NEWSPam Bondi Sparks Controversy Over Missing Minute in Jeffrey Epstein Jail Footage: Is the Cover-Up Real?
Pam Bondi addressed a one-minute gap in Jeffrey Epstein’s prison video, but her explanation fueled backlash.
July 14 2025, Published 4:50 p.m. ET
Pam Bondi faced intense scrutiny as she attempted to clarify the one-minute gap in surveillance footage from Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell on the night he died.
During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, the attorney general found herself on the defensive, addressing a bizarre timestamp jump in the lengthy 11-hour video.
Pam Bondi said the one-minute video gap in Jeffrey Epstein's video was a nightly glitch.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released the footage to counter rampant speculation suggesting that Epstein, a convicted s-- offender, was murdered in prison. However, as the details emerged, conspiracy theories seemed to intensify rather than subside.
During the meeting, Bondi claimed the one-minute discrepancy was simply a routine reset at the Metropolitan Detention Center. “The video was not conclusive, but the evidence prior to it was showing he committed suicide,” Bondi insisted.
She added, “There was a minute that was off the counter, and what we learned from the Bureau of Prisons is every night they redo that video… every night should have the same minute missing.”
She assured attendees that the DOJ plans to release additional footage from other nights to demonstrate that this missing minute is a recurring feature of the prison's surveillance system. "We're looking for that video to release that as well, to show that a minute is missing every night," she said. "And that's it on Epstein."
Despite her efforts, Bondi has drawn fire from furious conservatives for failing to deliver on promises of revelations that included an Epstein "client list."
Conservatives slammed Pam Bondi for failing to deliver an Epstein client list.
The footage shows a timecode of 11:58:58 p.m. before it skips straight to midnight, prompting heightened concern. The following frame reveals the one-minute void in time, which Bondi attributed to the prison's video system.
The Justice Department and FBI released this extensive video alongside a memo asserting that Epstein's death was officially ruled a suicide, directly contradicting months of previous statements from Bondi and other officials suggesting that significant disclosures were forthcoming.
High-profile politicians and celebrities were known to have attended Epstein's lavish gatherings and traveled on his infamous "Lolita Express" to his private island, raising questions about the implications of these connections.
The released surveillance footage captures the initial moments of Epstein's transiting to his cell on August 9, 2019. He appears handcuffed and clad in orange at 7:49 p.m., escorted by two guards. The next several hours pass with little activity until 6:27 a.m., when guards return with breakfast carts. By 6:33 a.m., an alarm signals the crisis, with Epstein pronounced dead just six minutes later.
- Unveiled: Jeffrey Epstein's Final Hours Captured in Shocking CCTV Footage as FBI Concludes Investigation
- Jeffrey Epstein Video Proves He Killed Himself, FBI Deputy Director Declares: 'It's Pretty Clear'
- Jeffrey Epstein's Suicide Spurred on by 'Negligence, Misconduct and Outright Job Performance Failures' From Prison Staff: Report
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Donald Trump cut off questions about Jeffrey Epstein.
The video's unveiling aimed to debunk the widespread belief — particularly among right-wing factions — that Epstein was murdered. Instead, the mysterious minute has further fueled conspiracy theories.
Responding to the ongoing backlash on social media, Trump-aligned influencers voiced their discontent with Bondi's statements regarding the Epstein case. "Assuming this leaked Epstein Files memo is true, then we all know this is a shameful coverup to protect the most heinous elites," tweeted MAGA personality Rogan O'Handley.
"Even Elon Musk chimed in," noted one observer, who highlighted Musk's post that humorously featured a clown putting on makeup, captioned: "First she said it's on her desk. Then she said there's no list."
As the pressure mounted, even Donald Trump had to address the uproar. During the Cabinet meeting, when a reporter attempted to question Bondi, Trump interjected: "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein at a time like this… It just seems like a desecration."
The Department of Justice insists Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide.
The intensified scrutiny of Bondi emerged after she previously raised hopes during an appearance on Fox News in February when she said the documents were "sitting on my desk right now to review." However, she clarified her earlier comments, asserting she was referencing not a literal client list but the broader case file surrounding Epstein.
Critics remained dissatisfied, particularly after the DOJ memo reiterated its conclusions about Epstein's death and made it clear that no further disclosures would be made. It emphasized: "Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither victims nor justice."
The backlash against Bondi has risen to such a level that even Trump felt the need to shield her from the wrath of conservative voices who accuse her of overpromising and underdelivering.
The DOJ memo announced that no new arrests would be made in connection to Epstein's crimes, with Ghislaine Maxwell already serving a 20-year prison sentence. FBI Director Kash Patel, who once questioned the official narrative, stated his views have changed since taking office. "If I had it, I'd be the first guy to bring this case hard and fast," he shared, while also emphasizing, "We're not gonna re-victimize women."
