On Thursday, the Department of Justice initiated the first phase of releasing the Epstein files, a move that has been long-awaited by many.
The documents, albeit heavily redacted, were initially distributed in binders to a select group of conservative influencers at the White House. Several hours later, these files were made available online, marking a significant moment in the ongoing saga surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.
According to RedState, the DOJ's press release later that day acknowledged that much of the information had previously been leaked but never officially released by the U.S. Government. This revelation raises questions about the transparency and handling of the Epstein investigation.
Moreover, it was alleged that there was some interference from the FBI prior to the release, with Attorney General Pam Bondi discovering "thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein that were not previously disclosed." She subsequently ordered the FBI to deliver these documents to her by 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday.
The release, however, left much to be desired, and the reaction from mainstream media outlets was telling. Many of these outlets, which had either ignored the Epstein story for years or felt slighted by the Trump administration, seized the opportunity to criticize the release and those involved.
CNN's Brian Stelter was particularly vocal, taking to Twitter to claim that years of "conspiracy theories" promoted by "irresponsible" conservatives were beginning to "unravel" following Thursday's events. Stelter's comments were met with skepticism, given his own history of promoting questionable narratives, such as the "missing Melania Trump" conspiracy theory.
The irony of Stelter's remarks was not lost on observers, who pointed out the mainstream media's own track record with conspiracy theories. From the "hands up, don't shoot" narrative to the Russia collusion story, the media has often been quick to jump on stories that align with their biases, only to later backtrack when the facts emerge. As one Twitter user noted, the media's history with stories like the Covington kids, Jussie Smollett, and the Hunter Biden laptop should give them pause before lecturing others on conspiracy theories.
The alleged withholding of documents by the FBI before the confirmation of Kash Patel as a key figure in the investigation only adds fuel to the fire of those who believe a government cover-up is at play. This development suggests that there may be more to the story than what has been publicly disclosed, lending credence to the theory that certain elements within the government have been less than forthcoming.
While the mainstream media continues to focus on discrediting conservative voices, the real issue remains the lack of transparency and accountability in the handling of the Epstein files. The American public deserves answers, and the release of these documents, though incomplete, is a step in the right direction. However, it is clear that more work needs to be done to uncover the full truth behind the Epstein case.
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