Trump Officials Weigh Epstein Strategy at VP Vance’s Residence

Top Trump administration officials are expected to gather Wednesday evening at Vice President JD Vance’s residence to discuss the next steps in their handling of the Epstein investigation—particularly whether to release audio and transcripts from a recent interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

Sources tell CNN the dinner will include Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—who personally interviewed Maxwell at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Tallahassee last month. The conversation covered over 10 hours of audio, according to officials, with sensitive portions still being reviewed and redacted by the Department of Justice.

A key decision looming: whether to release the material to the public. While discussions remain ongoing, two officials said a release could come as soon as this week. Others say it may be weeks before the final decision is made.

The administration has also floated the idea of Blanche giving a press conference or appearing on a popular platform—possibly even Joe Rogan’s podcast, according to three sources. Rogan has previously criticized the administration for its lack of transparency on the Epstein files.

However, Vance’s office denied the meeting altogether, calling CNN’s reporting false. “There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice President’s residence to discuss Epstein strategy,” said Vance communications director William Martin.

Meanwhile, survivors of Epstein’s abuse are speaking out. The family of Virginia Giuffre—who died by suicide earlier this year—released a statement condemning the lack of survivor representation at the planned gathering. “Their voices must be heard, above all,” they wrote.

The House Oversight Committee also stepped up pressure this week, issuing nearly a dozen subpoenas to both the DOJ and political figures across party lines, signaling bipartisan concern over the case.

Trump, for his part, has continued to defend Blanche’s meeting with Maxwell. “We’d like to release everything,” the president said Friday. “But we don’t want people to get hurt that shouldn’t be hurt.”

Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence, was recently transferred from a Florida federal prison to a lower-security facility in Texas—a rare move for someone convicted of sex crimes. Her legal team continues to appeal her conviction.

While the administration insists no clemency is under consideration for Maxwell, Trump has left the door open. “I’m allowed to do it,” he told Newsmax, “but I haven’t spoken to Blanche about it.”

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