Bill Kristol on the Epstein Files, Trump’s Missteps, and the Breakdown of Accountability
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from July 30, 2025 | Speaking Out and Speaking Up: Bill Kristol on the State of the Nation. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, political analyst and commentator Bill Kristol joined veteran journalist Patt Morrison for a far-reaching conversation about Donald Trump, the enduring Epstein scandal, and what the case reveals about American institutions. Kristol, editor-at-large at The Bulwark and a longtime conservative voice, dissected the political and moral dimensions of the controversy, highlighting how Trump’s handling of the Epstein files has not only reignited public scrutiny but exposed deeper failures in the justice system and among America’s elite.
The Epstein Case: A Scandal That Won’t Go Away
While many Trump-era scandals have come and gone with a few days of media attention, the Epstein case continues to reverberate—and not just in fringe political circles. Kristol noted that the case has gained traction in part because of the sheer horror of the crimes and the inadequacy of the response. Originally brushed aside with a lenient plea deal in 2008, the Epstein saga resurfaced years later thanks to investigative journalism and led to the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell.
But even with that progress, Kristol argued, the case still represents a profound failure of justice. “Two people indicted, with over a thousand victims? That’s not a vindication of our system,” he said, adding that too many powerful figures looked the other way, participated, or helped suppress the truth.
Trump’s Fumbling and the Cost of Evasion
Kristol focused on Donald Trump’s increasingly erratic handling of the Epstein matter. Initially dismissing the issue and belittling his own supporters for caring about it, Trump later reversed course and promised transparency. His attorney general and allies even teased the release of sealed documents—until, as Kristol pointed out, Trump learned he himself was mentioned in the files. Everything halted.
“He’s done the worst thing you can do in a cover-up,” Kristol said. “Each step invites more questions.” Instead of resolving the matter, Trump’s zigzagging approach has only amplified interest and suspicion. Kristol likened it to a theatrical drama: “You need to bring the curtain down. Instead, he keeps raising it.”
What the Files Might Contain—and Why They Matter
Trump’s refusal to release the files, despite clear political pressure and public demand, suggests there’s more at stake than embarrassment. “The fact that he won’t release them tells me there’s something worse in those files,” Kristol asserted. While many documents may contain unprovable claims or secondhand testimony, the pattern of concealment hints at something potentially more damaging.
Compounding this is Trump’s inability—or unwillingness—to express basic empathy for the victims. Kristol contrasted Trump’s response with that of former Vice President Mike Pence, who at least began his remarks by acknowledging the suffering of the survivors. Trump, by contrast, “thinks first about how this affects him,” Kristol said, calling the absence of even performative compassion “striking.”
Accountability, Transparency, and a Test for Democracy
Kristol concluded that the Epstein saga is more than a personal liability for Trump; it is a test of the broader political and justice systems. While MAGA conspiracy theories often go off the rails, in this case, Kristol argued, they had a point: the system failed to hold the powerful accountable. “It’s horrifying, and it’s not over,” he said.
Whether Congress or the courts will force further transparency remains uncertain. But as Kristol noted, the political damage is already accumulating—because Trump, once again, overpromised and underdelivered.
“This is one of the few issues where Trump’s usual playbook isn’t working,” he said. “And the more he talks, the more people want to know what he’s trying to hide.”
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.