CNN panel grills conservative host over Trump's flimsy Epstein file excuses

The conversation on CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip" got heated after a conservative radio host tried to defend claims made by President Donald Trump about why he can't release the Jeffrey Epstein files.

It's been more than a week since the Department of Justice released an unsigned memo outlining its conclusions in the Epstein case, some of which contradict what Trump's MAGA base thinks about it. For instance, the memo claims Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell and that he didn't keep records of his clients. Both of those claims contradict conclusions that Trump and his surrogates have been telling their supporters for several years.

Trump has tried to distance himself from the Epstein story and told his base to stop talking about it. Now, conservative operatives and lawyers are trying to justify why the administration can't simply release the files, even after claiming it would.

Conservative radio host Ben Ferguson told the panel that he talked to Attorney General Pam Bondi about the files on his show.

"One of the things she said was that we have to make sure we're not putting out information against victims," Ferguson said.

The comments didn't sit well with host Abby Phillip, who asked sharply, "Do you buy that?"

"That should be the easiest thing to redact," Phillip continued.

"It's a Sharpie!" shouted Democratic strategist Van Jones from across the table.

"Truly, do you buy that the issue is that they can't redact the names and identities of the victims?" Phillip asked.

Watch the exchange here.