NBA's Stephen A Smith makes wild claim about Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump

NBA pundit Stephen A Smith believes there is a Jeffrey Epstein client list but that it doesn’t matter whether it’s released or not.

The Epstein list has long been the centre of conspiracy theories since the American financier pleaded guilty to a state charge of procuring for prostitution a girl below age 18 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison back in 2008.

However, in 2019, Epstein was arrested by the FBI-NYPD Crimes Against Children Task Force on sex trafficking charges.

Epstein died in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges, which was ruled as suicide by hanging, but conspiracy theories suggest foul play rather than suicide as to the cause of his death.

Some have suggested that Epstein was murdered to stop him implicating high ranking government officials, celebrities and other business tycoons in his crimes, though Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News earlier this year that the list was “sitting on my desk right now”.

The mugshot of Jeffrey Epstein following his 2019 arrest / Photo by Kypros/Getty Images

No incriminating Epstein List

Earlier this month, however, the Department of Justice, led by Bondi, and the FBI jointly proclaimed that there is “no incriminating 'client list'.”

And Smith has since stated that he couldn’t care less about the alleged Epstein list and that others should feel the same way, but did concede there is a list.

“It’s really surprising that this matters. I think there’s a list.” Smith said.

“I could give a damn about the Epstein client list because it has no effect on me whatsoever. I have a life and I don’t understand, for the life of me, why it matters this much.”

“With all the stuff going on in this country, will all the power that you possess… that’s why you’re upset with Trump?”

“I don’t blame Trump for one bit to be like, ‘Really, that’s what matters to you?'.'

Stephen A Smith previewing Super Bowl LIX / Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

Smith surprised that people are mad at Trump

The NBA pundit did hint that he believes Trump made the list go away as a favour to others.

“I’ve got to talk to some of these people. The Steve Bannons, the Tucker Carlsons of the world going crazy over the Epstein client list? That’s what you’re concerned about? I mean, you have such a hard-on for the president that you are losing your mind, of all things …

“On the right, you have the audacity to look at (Trump) and you are treating him like he’s the antichrist right now because of the Epstein list? That’s what you’re mad about? I do find myself a bit shocked by that.”

Author Michael Wolff has claimed that Epstein didn’t kill himself in 2019 and has even claimed he was in touch with the disgraced businessman in the hours prior to this death.