No, Trump Didn’t Ask for an “Epstein Special Prosecutor.”
But he did call the case a “hoax,” rip into his own supporters, and shrug, “It’s boring.”
Curious yet? Here’s how a single unproven quote sprinted around the internet, collided with several hard facts, and left a trail of confusion about Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, and a supposed new investigation.
The Viral Claim vs. Reality
Claim that lit the fuse:
“Trump tells John Solomon he wants a special prosecutor to probe the ‘Jeffrey Epstein hoax.’”
What our digging found:
There is no evidence—no video, audio, transcript, press-pool note, or even an off-the-record whisper—showing Trump ever said it. John Solomon and conservative pundits have certainly floated the idea of a Bondi-appointed prosecutor, but the words never came from Trump’s mouth.
Verdict: Unsubstantiated. Until a recording appears, file it under “still looking.”
So What Did Trump Really Say About Epstein?
Over a frantic 48-hour stretch in mid-July 2025, the former president managed to:
-
Brand the entire Epstein saga a “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”
Truth Social post, 16 July 2025.
Source: Al Jazeera -
Call his own believers “weaklings” who got “duped.”
Same post; reproduced by Newsmax and others. -
Tell reporters the case is “sordid but boring” and he can’t fathom the interest.
Tarmac gaggle, Joint Base Andrews, 15 July 2025.
Source: RealClearPolitics video -
Lament in the Oval Office that he’d “lost faith” in some supporters over the issue.
16 July 2025 pool spray.
Source: Washington Post
In short: plenty of fire-breathing quotes, but none about appointing a special prosecutor.
Where the Rumor Was Born
The confusion traces back to a 14 July 2025 segment on Real America’s Voice. John Solomon, citing unnamed FBI sources, said a “grand-conspiracy” inquiry had opened and speculated that it “could allow Attorney General Pam Bondi to tap a special prosecutor.” Steve Bannon loved the idea, listeners ran with it, and within hours blog headlines morphed speculation into “Trump orders special prosecutor.”
Important nuance:
• Solomon ≠ Trump.
• Speculation ≠ announcement.
Confirmed Facts the Original Story Got Right
Even flawed articles can contain accurate pieces. Here are the elements that check out:
- Trump’s public mockery of the Epstein investigation is fully documented (see quotes above).
- DOJ memo (7 July 2025) again ruled Epstein’s jail death a suicide and said there is no “client list.”
Source: WUNC / NPR - Ghislaine Maxwell’s status: 20-year sentence, FCI Tallahassee, release date July 2037.
Source: Reuters - DOJ under AG Pam Bondi is indeed trying to shut the door on further Epstein document dumps—sparking fury among MAGA die-hards.
Source: Politico
Claims Still in the Fog
| Claim | Status | Why We’re Not Sure Yet |
|---|---|---|
| White House “dismissed any notion” of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell | Not confirmed | No on-record statement found in July 2025 briefings |
| Trump personally requested a special prosecutor | Unsubstantiated | Zero primary evidence; rumor originated with pundits |
If you stumble on a recording that flips these boxes to “confirmed,” our inbox is open.
Why This Matters
-
Information Cascades: A single speculative remark can snowball into “breaking news” once repeated enough times—especially on social media built for speed, not accuracy.
-
Political Whiplash: Trump’s base has long believed the Epstein files might expose a bipartisan web of elites. Hearing their champion suddenly call it “boring” and a “hoax” was a gut punch; the false promise of a special prosecutor briefly offered hope, then vanished.
-
Trust Erosion: Each viral misquote chips away at public faith—either in Trump, in media, or in both. People end up asking, “Who’s lying to me today?”
A Peek Inside the Fact-Check Toolbox
To separate rumor from reality we:
- Searched C-SPAN, Factba.se, and White House press logs for any trace of Solomon-Trump interviews—came up empty.
- Cross-referenced quotes with AP, Reuters, and pool transcripts to ensure wording matched.
- Ran simple keyword searches on Truth Social captures for “Epstein Hoax” to verify timestamps.
- Checked the DOJ press-office email archive for statements on Maxwell clemency—none surfaced.
Transparency note: Should a new audio file emerge later, we’ll update.
Takeaways for Readers
• Double-check the speaker. Headlines often blur “X said” into “Y suggested.”
• Follow the source chain. If five sites cite each other but no one links primary evidence, beware.
• Remember that “unverified” is not “false”—it just means we don’t know yet.
Quick FAQ
Q: Is there any new investigation into Epstein’s network at all?
A: The FBI’s “grand-conspiracy” case Solomon talked about is reported but not publicly confirmed. Even if it exists, it was not requested by Trump.
Q: Could Trump still appoint a special prosecutor later?
A: In theory, sure; legally possible. But as of today, there is no announcement.
Q: Did Trump really say he no longer wants support from believers in an Epstein cover-up?
A: Yes. His Truth Social rant on 16 July 2025 reads: “Let these weaklings continue forward … I don’t want their support anymore!”
The Bottom Line
The internet’s latest “bombshell” about Trump ordering an Epstein special prosecutor turns out to be a dud. What’s real is far stranger: a former president publicly scolding his own loyalists for caring about a case he now calls dull—while the Justice Department he once championed quietly slams the archive door shut.
Stay curious, stay skeptical, and keep following the receipts.