Trump Fans Dismiss DOJ Video as 'Fake News' While Fixating on Staffer's Appearance

In an unguarded moment during a rendezvous organized via the dating app Hinge, a senior Justice Department official found himself secretly recorded in what’s being characterized as a “honeytrap.” He appeared to brag about a scheme aimed at protecting Republicans from potential backlash regarding the client files of Jeffrey Epstein. Rather than engaging substantively with the revelations, many of Donald Trump’s supporters dismissed the recording as “fake news,” instead targeting the staffer with ridicule. In response, the DOJ initiated damage control, highlighting the ongoing political theatrics surrounding the unreleased Epstein files. Joseph Schnitt, acting deputy chief under Attorney General Pam Bondi, was recorded over two dates by a woman allegedly affiliated with conservative media figure James O’Keefe. Schnitt suggested the department intended to redact Republican names from the files while exposing Democrats. The agency quickly condemned his comments as baseless and lacking understanding of DOJ protocol, underscoring the heightened scrutiny surrounding these contentious matters.