BY Benjamin ClarkAugust 2, 2025
7 months ago
BY 
 | August 2, 2025
7 months ago

Trump says he is in favor of Epstein file release, hesitates on Diddy pardon

President Donald Trump is stirring the pot again, vowing to unseal all government files on Jeffrey Epstein while treading cautiously to shield the innocent, as the New York Post reports. His Friday Newsmax interview dropped this bombshell, alongside a pointed reluctance to pardon Sean “Diddy” Combs, recently convicted on prostitution charges. The conservative base is buzzing, but the left’s already crying foul over selective transparency.

Trump says he wants to lay bare every document tied to Epstein, the financier who died in a Manhattan jail in 2019, officially by suicide, while awaiting trial for child sex trafficking.

This follows a nine-hour grilling of Ghislaine Maxwell by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 25, at a Florida federal prison. Maxwell, serving 20 years for sex trafficking and now in a minimum-security Texas facility, hasn’t prompted any pardon requests, Trump says.

“I want to release everything,” Trump told Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, a pledge that sounds bold but comes with a caveat.

He is adamant about protecting innocent people from collateral damage, a stance that nods to fairness but might frustrate those craving unfiltered exposure. The progressive crowd will likely scoff, claiming it’s a dodge to cherry-pick what sees daylight.

Maxwell interview spurs speculation

Blanche’s marathon session with Maxwell has tongues wagging, but Trump claims he’s out of the loop on details. He hasn’t seen a transcript and says no plans exist to release one, which raises eyebrows among those skeptical of government opacity. The MAGA faithful, though, see this as Trump playing chess, not checkers, against a corrupt system.

“Todd went in, and I think he just wants to make sure that innocent people aren’t hurt,” Trump added, doubling down on his cautious approach.

This line could be a shield against accusations of recklessness, but it’s also a convenient brake on full disclosure. Critics on the left might argue it’s less about protection and more about control.

Maxwell’s case, tied to Epstein’s sordid legacy, remains a lightning rod. Trump’s clear: “I’m allowed to do it, but nobody’s asked me to do it,” regarding a potential pardon for her. That shuts down speculation for now, but don’t expect the woke brigade to stop sniffing for conspiracy.

Combs’ conviction clouds pardon prospects

Meanwhile, Sean “Diddy” Combs, convicted of two prostitution counts in August but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering, faces up to 20 years at his October sentencing. Trump’s been approached about a pardon, but he’s not feeling generous. Personal history and Combs’ campaign-trail hostility have soured the deal.

“Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half innocent,” Trump quipped about Combs’ mixed verdict, a jab that lands with a smirk. The comment reflects a conservative disdain for celebrity privilege, especially when it’s paired with anti-Trump rhetoric. Combs’ fall from grace is a cautionary tale for the elite.

Trump admitted to a past friendly acquaintance with Combs, saying, “I got along with him great, and he seemed like a nice guy.” But campaign barbs changed the tune, making a pardon “more difficult,” as Trump put it. The left will cry hypocrisy, but conservatives see it as loyalty to principle over personal ties.

Personal grudges or principled stance?

“It’s hard, you know, like, we’re human beings, and we don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right?” Trump mused, revealing a rare glimpse of introspection. His reluctance to pardon Combs isn’t just politics -- it’s personal. MAGA supporters will cheer this as proof of a leader who doesn’t bow to pressure.

Trump’s candidness continued: “When you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements -- so, I don’t know, it’s more difficult.” This humanizes his decision, but critics will pounce, accusing him of letting grudges dictate justice. The conservative counter? Accountability isn’t pettiness.

“They have talked to me about Sean,” Trump confirmed, acknowledging the pardon buzz. Yet, when pressed if he’s leaning toward a “no,” he replied, “I would say so.” That’s a gut punch to Combs’ hopes, and a nod to conservatives who value loyalty over leniency.

Balancing transparency with caution

Trump’s Epstein file push is a bold move, but his caution about “people getting hurt” signals a strategic pause. It’s a tightrope walk: transparency to expose corruption versus restraint to avoid collateral damage. The anti-woke crowd loves the former but might bristle at the latter’s vagueness.

Epstein’s 2019 death, ruled a suicide, still fuels conspiracy theories, and Trump’s call for openness could either douse or inflame them. The left will likely dismiss it as a stunt, but conservatives see it as a middle finger to the deep state. Either way, the files’ release -- if it happens -- will be a political earthquake.

Combs’ case, by contrast, feels like a sideshow, but Trump’s hesitation to pardon him underscores a broader point: actions have consequences, especially when you cross the MAGA line. “I just don’t want people to get hurt,” Trump reiterated, a line that applies to both cases but lands differently. It’s a conservative rallying cry wrapped in empathy, leaving progressives little room to maneuver without looking cynical.

Written by: Benjamin Clark
Benjamin Clark delivers clear, concise reporting on today’s biggest political stories.

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