The Unasked Question

Almost every time that Trump is asked about the Epstein files, he refers to it all as a "hoax" and has also called it "bullsh*t."  While these are his common words for dismissing such things, in this particular case -- even more than the others -- his response begs a pretty obvious follow-up, which I have yet to hear asked him.

The next time that Trump tells the press the Epstein scandal is a "hoax" or is "bullshit" -- what somebody there should ask him very simply is a very basic question: "What do you consider a 'hoax' or 'bullshit'? That Jeffrey Epstein was convicted? That Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted? That the victims who are still alive say they want the files released?  Which you and Kash Patel have said you want to do.  That the files don't exist?  Which Pam Bondi has said are on her desk.  What?? What specifically is it that you consider a 'hoax' and 'bullshit'???"

Unlike other scandals that Trump dismisses this way, this story is based on established facts.  It's a fact that Jeffrey Epstein was tried in court and convicted.  It's a fact that Ghislaine Maxwell was tried in court and convicted.  It's a fact that victims of these crimes are publicly stating that they want the files released.  It's a fact that FBI Director Kash Patel and Trump himself have said the files should be released.  It's a fact that Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Epstein files are on her desk.  (She said "client list," but "corrected" that later.)

So, I really, truly don't understand what the "hoax" is or why Trump considers the story to be "bullsh*t."  The only thing I can even imagine is that he only means the report that AG Bondi told him that his name was in the files and that FBI agents were redacting his name.  Except that that's not what he's responding to when asked about the files being released.  A "hoax" and "bullsh*t" is is response these days to any question, every question about the Epstein files.  So -- just ask him:  What is the hoax?  What is bullsh*t???

He really doesn't have an answer.  The only possible thing he can say is that his name isn't in the files, and he was never told that they were.  To which the easy follow-up is -- "That wasn't the question.  The question is why not order the files to be released?  Which you have called for, which Kash Patel has called for, which the victims have called for."

It's an easy question.  But is unasked.

The only semi-defense of the press not asking is that these day most mainstream journalists are not invited to be part of Trump press events, only the sycophantic far-right "press."  And the very few that are there have so many other questions to ask.

Still, though, there are press events when mainstream press is present.  And even though the topic at hand might be something else, it's not unreasonable to ask there --

"You have called the Epstein story to be a 'hoax' or 'bullshit'.  What do you consider a 'hoax' or 'bullshit'? That Jeffrey Epstein was convicted? That Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted? That the victims who are still alive say they want the files released?  Which you and Kash Patel have said you want to do.  That the files don't exist?  Which Pam Bondi has said are on her desk.  What?? What specifically is it that you consider a 'hoax' and 'bullshit'???"

And any answer they get back from Trump is likely to be the only "bullsh*t" thing about it all.