Elon Musk has reignited a political firestorm with just four words. “Where is Phase 2?” the billionaire posted on X this week, a pointed nudge at former President Donald Trump over his unfulfilled promise to release the full Epstein files.
Musk’s comments come amid growing pressure on Trump, both from critics and from within his base, to follow through on his pledge to declassify documents related to Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in custody and long list of elite associates have spawned countless conspiracy theories.
Trump’s mixed signals?
Trump had earlier taken to Truth Social to defend former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, while simultaneously accusing the Biden administration and other officials of being behind what he called “the creation” of the Epstein files. That comment, along with his hesitation to release the full trove of documents, has frustrated many in his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Despite promising on the campaign trail that he would “probably” release all Epstein-related files, Trump’s actions in office have disappointed supporters seeking full disclosure.
A highly anticipated document release in February contained little new information. A separate, nearly 11-hour video released this month that aimed to dispel theories about Epstein’s death only deepened suspicions after it appeared to be missing critical footage.
Adding to the backlash, a recent memo from the Justice Department and the FBI concluded that there was no further evidence warranting investigation. That sparked outrage online and demands for the resignation of both agencies' leadership.
The Epstein shadow
Epstein, a billionaire financier, was first charged in 2006 for sexually abusing underage girls but avoided serious consequences due to a controversial plea deal. He was arrested again in 2019 for trafficking minors, but died in a federal jail in New York while awaiting trial — officially by suicide, a conclusion many remain skeptical of.
His close ties to celebrities and political figures — including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Trump himself — have kept the story in the headlines. Although Trump has denied any wrongdoing, he was drawn into conspiracy chatter after Musk in June suggested in a now-deleted tweet that Trump was “in the Epstein files.”
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, was convicted in 2022 for aiding his abuse and is currently serving a prison sentence.
Cross-party pressure
The demand for transparency has transcended party lines. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, recently broke ranks by urging the Justice Department to release all documents related to Epstein.
Democrats, meanwhile, have used the issue to highlight what they call inconsistencies and broken promises by the Trump administration.
As pressure mounts, even Trump’s usual messaging, as “pretty boring stuff”, may no longer be enough to silence critics. And with Musk now joining the chorus of voices demanding accountability, the calls to release the files are likely to grow louder.
Where is Phase 2? https://t.co/gBiNFy99uu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 17, 2025
Musk’s comments come amid growing pressure on Trump, both from critics and from within his base, to follow through on his pledge to declassify documents related to Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in custody and long list of elite associates have spawned countless conspiracy theories.
Trump’s mixed signals?
Trump had earlier taken to Truth Social to defend former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, while simultaneously accusing the Biden administration and other officials of being behind what he called “the creation” of the Epstein files. That comment, along with his hesitation to release the full trove of documents, has frustrated many in his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Despite promising on the campaign trail that he would “probably” release all Epstein-related files, Trump’s actions in office have disappointed supporters seeking full disclosure.
A highly anticipated document release in February contained little new information. A separate, nearly 11-hour video released this month that aimed to dispel theories about Epstein’s death only deepened suspicions after it appeared to be missing critical footage.
Adding to the backlash, a recent memo from the Justice Department and the FBI concluded that there was no further evidence warranting investigation. That sparked outrage online and demands for the resignation of both agencies' leadership.
The Epstein shadow
Epstein, a billionaire financier, was first charged in 2006 for sexually abusing underage girls but avoided serious consequences due to a controversial plea deal. He was arrested again in 2019 for trafficking minors, but died in a federal jail in New York while awaiting trial — officially by suicide, a conclusion many remain skeptical of.
His close ties to celebrities and political figures — including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Trump himself — have kept the story in the headlines. Although Trump has denied any wrongdoing, he was drawn into conspiracy chatter after Musk in June suggested in a now-deleted tweet that Trump was “in the Epstein files.”
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, was convicted in 2022 for aiding his abuse and is currently serving a prison sentence.
Cross-party pressure
The demand for transparency has transcended party lines. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, recently broke ranks by urging the Justice Department to release all documents related to Epstein.
Democrats, meanwhile, have used the issue to highlight what they call inconsistencies and broken promises by the Trump administration.
As pressure mounts, even Trump’s usual messaging, as “pretty boring stuff”, may no longer be enough to silence critics. And with Musk now joining the chorus of voices demanding accountability, the calls to release the files are likely to grow louder.
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