FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino sent shockwaves through the political and media landscape Sunday by firmly declaring that Jeffrey Epstein did kill himself—a stunning reversal from his past rhetoric and a direct challenge to one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of the modern political era.
In a televised appearance on Fox News Sunday with host Maria Bartiromo and FBI Director Kash Patel, Bongino made his position crystal clear:
“He killed himself… I’ve seen the whole file. He killed himself.”
He later echoed the statement on X, posting:
“I have reviewed the case. Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. There’s no evidence in the case file suggesting otherwise.”
Coming from a man who once suggested Bill Clinton was “knee-deep” in the Epstein scandal and teased hidden bombshells on his podcast as recently as February, the statement landed with the force of a political earthquake.
For YEARS Kash Patel & Dan Bongino have called people “crazy to believe Epstein killed himself” and now that they’ve been in the club for about 40 seconds they release a joint statement like it’s open and shut, nothing weird at all about it at all, he 100% did end his own life.. pic.twitter.com/nr085xxpxT
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) May 18, 2025
Bongino’s past comments painted a picture of skepticism toward the official story. As a former Secret Service agent and prominent voice within the MAGA media sphere, he had helped amplify the “Epstein didn’t kill himself” narrative—one that has persisted across ideological lines due to Epstein’s powerful connections, questionable prison conditions, and the convenient timing of his death in 2019.
But now, seated in a position of authority and responsibility within the FBI, Bongino says the conspiracy doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
“I’m not asking you to believe me or not,” he wrote, “I’m telling you what exists and what doesn’t.”
The backlash was swift. Many of Bongino’s own supporters and conservative influencers felt betrayed.
Podcaster Luke Rudkowski responded incredulously, asking:
“How did Epstein destroy the video cameras? Move his cell mate out while under suicide watch… in a cell made to make that impossible?”
Sarah Adams, a conservative commentator, called for an independent review, citing distrust in the FBI due to past missteps like the Benghazi investigation.
Even elected Republicans weighed in. Florida Commissioner Anthony Sabatini bluntly repeated the popular refrain:
“Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself.”
For many on the right, Bongino’s new position feels like a capitulation—or worse, a cover-up. The Epstein saga has become deeply entrenched in anti-elite, anti-establishment sentiment, with figures across the political spectrum suspecting foul play.
Adding fuel to the fire, President Donald Trump has also questioned Epstein’s death, once posting a tweet insinuating that Epstein may have been silenced because he had compromising information on Bill Clinton. The post was hashtagged #ClintonBodyCount—one of the conspiracy world’s favorite labels.
Upon returning to office, Trump signed an executive order calling for the release of top-secret documents, including those related to Epstein. So far, that transparency push has yielded flight logs, a redacted address book, and a list of Epstein’s masseuses—but no definitive “client list” or direct links to Epstein’s criminal enterprise.
Overall, I think Kash Patel and Dan Bongino are doing a great job, but on this claim that Epstein’s death is not a cover-up I call bullshit.
EPSTEIN confirmed a suic*de? Maria sits down with FBI’s Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, who claim Epstein did, in fact, commit suic*de. Now,… https://t.co/r3jXCxPWwF pic.twitter.com/nj1WOANk4F
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) May 19, 2025
Among those named in the address book? Celebrities and politicians from Mick Jagger and Naomi Campbell to John Kerry, Alec Baldwin, Alan Dershowitz, and Ivanka Trump. But as Bongino, Patel, and even Trump’s DOJ have stated, no charges or implications have followed those names appearing.
Despite the official findings, polls consistently show that a majority of Americans doubt Epstein died by suicide. His death inside a high-security prison, after a previous suicide attempt, with camera footage missing and guards asleep, has all the markings of a cover-up to many.
Bongino’s credibility now hinges on how he navigates this break with his base. For years, he played to skepticism and suspicions. Now, as an official in the top tier of federal law enforcement, he’s calling for trust in the facts, not the fervor.
