US Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged that the Trump administration mishandled the communication surrounding the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying the rollout was poorly handled while rejecting allegations that officials were attempting to conceal information.
Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast released on Wednesday, Vance admitted that the administration failed in its messaging over the Epstein files but denied that the confusion was the result of a cover-up.
"I say this with all candor, like we absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files, like we just did," Vance said when asked whether there had been "undue influence" in keeping the files under wraps.
"But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No," he added.
Vance said the administration should have released the material immediately rather than allowing uncertainty and speculation to build around the process.
"If people want to say we mishandled the Epstein release, guilty. We did mishandle it, especially the communications of it," he said.
"I think that we should have just dropped everything at the very beginning.
We should have just done it as quickly as possible," he added.
During the interview, Vance also discussed speculation surrounding Epstein's alleged connections with intelligence organisations. When host Joe Rogan raised theories involving Israel's Mossad, Vance responded, "Yeah, Mossad or CIA or some other deep state."
"He clearly had connections to the upper, the highest levels of American intelligence. He clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence," Vance said, though he did not provide evidence to support the claims.
Vance attributed much of the confusion around the release to remarks made by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had indicated that a supposed Epstein "client list" was on her desk.
He also referred to binders titled "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" and "Declassified", which were distributed to conservative influencers in February 2025. According to Vance, the documents contained little new information and created further distrust about the government's handling of the matter.
"I don't know what the purpose of it was, but I know the effect of it was to make people mistrust the entire effort," Vance said.
While defending Bondi's intentions, Vance said she had exaggerated the extent of the material available to the government.
"I know Pam. I like Pam. I don't think there was anything malicious going on."
"I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn't have," he added.
The US vice president also defended President Donald Trump against accusations that he attempted to block the release of Epstein-related documents. Vance argued that Trump would have been able to prevent Congress from compelling the Justice Department to disclose the files if he had wanted to do so.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender known for his associations with powerful figures, was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty and died in a New York jail while awaiting trial. His death was officially ruled a suicide by hanging, though it has continued to attract public scrutiny.
The Justice Department began releasing documents connected to its Epstein investigations in late December after lawmakers approved a measure requiring their disclosure. The released material included photographs, call records, grand jury testimony and interview transcripts.
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