Research/Study Research/Study

“She is not to be trusted”: Right-wing media turn on Pam Bondi as Trump’s Epstein scandal grows

MAGA media figures have called Bondi’s performance a “disservice to Donald Trump and this nation”

Written by Noah Dowe

Published

As fallout from the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to grow, right-wing media have set the sights of their blame on Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi’s testimony before Congress’ House Judiciary Committee on February 11 — which one conservative host called a “complete disaster” — follows months of right-wing media accusations that she has “lied to us” or is involved in a “cover-up” of the Epstein scandal.

Some figures are now insisting Bondi “is not to be trusted” and “should be fired or resign,” after pinning the blame on her for “the biggest fumble of the Trump administration.”

Jump to section...

  • Bondi’s combative congressional testimony follows months of discontent with the administration’s handling of the Epstein case

    • Politico noted Bondi’s “aggressive posture in attacking lawmakers during a regular oversight hearing of the DOJ,” including “lashing out at committee members in personal terms,” writing: “For four hours, the nation’s top law enforcement officer largely refused to answer questions from Democrats about the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.” Though Bondi largely clashed with Democrats, she also engaged in a heated back-and-forth with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). [Politico, 2/11/26, 2/11/26]
    • In 2025, many right-leaning media figures and podcasters began to turn on Bondi and the Trump administration over their handling of the Epstein case. Trump ally Laura Loomer declared “we can't trust Pam Blondie anymore” and PBD Podcast panelist Vincent Oshana said she “lied to us.” Streamer Asmongold suggested Bondi was involved in a “cover-up,” and Daily Wire host Matt Walsh argued she “needs to go.” [Media Matters, 7/18/25; Rumble, Loomer Unleashed, 5/6/25; YouTube, PBD Podcast, 9/3/25; YouTube, Asmongold TV, 7/8/25; The Daily Wire, The Matt Walsh Show, 7/14/25]

  • Right-wing media called Bondi’s testimony a “complete disaster” and say she needs to “be fired or resign”

    • Newsmax's Greg Kelly on Pam Bondi: “She is not to be trusted and I hope she leaves soon.” He said, “I don't think Pam is living up to that responsibility. Lots of theatrics on her part today before the House. That's great. But she was not responsive, evasive. And I think she is not to be trusted and I hope she leaves soon.” [Newsmax, Greg Kelly Reports, 2/11/26]
    • Kelly also commented, “I kind of think she likes cable news more than she likes the office on Pennsylvania Avenue and running the Department of Justice. I'm sorry. I'm not impressed.” He added, “Pam Bondi has not handled this thing well. … They ask like a four-minute-long question. Right? But then they actually ask the question and you got to be responsive. And she wasn't. And I don't think she's doing her job.” [Newsmax, Greg Kelly Reports, 2/11/26] 
    • Newsmax host Carl Higbie called Bondi’s testimony a “complete disaster” and a “disservice to Donald Trump and this nation.” Higbie said, “After today, I don't know how her political career survives.” [Newsmax, Carl Higbie Frontline, 2/11/26]
    • Podcaster Tim Pool said Bondi has “done a moderately bad job” as attorney general, adding, “I think they've miserably handled the Epstein files.” [Rumble, Timcast IRL, 2/11/26] 
    • Conservative radio host Erick Erickson said Bondi “should be fired or resign” over her performance in the hearing. Erickson: “When the Attorney General of the United States is asked why she has prosecuted no one related to Jeffrey Epstein and this is her answer, she should be fired or resign. But neither will happen, which is another reason the Democrats are going to have a good election year.” [Mediaite, 2/11/26]
    • The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro said the “performative nature” of Bondi's testimony “does not make the American people feel as though there is a professional in charge of the Justice Department.” Shapiro added, “I do not think she’s good at her job.” [The Daily Wire, The Ben Shapiro Show, 2/12/26]

  • Right-wing figures also criticized Bondi's mishandling of the Epstein case in the lead-up to her disastrous testimony

    • Trump ally Laura Loomer said the Epstein files had “become such a controversy” because Americans “were told and promised … by people like Pam Bondi that they had all these files and that they had videotapes.” Loomer continued, “Well, where are the tapes? And if you're not going to show us the tapes, then who is in these tapes?” [Rumble, Loomer Unleashed, 2/3/26]
    • Discussing the Epstein files on The Tucker Carlson Show, YouTuber Ian Carroll said, “I can't think of anybody who I'm more disgusted by right now in our government than Kash Patel and Pam Bondi.” [YouTube, The Tucker Carlson Show, 2/6/26] 
    • YouTuber Brett Cooper criticized Bondi for “saying there was nothing there, which is all so ironic. Because remember, last year, Pam was like, the files are on my desk. I have the list.” Cooper continued, “And then randomly, like two weeks later, she was like, oh, there's no list. There's nothing to prosecute. There's no files. We can't tell you anything. Sorry.” [YouTube, The Brett Cooper Show, 2/7/26] 
    • Podcaster Patrick Bet-David said the Epstein case “was the biggest fumble of the Trump administration and the responsibility keeps going back to Bondi.” [YouTube, PBD Podcast, 2/9/26] 
    • White nationalist Nick Fuentes: “Pam Bondi has to be impeached” for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Referring to Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel’s handling of the Epstein files, Fuentes said, “I think this fits the bill for high crimes and misdemeanors. You lied about the existence of the files. You lied about unindicted collaborators and accomplices. ... You lied in the furtherance of a cover-up.” [Rumble, America First with Nick Fuentes, 2/9/26]
    • After Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) suggested Bondi should come on Shawn Ryan’s podcast to discuss the case, Ryan responded, “But they're all just going to fucking lie, bro.” [YouTube, The Shawn Ryan Show, 2/9/26]