Trump officials’ Epstein dinner reportedly moved amid media scrutiny

DDM News

(DDM) – A dinner planned at Vice President J.D. Vance’s residence for Trump administration officials to discuss the Jeffrey Epstein matter was reportedly moved or rescheduled amid intense media attention.

DDM learned the gathering was intended as an informal opportunity for senior aides to realign following internal tensions over the handling of Epstein-related materials.

Organizers had expected Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and other senior officials to attend the evening meeting.

The dinner was seen by planners as a chance for Bondi and Patel — who have been publicly at odds — to clear the air and mend working relationships.

Sources familiar with the planning said the meeting’s status shifted several times on Wednesday, with officials being told at various points that it was moved, canceled, or rescheduled.

Several participants who were expected at the dinner, including Vance and Bondi, were observed leaving the White House on Wednesday evening.

Administration aides told reporters earlier in the day that there were active discussions about whether to hold the gathering given heightened press interest.

CNN’s initial reporting that the dinner was happening appeared to accelerate those internal debates and prompted multiple changes to the plan.

The tension between Bondi and Patel last month erupted into public view after a heated White House meeting with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

That blowup also raised questions about the future of FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino within the administration.

Following that incident, Vance reportedly took on a peacemaker role, fielding calls from Bondi, Patel, and Bongino even while on a family trip to Disneyland.

One source said Vance managed to smooth relations enough for Bongino to return to work the following Monday.

However, several administration officials told reporters they expect Bongino may eventually leave his post and return to media work once the Epstein controversy eases.

The dinner at Vance’s residence was again viewed by insiders as an appropriate, low-stakes setting to realign policy positions and interpersonal tensions.

A source briefed on the discussions told CNN the informal setting would make it easier for participants to talk candidly and avoid another public confrontation.

The meeting reportedly included discussion of whether to publish an audio recording and transcript of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s recent conversation with Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein.

Officials said those deliberations carried political and legal sensitivity and that deciding to release the material could have ramifications across the administration.

As the day progressed, officials received multiple briefings and adjusted plans in response to the fast-moving media coverage.

The reported rescheduling of the dinner underscores the administration’s heightened concern about optics as the Epstein-related story continues to generate scrutiny.

At the time of publishing, it remained unclear when, or if, the meeting would be reconvened and which officials would ultimately attend.

Administration spokespeople have not issued a public comment confirming the final status of the dinner or detailing the topics discussed.

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