Conservatives on social media expressed disappointment with the Epstein file rollout on Thursday and Friday. (Fox News/Getty)
"The fact that the Epstein files haven’t yet been released demonstrates that the President doesn’t yet have operational control of the DOJ and FBI," Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., posted on X on Friday morning. "It could take a while to establish, or as with his first term, it might never be established."
Many on social media also took issue with the presence of several conservative influencers at the White House who were pictured outside holding binders that said "The Epstein Files Phase 1," suggesting that new information had been released.
"Pam Bondi: ‘We're releasing the first of the Epstein files tomorrow.’ Americans: ‘Cool! Then we'll get to read them?’ Bondi: ‘Well actually you'll get to see fun little photo shoots of conservative personalities & influencers holding a binder!’" Daily Signal investigative columnist Tony Kinnett posted on X.
"Not interested in some big theatrical rollout of the Epstein files, if they even exist anymore," conservative commentator Matt Walsh posted on X. "Put them online for everyone to see. Hold a press conference to walk us through it. There’s a time for showmanship and a time to be direct and boring. This is definitely the latter."
"The most likely outcome of the ‘Epstein Files’ has always been that it's mostly stuff we already knew and nothing truly game-changing," Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. "That's even more true for the JFK files. If that's the case, just admit it and move on. Stop hyping this crap up and then not delivering."
BONDI SAYS EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST 'SITTING ON MY DESK RIGHT NOW,' AND IS REVIEWING JFK, MLK FILES
Jeffrey Epstein's mugshot from 2019 after federal authorities filed trafficking charges against him. (Kypros/Getty Images)
"People don’t understand that you don’t get instant power here," Musk posted on X in response to a post defending Bondi for being in a position of "fighting against a leftist culture."
Patel addressed the situation late Thursday in a post on X.
"The FBI is entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice," Patel wrote.
"There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them. And we will bring everything we find to the DOJ to be fully assessed and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be. The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise."
Fox News Digital’s Mike Ruiz contributed to this report.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/conservatives-explode-botched-epstein-document-rollout-complete-disappointment