A debate on a CNN panel grew heated as liberal MeidasTouch podcaster Adam Mockler asserted that the release of the Epstein files signified a cover-up surpassing the scale of Watergate. This claim ignited a fierce exchange among participants on the program hosted by Abby Phillip on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Mockler accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of masterminding an extensive government cover-up to shield President Donald Trump from harmful details contained in the files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Joe Borelli, Republican minority leader of the New York City Council, who supports Trump, was quick to rebut the claim.
Borelli pushed Mockler to confirm if any evidence linked Trump to trafficking during the broadcast. When questioned by Borelli about proof of Trump’s involvement in illegal activities, Mockler conceded the lack of evidence. The exchange drew in other panelists, including political consultant Tezlyn Figaro, who questioned Borelli about the incomplete release of the documents. Borelli insisted he would participate once the complete file disclosure had taken place, concluding the segment.
In November 2025, Trump approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandating the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make public all Epstein-related files by December 19, 2025. The act, which was passed by the House 427-1 and received unanimous approval in the Senate, was enacted on November 19, 2025.
Photographs from the Epstein estate were delivered to the House Oversight Committee Democrats, with a limited number initially disclosed to the public. Mid-December saw the DOJ release a fresh batch of Epstein files, revealing multiple images that implied associations between the late financier and several high-profile individuals.
Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew were among high-profile figures featured in the photographs released in mid-December, illustrating Epstein’s ties with influential figures globally. However, legal experts and the DOJ have stressed that appearing in photos with Epstein does not indicate criminal involvement or awareness of his crimes.
In files released on December 23, 2025, an email from a federal prosecutor revealed that flight records show President Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996, including at least four flights on which Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, was also present. On one flight in 1993, Trump and Epstein were the only two passengers listed.
The DOJ verified that a letter purportedly from Epstein to convicted sex offender Larry Nassar was fraudulent, stating the handwriting didn’t match Epstein’s and the letter was postmarked three days following Epstein’s death. The DOJ further dismissed some documents containing unverified FBI tips submitted before the 2020 election as “unsubstantiated and false.”
On December 21, at least 16 files were temporarily removed from the DOJ’s Epstein files webpage, including a photograph showing President Trump. The files were later restored after the DOJ determined no victims were depicted in the images. The temporary removal sparked bipartisan criticism and accusations of selective withholding.
Despite Trump’s ongoing efforts to downplay his previous association with Epstein, the controversy continues to stir political unrest. The handling of the document releases by the administration has raised queries regarding transparency and undisclosed information.
As of early January 2026, the DOJ reported it has released approximately 12,285 documents totaling about 125,575 pages—less than 1% of all potentially responsive materials. More than 2 million documents remain under review, with over 400 attorneys and more than 100 FBI analysts assigned to the task. The enormous backlog indicates a larger volume of documents than previously known.
During the CNN panel, Borelli depicted the Democratic and media focus on the Epstein documents as desperate attempts to depict Trump as a criminal.
The releases in mid-December represented just a small portion of the total photographic archive in the possession of congressional investigators.