Multiple survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse said a long-awaited meeting with attorney general nominee Todd Blanche felt more like an obligatory box to check than a substantive conversation.The big picture: For Blanche, the meeting was a necessary step to unlock a crucial vote for his confirmation to be the nation's chief law enforcement officer. For survivors, it was a historic first in their lengthy trek for justice.Blanche met with Epstein's victims on Thursday, after retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) signaled a sit-down with survivors was necessary before he would vote to advance the acting attorney general's nomination to the full Senate.A single Republican "no" vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Tillis serves, would halt Blanche's nomination.What they're saying: Annie Farmer, an accuser of Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell said she found Blanche "abrasive, condescending, and intentionally noncommittal to survivors — a marked contrast to his public testimony during his confirmation hearing."She alleged in a statement that Blanche's explanations for his interview with Maxwell and her transfer to a minimum security prison camp were "wholly dissatisfactory and contrived."Dani Bensky, a survivor who testified against Blanche to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, said in an interview with MS NOW that while she previously felt "a small glimmer of hope," the meeting was not "substantive" or "productive.""It had absolutely nothing to do with us," survivor Elizabeth Stein said, echoing her fellow survivors in an interview.
"It had everything to do with Blanche checking a box so that he can get a promotion."Stein said it was "demoralizing, to say the very least."The other side: A DOJ spokesperson, however, described the meeting as a "productive, initial discussion" that was attended by Blanche, survivors, senior DOJ officials, FBI special agents and victim services representatives."Acting AG Blanche answered questions and walked through what is needed for investigations to proceed," the spokesperson said in a statement provided to Axios, adding that Blanche encouraged victims to meet with FBI investigators "as the next step."Catch up quick: "When it comes to the victims of this horrible man, we will never, never, not talk to victims," Blanche said during his confirmation hearing Wednesday.But Blanche also said he was "prohibited … Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Thursday he would not vote to confirm acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the permanent role until Blanche meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse.Why it matters: Even a single Republican "no" vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee would prevent Blanche's nomination from advancing to a confirmation vote before the full Senate.What they're saying: "I have not made a final decision, but Mr. Blanche said very quickly yesterday that he would meet with the Epstein victims today if it could be arranged," Tillis said during Thursday's committee hearing."[I]t seemed to me that Mr.
Blanche was willing to say that he would meet with them — and counsel. I understand the restriction that counsel has to be present. I expect that meeting to occur before I'm willing to vote out of this committee." "And I'm trying to get to yes, but this is a very important part of getting to yes.
There should not be any reason why, based on what Mr. Blanche said yesterday, if he said that he would do it today, then he can certainly do it over the next two weeks."Catch up quick: Blanche said during Wednesday's hearing that he was "prohibited from meeting directly with" survivors but added that he has met with many of their attorneys. "If they are represented by counsel, we will work with their counsel.
If they don't have a lawyer, I will certainly make arrangements to make sure the right people at the Department of Justice meet with them."He also said he would arrange for a staffer to speak further with the survivors.Yes, but: Earlier in Thursday's hearing, Epstein survivor Dani Bensky said that she was "not aware" of a staffer reaching out to follow up on Blanche's comments. "They have not contacted us," Bensky said. The DOJ did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.Zoom out: Tillis announced in 2025 that he would retire from Congress when his term ends in 2027.Go deeper: Blanche sidesteps questions on federal agents at polls
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