


As interest over the Jeffrey Epstein files continues to dominate Washington and ricochet through President Trump’s base, right-wing influencers have pinpointed Ghislaine Maxwell, Mr. Epstein’s former girlfriend, as the key to unlocking more details about the convicted sex offender.
On Thursday and Friday, Justice Department officials interviewed Ms. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking and other crimes. Her lawyers said she answered questions about a host of people, but it was unclear what information she provided.
Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general who brokered the meeting, said on Thursday that the department “will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time.”
After previously criticizing Mr. Trump for refusing to release the Epstein files, some conservative influencers have celebrated the move by the Trump administration to approach Ms. Maxwell as an effort to appear more transparent. It does not come without risk, however. While the administration tries to tamp down the backlash and send the message that it is continuing to dig, it is still unclear whether the focus on Ms. Maxwell will ultimately satisfy those who see a cover-up.
Those who have clamored for more information about Mr. Epstein’s crimes and the circumstances of his death have long suggested a conspiracy to shield elites who knew the disgraced financier, including high-profile Democrats, from exposure in the case.
Still, questioning Ms. Maxwell has helped to take some of the pressure off Mr. Trump, at least for now. Benny Johnson, who hosts a popular pro-Trump podcast, said in a video posted on Instagram this week, “This is what transparency looks like.” He called Ms. Maxwell the “living piece of evidence that is able to answer the toughest questions.”