How Epstein Fallout Hit Donald Trump, Pam Bondi’s DOJ—New Poll

New polling reveals that the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues to cast a shadow over Donald Trump and his administration—particularly Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Justice Department—as doubts about the government’s handling of the case deepen among voters.

According to the latest Wall Street Journal/Fabrizio, Lee & Associates poll, 76 percent of voters believe the Justice Department is hiding important information about its Epstein investigation, with nearly half saying they have “no confidence” in the department’s handling of the case. Another 21 percent say they have little confidence, while fewer than one in four expressed any real trust in the probe.

Why It Matters

President Trump has been under pressure since July 6 when the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI released a joint statement insisting that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had “no incriminating ‘client list'” and reiterated that he died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019.

The announcement angered some campaigners, including members of Trump’s MAGA base, who believe the state is covering up Epstein’s links to rich and powerful individuals. This distrust threatens to weaken the president’s credibility.

What To Know

Attorney General Pam Bondi has come under particular pressure after the Wall Street Journal reported that she informed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in sealed Epstein-related files. Trump denied being informed, and the White House has dismissed the report as “fake news.”

Bondi has also walked back earlier claims that a “client list” was on her desk, later clarifying she was referring to broader case documents—not a list of names. The Department of Justice, for its part, released a memo this month confirming that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 and stated it was not in possession of any such list.

But voters are unconvinced. Just 7 percent expressed “complete confidence” in the department’s Epstein investigation. Meanwhile, Bondi’s favorability rating stands at 30 percent, 47 percent viewing her unfavorably.

The poll mirrors other surveys which have also shown deep disapproval with the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files.

The latest Emerson College poll found that a majority of voters—51 percent—disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, while just 16 percent approve.

It also showed that a plurality of voters—42 percent—believe Epstein was murdered, compared to 20 percent who think he died by suicide. Over the past five years, belief that he was murdered has declined by four points, while belief in suicide has dropped by one point.

Trump Emerges From Epstein Files Backlash Relatively Unscathed

Despite the backlash, Trump continues to enjoy strong support among Republican voters, 88 percent approving of his job performance—66 percent of them strongly—according to the Wall Street Journal poll.

The poll also showed that Trump’s approval remains unchanged from March at 46 percent, while his disapproval increased by 1 point to 52 percent.

Meanwhile, the Emerson College survey shows President Trump with a 46 percent job approval rating and 47 percent disapproval. Both figures have risen by just one point since last month’s national poll.

According to Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster, these results are a good sign for Trump. “In today’s politics, the mid-40s is the new 50 percent. In today’s hyperpartisan environment, if Trump can maintain support in the high 40s, we’ll have an incredibly competitive cycle in 2026,” he told the Wall Street Journal.

But the Wall Street Journal poll found broad dissatisfaction with Trump’s economic performance. His economic approval rating is stuck at 44 percent, unchanged since March, while disapproval has risen 1 point to 53 percent.

On tariffs, Trump fares even worse: just 40 percent of voters approve of his trade policies, while 57 percent disapprove. Opposition to specific tariffs is also widespread—56 percent reject tariffs on Mexico and 53 percent oppose tariffs on the European Union.

Meanwhile, voters are pessimistic about the country’s trajectory. Just 39 percent believe the U.S. is heading in the right direction, down from 41 percent in March. Fifty-five percent say the country is on the wrong track.

What Happens Next

Going forward Trump is likely to face fresh pressure from a section of his MAGA base to release documents related to the Epstein case while Democrats could attempt to force his hand after Congress returned from its summer recess.