Epstein survivor Jess Michaels said on Friday, July 18th, 2026, that she left a meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche earlier this week feeling “disappointed, disturbed and undaunted.” Blanche agreed to meet with survivors of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following pressure from Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who holds a key vote in Blanche’s confirmation process as the top U.S. law enforcement official.

Michaels told MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace that “the way we were treated yesterday was no different than any other time,” adding, “We were hoping it would be something different, and it was not.” She criticized Blanche for failing to acknowledge the harm caused despite multiple explanations during the meeting. Michaels also addressed Senator Tillis directly, stating, “That was not a meeting, and I am going to guess that you care about this issue very much … so I can only imagine that you are just as disappointed as we are because I’m sure you asked for that meeting because you want facts too.”

The survivors are urging the acting attorney general and the Justice Department (DOJ) to continue investigative efforts related to Epstein’s crimes and to release additional documents. The DOJ has already released millions of files connected to its probe into Epstein after Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act last fall. However, victims have criticized the DOJ’s handling of the document release, accusing the department of failing to adequately protect victim privacy in its redaction process.

Blanche had stated in February that the department’s review of these files was “over.”

Sources