Several high-profile X influencers, including Jack Posobiec, DC Draino, Libs of TikTok, Mike Cernovich, Chad Prather, and Liz Wheeler, were seen at the White House on Thursday holding binders labeled ‘Epstein Files: Phase 1.’ The sighting comes just hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the U.S. Department of Justice would release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The presence of these conservative commentators with exclusive access to the documents immediately sparked social media debates. Many users questioned why the files were not directly made public, comparing the move to the release of the ‘Twitter Files.’
Social Media Reactions: ‘This Smells Like the Twitter Files’
As images and videos of the influencers circulated, social media users voiced concerns about transparency. Many felt that such documents should be made available to all Americans, rather than selectively given to a few individuals.
One user on X wrote, “Trump did exactly what I was afraid of, just like Elon did with the ‘Twitter Files.’ The Epstein files should have been released on a website to the public, not just to a few select people.”
Another added, “This smells like the Twitter Files again. Select individuals receive the information and decide how to release it. Create a link on a government website so every American can access and review it.”
A third person questioned the process, writing, “A lot of famous X accounts were given the first Epstein file. Why not just put it out on X like the Twitter Files? This feels like a club that we’re not privileged enough to be in.”
What Were the Twitter Files?
The Twitter Files were a series of internal documents from Twitter (now X) released between December 2022 and March 2023. Elon Musk provided these records to independent journalists, such as Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss, who then published them. The files allegedly revealed coordination between the U.S. government and social media platforms to suppress certain content, leading to debates over censorship and free speech.
Concerns Over Gatekeeping
Many users fear that, like the Twitter Files, the Epstein Files may be selectively released by influencers who stand to benefit financially from the exclusivity. Some called for full transparency and an immediate public release.
As the DOJ prepares to disclose additional Epstein-related records, the debate over how these files should be shared continues to intensify. Whether this exclusive release strategy will provide clarity or raise more questions remains to be seen.
