Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO Charlie Kirk said Monday that he is “done talking about Epstein for the time being,” following a wave of backlash directed at the Trump administration over a Justice Department memo on Jeffrey Epstein’s death and alleged client network.
Why It Matters
The Epstein case continues to stir public distrust in government institutions and remains a lightning rod in American politics. Tensions resurfaced after a DOJ-FBI memo released last week concluded that Epstein died by suicide and that no client list or blackmail materials exist—directly contradicting years of speculation and public demands for transparency.
The memo sparked criticism from both Trump supporters and opponents, reigniting debate over the government’s handling of the case and straining relationships within conservative ranks. Prominent figures like Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino have come under increased scrutiny, though Trump has publicly stood by them.
What Happened
Kirk addressed the controversy on his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, following Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit in Florida over the weekend.
“Plenty was said this last weekend at our event about Epstein,” Kirk said. “Honestly, I’m done talking about Epstein for the time being. I’m going to trust my friends in the administration, I’m going to trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done… The ball’s in their hands.”
Kirk acknowledged the intense interest the topic received at the summit but said his focus was shifting to other pressing global issues like Ukraine and NATO.
He added:
“Everyone knows my opinion about the Epstein thing, the messaging fumble. I’d love to see the DOJ move to unseal the grand jury testimony… but I’m going to trust people like Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Pam Bondi, Todd Blanche. I’ve said what I needed to say for now.”
According to CNN, President Trump called Kirk over the weekend to express support for Bondi amid growing internal GOP divisions over the fallout.
Kirk has previously demanded the release of Epstein-related documents, calling them essential to exposing corruption among the billionaire elite. He has also argued that reelecting Trump would be the most effective way to ensure that truth is brought to light.
What People Are Saying
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries voiced strong criticism Monday, framing the Epstein scandal as a test of transparency:
“What is the Trump administration hiding? Either they’ve lied about Epstein for years, or they’re covering up something deeply damaging. It’s one or the other.”
Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet clarified Kirk’s comments in a statement to Newsweek, saying:
“Charlie didn’t say he was done talking about Epstein permanently. He said ‘for the time being.’ He feels confident the administration heard the concerns raised by the base and is hopeful a shift in approach is coming.”
Kirk also posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is such a lame, non-controversy. We talked about Epstein at SAS. I laid out how the messaging failed and made clear that the base isn’t just going to forget it. Now, I’m giving the administration space to act. The ball is in their court. I’m confident a solution is coming.”
He followed the post by quoting his podcast remarks in full.
What’s Next
The fallout from the DOJ memo—and the Trump administration’s response—continues to shape the conversation within conservative media and among Republican voters. Whether the government moves to unseal more records or reopens elements of the case may influence how long the issue remains a political flashpoint.
Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and senior campaign adviser, has also hinted that more developments on the Epstein front could be coming soon.
