Why a secret Trump team dinner to defuse Epstein fallout was abruptly cancelled

Trump-Epstein

A private dinner planned at US Vice President JD Vance’s residence on Wednesday was intended to bring top Trump administration officials together to resolve internal discord over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. But the event, which was expected to feature US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, was ultimately scrapped amid mounting media scrutiny and lingering tensions within the team, CNN reported.

Dinner postponed amid media pressure

The gathering was supposed to provide a low-stakes setting for key players to realign following weeks of infighting. However, by Wednesday evening, several officials—including Vance, Bondi, and others—were seen leaving the White House instead. Throughout the day, officials gave conflicting updates about whether the dinner was cancelled, moved, or still on. Sources say CNN’s earlier report about the dinner likely contributed to the decision to pull the plug.

White House insists no meeting was planned

Despite reports, Vance’s office issued a firm denial. “There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice President’s residence to discuss Epstein Strategy,” said William Martin, Vance’s communications director. Vance himself echoed the denial in a separate appearance, saying, “We’re not meeting to talk about the Epstein situation.” Both the US Justice Department and FBI declined to comment on the event or its cancellation.

Bondi and Patel at the centre of internal friction

The dinner was seen as a chance to mend the strained relationship between Bondi and Patel, which had become public after a heated White House meeting with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles last month. The fallout from that meeting also raised questions about Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino’s future. Bongino, who was accused of leaking stories about Bondi, had reportedly considered quitting before Vance helped de-escalate the conflict.

Leadership clash over Epstein transparency

Tensions between the FBI and DOJ had been simmering even before the recent fallout. FBI leadership was said to be frustrated with Bondi’s frequent media appearances, especially after she claimed that the Epstein client list was on her desk—despite there being no such formal list. Meanwhile, the DOJ’s memo on the case, released months later, debunked conspiracy theories but angered parts of the MAGA base, who blamed Patel and Bongino for failing to deliver on promises of full transparency.

A chance for reset missed—for now

The now-cancelled dinner was meant to serve as a reset point for an administration eager to present a united front amid one of its most sensitive scandals. With Patel recently returning from overseas travel and Bondi still facing internal criticism, the gathering would have offered a chance for senior officials to agree on a unified narrative. But without that opportunity, divisions within the Trump administration may continue to fester.