The 2019 death in jail of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier with connections to some of the world’s most powerful individuals and who was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, has long been a source of fascination and conspiracy theories, particularly among the right. Some believed he was murdered to conceal a “list” of his high-profile co-conspirators, despite consistent indications to the contrary from long-time observers.
President Donald Trump stated during his 2024 campaign that he would publicly release such documents if re-elected. However, after he returned to office, his Administration handled the so-called “Epstein Files” by releasing a collection of records that were mostly already public, even though Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously claimed the client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.”
Bondi at the time criticized the failure to adhere to her directive to provide the “full and complete” set of Epstein-related documents in the government’s possession. Since then, right-wing conspiracy theorists have denounced FBI Director and Deputy Director, both of whom had previously promoted Epstein-related conspiracy theories, for allegedly submitting to the so-called “Deep State” after assuming their positions.
Following a discussion with Trump at the end of May, Elon Musk fueled further conspiracy theories and calls for transparency when he alleged that Trump was implicated in unreleased Epstein files. “That is the real reason they have not been made public,” Musk wrote in an X post. (Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein.)
However, a new Justice Department and FBI memo, acquired by TIME and ABC News, aims to put the Epstein conspiracy theories to rest. It asserts that there is no evidence that the man who “harmed over one thousand victims” was murdered, engaged in blackmail, or maintained a client list. The memo referenced and provided links on the justice.gov website to video footage of the Manhattan facility where Epstein was detained when he died.
The Justice Department and FBI did not immediately confirm or deny the authenticity of the memo, which was unsigned and undated. TIME has reached out to both agencies for comment.
“One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims,” the memo stated. “Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.”
“We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,” the memo also stated, adding that “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.”
Already, the memo has provoked strong reactions on the right. “So Epstein was trafficking these underage girls to nobody? Is Pam Bondi serious?” conservative activist Robby Starbuck posted on X. “What Epstein and his ilk did was pure evil and this memo attempts to just close the book on it like there’s no one else involved.”
“At this point, it goes FAR beyond simply being DUPED…” commented The Patriot Voice founder John Sabal, also known as QAnon John. “This is the Trump Administration SPITTING IN EVERYONE’S FACE & CURB STOMPING MAGA/EPSTEIN VICTIMS.”
