MAGA Lawmaker Drops Bombshell on CNN: He ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ if Trump Is in Epstein Files

MAGA Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), a Trump ally, admitted on Wednesday, during CNN’s The Arena that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if President Donald Trump appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files, acknowledging their past friendship and calling questions about potential cover-ups “very appropriate.”

Kennedy’s blunt comments, made a day after he grilled FBI Director Kash Patel on the Epstein case during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, highlight growing GOP frustration with the Trump administration’s handling of the files, amid a MAGA conspiracy theory—fueled by candidate Trump in 2024—that Epstein was murdered to protect powerful accomplices.

Despite official rulings of suicide, Kennedy said he would “release the documents and let the chips fall where they may,” but noted White House pressure on Congress to “get past this issue,” prioritizing other matters.

The exchange shows internal GOP tensions as bipartisan efforts to subpoena Epstein’s bank records were voted down on September 9, despite Kennedy’s push for transparency.

How It Went Down

On The Arena with host Kasie Hunt, Kennedy addressed the Epstein files, which have become a flashpoint for MAGA conspiracy theories claiming Epstein’s 2019 jail death was a murder to shield elites, despite investigations by the DOJ and medical examiner ruling suicide.

Hunt asked, “Are they covering for people?” regarding the FBI and DOJ’s delays in releasing files. Kennedy replied, “I don’t know. I have no idea,” but affirmed the questions were “very appropriate,” adding, “If it were up to me, I would release the documents and let the chips fall where they may.”

When Hunt asked, “Could the president be mentioned in them?” Kennedy said, “Maybe. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was, because he and Epstein, many years ago, were friends.”

Trump’s documented ties include socializing at Mar-a-Lago in the 1990s-2000s, seven flights on Epstein’s plane, and a 2002 New York Magazine quote calling him a “terrific guy” who likes “beautiful women… on the younger side.” No evidence links Trump to Epstein’s crimes, but Kennedy’s admission reflects public curiosity.

Hunt pressed on why House Republicans voted down a Democratic subpoena for Epstein’s bank records on September 9, asking, “Isn’t ‘follow the money’ the very first tenet of an investigation like this?”

Kennedy replied, “I think the White House… pressured the House and they pressured the Senate to ‘let’s get past this issue,’” adding, “And I understand that, I’m sure in the White House’s mind there are more important things to talk about. But the problem with that is that many people in the administration talked frequently before they became part of the administration—and some afterwards—about how there’s some really important people there involved and the American people need to know.” He declared, “Now they’ve got to come clean.”

The interview followed Kennedy’s September 9 Senate Judiciary hearing, where he confronted Patel on Epstein, asking why files weren’t released and if Trump was an “FBI informant.” Patel evaded, citing ongoing reviews.

GOP Internal Tensions

Kennedy’s comments reveal GOP rifts, with Trump allies like Patel, AG Pam Bondi, and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino hyping the files pre-administration.

In 2023, Patel urged Republicans to “put on your big boy pants” and release them on Benny Johnson’s podcast, saying, “What the hell are the House Republicans doing? You can’t get the list? Put on your big boy pants, and let us know who the pedophiles are.” Bongino issued an ultimatum in July 2025, threatening to resign if Bondi wasn’t fired over the cover-up, but both stayed, per CNN.

The DOJ’s July 7,m, memo denied a “client list” and halted releases, contradicting Bondi’s February promise. However, House Oversight Democrats released 30,000 pages on September 8, including Trump’s alleged birthday letter, but only 3% new. Bipartisan efforts like Eliseo’s Law seek unredacted files, with survivors’ September 4 press conference demanding transparency.

Kennedy’s hearing pressured Patel on delays, with Democrats like Rep. Jamie Raskin accusing the FBI of “protecting Trump.”

Watch the video  below from 7:00 on Kennedy’s remarks: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump” is the files

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The Oversight probe continues and Kennedy’s call for release may gain traction, but White House pressure persists. With 2026 midterms nearing, the files could erode GOP support if implicating Trump, testing his “hoax” narrative amid economic/legal woes.