US Vice President JD Vance has admitted that the Trump administration “absolutely screwed up” its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files release, saying the White House mishandled communication around the documents
but denying it was an attempt to hide information.
Speaking on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast released on Wednesday, Vance said the administration raised expectations around the release of the files but failed to manage public messaging after the documents did not reveal the major disclosures many had anticipated.
“If people want to say we mishandled the Epstein release, guilty. We did mishandle it,” Vance said. He added that the problem was with the communication strategy and not an effort to conceal wrongdoing.
JD Vance admits:
We absolutely screwed up the communications of the Epstein files. We just did.
But do I think the reason we screwed up the communications is because we were trying to hide something? No.
Source: Joe Rogan Experience pic.twitter.com/ylHZ1X4dnz
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 15, 2026
“I say this with all candour, like we absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files, like we just did,” Vance said. “But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No.”
Vance Defends Trump
During the interview, Vance defended US President Donald Trump against allegations connected to Epstein, saying he had reviewed much of the released material and had not seen evidence that Trump committed wrongdoing.
“I’ve looked at most of the Epstein files. I’ve never seen a single piece of credible evidence that Trump ever engaged in wrongdoing,” Vance said.
Vance Claims Epstein Had Intel Links
The vice president also made claims about Epstein’s alleged connections to intelligence agencies during the podcast. Responding to host Joe Rogan’s comments about speculation that Epstein had links to Mossad, Vance said Epstein had connections to “the highest levels” of both US and Israeli intelligence.
“He clearly had connections to the highest levels of American intelligence, he clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence,” Vance said.
He added that Epstein appeared to have links to parts of the Israeli “deep state”, saying those connections were not limited to one political side.
“Epstein seemed to be connected to the elements of the Israeli deep state that were left of center. I’ve always found that fascinating. It wasn’t like he was super connected to the right of center of Israeli politics,” he said.
