Sep 17, 2025 - Politics & Policy

FBI director says he's never spoken to Trump about the Epstein files

April Rubin

Kash Patel speaking in a blue jacket, white shirt and red tie — FBI director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 16 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

FBI director Kash Patel said he's never spoken to President Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein files during congressional testimony on Wednesday.

Why it matters: Democrats largely focused on Epstein, a convicted sex offender, in their line of questioning, criticizing Patel for refusing to release all of the materials in the FBI's possession.

Patel blamed recent court orders for barring him from releasing Epstein-related FBI documents.

Driving the news: Patel on Wednesday told Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) that Trump was never an FBI informant in the Epstein case.

Patel also said to Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) that he didn't know how many times Trump's name appears in the Epstein files. He said there were no photos showing Trump with girls of an "uncertain age."

Catch up quick: Patel also testified on Tuesday, when he said there was "no credible information" that Epstein trafficked minors to others.

House Democrats earlier this month released a page that Trump allegedly wrote in a birthday book for Epstein in 2003 with a lewd drawing of the outline of a woman's body.

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FBI director says he's never spoken to Trump about the Epstein files

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