Don’t Be Fooled, This Epstein “Transparency” Is Pure Political Theater
I hope I'm Wrong!
By Brandon Tatum
Breaking news (minutes ago): Trump posted on Truth Social that he’s “asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony” related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case, pending court approval. Some faithful MAGA folks are already calling it a win for “truth and transparency.” But I'm not sure if I’m buying it this time. This seems like the same soup warmed over. I tell people this all the time. I was born during the day, but not yesterday. I am not easily tricked twice. But like I said in the title, I hope I’m wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am. And I know a lot of y’all agree with me.
1. Déjà Vu Theater
Remember the “Epstein Files: Phase 1” binders earlier this year? Bondi passed them out to conservative influencers with redacted contact books, flight logs, and redacted evidence lists. A big, collective “meh”—most content was public or decades-old. This was less about clarity and more about optics: celebrity influencers posing with binders, pretending we got something juicy. But we didn’t. And now? We’re potentially back in act two—except it’s the SAME play.
2. The “Client List” Mirage
Bondi once teased a “client list” sitting on her desk, only to have the DOJ and FBI later confirm that no such list exists. So the administration pivoted, saying “all files on Epstein” instead. Politics 101: When you can’t deliver what you promised, redefine the promise. But grand jury transcripts—if released—will likely focus narrowly on Epstein and Maxwell, with nothing relevant and juicy like people are expecting to see. It's literally starting off as a complete letdown if you pay close enough attention.
3. Too Little, Too Late
These files would have been dropped years ago if transparency were the goal. Instead, this moment comes only now—under pressure from Trump’s base—and after a leaked DOJ memo found no evidence of a client list or blackmail scheme. Now Bondi is “ready to petition the court,” like a PR pivot to ease the heat.
4. Trust Your Gut
Here’s the deal: if there were bombshell evidence implicating Trump, his allies, and Mossad, those transcripts would stay sealed in Fort Knox. This feels more like a diversion—another attempt to placate the base. You’re allowed to feel underwhelmed. MAGA insiders are already calling it a classic “nice try”—a feint meant to pacify.
Why This Actually Matters (…sort of)
It’s not the headline issue. Inflation, infrastructure, and national security still dwarf this noise. However, the Epstein files matter as a symbol: are we a transparent society, or just a stage for spectacle?
If there’s even a whiff of wrongdoing hidden here, it’s emblematic of a broader issue: burying inconvenient truths. Whether it’s files on pedophiles or government malpractice, hiding documents erodes trust.
I didn’t expect a bombshell, but I also don’t think this is nothing. If it were, they wouldn’t dial the PR machine.
Final Word
Temper your hype. History suggests this will flop—another sanitized, heavily redacted pass at transparency that leaves the public hanging. Then it disappears into the memory hole. They stir expectations, drop crumbs, and let us stew while the next crisis takes center stage.
This isn’t accountability—it’s carefully curated PR, in my personal opinion. However, I will be honored to be proven wrong, and I will gladly write another op-ed touting what an amazing job Trump did this time around.
Brandon Tatum
Former Police Officer
The Officer Tatum
After watching your episode on YouTube last night about Epstein I agree we should wait and see how this plays out! I think records were destroyed before the 2024 election. And if Trump’s name was in the list of visitors to the island the Dems would’ve made sure the world knew!
Officer Tatum, I agree with everything you've written here except this one thing: "Here’s the deal: if there were bombshell evidence implicating Trump, his allies, and Mossad, those transcripts would stay sealed in Fort Knox."
Since the Biden administration had the Epstein files long before the Trump administration did, I think that if there were anything in them implicating President Trump and his allies, it would have been publicized by the Biden administration for political gain. Of course, I could be wrong, but I can't imagine the same people who concocted Crossfire Hurricane and all of the other false information and influence campaigns and lawfare against Trump and his allies would not have used every bit of the Epstein files to their political advantage.