Vance urged the administration to pressure the Justice Department for further disclosures. The grievance fest at the Turning Point rally highlighted fractures within the coalition.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source cites Trump’s post urging “boys” and “gals” to stop wasting time, while another emphasizes “Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.” The phone call with Kirk is reported only as a scolding, with no transcript. No public response from Bondi is documented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She was the one on TV saying over and over they had all this stuff. There was never anything. We were always clear about that. But now everyone thinks we did something wrong. And I gave up everything.” — Dan Bongino, to Susie Wiles
- “This is going to be President Trump's Iran-contra,” — Dan Bongino, reported remark
- “Trump had called Kirk and scolded him.” — Donald Trump, phone call with Charlie Kirk
What’s Next
The account appears in the forthcoming book *Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump*, based on more than 1,000 interviews, and may shape future handling of the Epstein files controversy within the Republican base.
