Alexandria Reyes 
August 3, 2025 — A recent statement by Newsmax host Greg Kelly suggesting that convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell may be innocent has ignited significant backlash and reignited public scrutiny of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, has been a polarizing figure since her 2021 conviction. Kelly’s remarks, made on his program Greg Kelly Reports, have drawn sharp criticism from survivors, legal experts, and media commentators who point to overwhelming evidence of Maxwell’s complicity in Epstein’s crimes.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a former associate and girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, was convicted in December 2021 on five counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and three conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors presented evidence from multiple victims who testified that Maxwell not only facilitated Epstein’s abuse of underage girls but also participated in some instances, including inappropriate physical contact.
Court records show that at least 40 women have credibly accused Maxwell of grooming, abusing, or enabling their exploitation over a decade.
Her 20-year sentence, handed down in 2022, was seen as a landmark moment for Epstein’s victims seeking justice.
On July 24, 2025, during a segment of Greg Kelly Reports, Kelly questioned Maxwell’s guilt, suggesting she “just might be a victim” and that her conviction resulted from a “rush to judgment.”
He cast doubt on the credibility of the allegations against her, attributing them to “the media” and “prosecutors” while dismissing the testimony of dozens of victims.
Kelly further implied that the Justice Department under the Biden administration may have unfairly targeted Maxwell, a claim that lacks substantiation given that her arrest and prosecution began under the Trump administration in 2020.
Kelly’s remarks extended to suggesting that Maxwell’s 20-year sentence was excessive, stating, “She deserves to be out, and maybe she never deserved to be there in the first place.”
He referenced Alan Dershowitz, a former Epstein attorney, to bolster his argument, though Dershowitz himself has faced scrutiny for his association with Epstein, including allegations (later dropped) in a lawsuit by victim Virginia Giuffre.
These comments have been widely condemned as dismissive of the survivors’ trauma and the judicial process that led to Maxwell’s conviction.
Survivor and Public Reaction
The backlash to Kelly’s statements was swift and fierce. Independent journalist Yashar Ali shared a clip of the segment on social media, highlighting the testimony of 40 women who accused Maxwell of sexual misconduct.
Business Insider’s Jacob Shamsian also posted excerpts from victim testimonies, emphasizing Maxwell’s direct role in the abuse.
Survivors and their advocates have expressed outrage, particularly in light of Maxwell’s recent transfer to a minimum-security facility in Bryan, Texas, which some have criticized as overly lenient.
A coalition of six survivors, including representatives of the late Virginia Giuffre, issued a statement calling Maxwell a “sexual predator” and decrying her preferential treatment as a failure of the justice system.
The survivors’ coalition noted, “Ghislaine Maxwell is a sexual predator who physically assaulted minor children on multiple occasions, and she should never be shown any leniency.”
They expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s handling of the case, particularly after Maxwell’s meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 23 and 24, 2025, to discuss information she claims to have about Epstein’s associates.
Critics, including MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, have suggested these meetings may be an attempt to leverage Maxwell’s cooperation to mitigate political fallout for figures like Donald Trump, whose name appears in Epstein’s files.
The Epstein case has long been a point of contention for former President Donald Trump, who was a known associate of Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Trump has faced scrutiny for his past comments, including wishing Maxwell “well” after her 2020 arrest and recently stating he has not ruled out pardoning her.
These remarks have fueled speculation about political motivations behind the Justice Department’s engagement with Maxwell, especially as Trump’s appointees, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, lead efforts to unseal Epstein-related grand jury records.
In a July 6, 2025, memo, the DOJ and FBI concluded that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 and that no “client list” of high-profile accomplices exists, contradicting long-standing conspiracy theories.
However, Trump’s campaign promise to release all Epstein files has yet to be fulfilled, drawing criticism from both his supporters and opponents.
Some conservative influencers, like Charlie Kirk, have cautiously endorsed engaging Maxwell for information, while others, like Laura Loomer and Whitney Webb, warn that her testimony could be manipulated to protect powerful figures.
Congressional Subpoena and Legal Developments
On July 23, 2025, Maxwell was subpoenaed by Congress to testify about her knowledge of Epstein’s network, with her appearance scheduled in the coming weeks.
Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, indicated that Maxwell may invoke her Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination, though she has expressed willingness to testify truthfully if granted immunity.
The Oversight Committee’s interest in Maxwell coincides with ongoing efforts to unseal Epstein’s grand jury records, a process led by Trump’s political appointees rather than the original prosecutors who secured Maxwell’s conviction.
GOP Representative Scott Perry has called for heightened security measures to ensure Maxwell’s safety, citing Epstein’s death in custody.
Meanwhile, victims’ attorney Sigrid McCawley criticized the government for failing to notify survivors about Maxwell’s prison transfer or the unsealing request, underscoring a perceived lack of transparency.
A federal court deadline of August 4, 2025, has been set for victims to respond to the DOJ’s request to unseal redacted records, signaling continued legal activity in the case.
Kelly’s remarks have not only reopened wounds for Epstein’s survivors but also highlighted the polarized narratives surrounding the case.
While some conservative voices attempt to reframe Maxwell as a potential victim, the evidence from her trial— including firsthand accounts from survivors—paints a starkly different picture.
The ongoing developments, including Maxwell’s DOJ meetings and congressional subpoena, underscore the complexity of pursuing justice in a case intertwined with political and cultural fault lines.
As survivors prepare to address the court, their voices remain central to countering attempts to rewrite the established facts of Maxwell’s crimes.
Also Read: MAGA Now Scrutinize Trump Over Epstein Client List Failure
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Frank Nez 
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No sane person expected her to serve that time.