Speaking at Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit on Friday, Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson blasted the Department of Justice’s recent findings on Jeffrey Epstein, insisting Americans have “every right” to demand full transparency. Carlson questioned the DOJ’s denial of a client list and dismissal of foul play, calling the two-page memo inadequate and evasive.
Carlson argued that the real questions remain unanswered: “Why was he doing this, on whose behalf, and where did the money come from?” He floated the possibility that Epstein had ties to foreign intelligence services—possibly not American—and challenged the media’s silence on the matter. “How does a guy go from being a math teacher with no degree to owning jets and a private island?” he asked. “No one has ever gotten to the bottom of that because no one has ever tried.”
Carlson noted that evidence suggesting Epstein was tied to intelligence is not new. Former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, who oversaw Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, reportedly told officials Epstein “belonged to intelligence.” Investigative journalist Julie K. Brown, who exposed new details in Epstein’s case in 2018, later said it’s possible Epstein had connections to Israeli intelligence.
The DOJ claims no Epstein client list exists and asserts that video footage of the cell area on the night of his 2019 death was simply altered due to standard camera resets. However, a forensic review of the footage metadata by WIRED suggested the video had been edited, casting further doubt on the DOJ’s account.
Carlson directly criticized what he views as censorship surrounding questions of foreign influence. “There is nothing antisemitic about asking if Epstein had ties to a foreign government, even if that government is Israel,” he said. “You’re allowed to question your government and demand it not work against your interests.”
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi declined to confirm or deny the intelligence allegations when pressed by reporters this week, claiming she had “no knowledge” but would follow up.
Carlson concluded by urging Americans to keep asking hard questions. “Criticizing government agencies doesn’t make you a hater. It makes you a citizen,” he said.
