The release of thousands of emails connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein set the internet ablaze last week, thanks in part to one bizarre and unexpectedly viral exchange.
Within the document dump, published by the House Oversight Committee, readers found a strange conversation between Epstein and his brother Mark that referenced Donald Trump allegedly engaging in a sexual act with someone referred to only as “Bubba.”
That single nickname was all it took for social media to explode with speculation, jokes, and theories.
The email in question, dated March 2018, showed Mark Epstein telling his brother to ask Steve Bannon whether Vladimir Putin “has the photos of Trump blowing Bubba.” Jeffrey Epstein, in response, quipped, “and i thought- I had tsuris,” using the Yiddish word for troubles. Once the messages surfaced publicly, users zeroed in on the nickname.
Emails between Epstein and his brother reference Trump and 'Bubba', which many believe could be Bill Clinton. Credit: Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images.
Why “Bubba” Immediately Sparked Clinton Speculation
The nickname Bubba has long been associated with former President Bill Clinton. And given that both Clinton and Trump had well-documented ties to Jeffrey Epstein at various points, many online commentators jumped to the conclusion that the exchange was either a jab at Clinton, a coded reference, or something far more serious.
Memes, joke theories, and mock-investigations proliferated across social media platforms within hours. Some users approached it from a place of dark humor, while others attempted to read between the lines, convinced the brothers’ messages hinted at something hidden within Epstein’s infamous social circle.
Mark Epstein Gives Stern Responses to Clinton Questions
As speculation gained momentum, Mark Epstein released a statement attempting to shut down the most prominent theory. Shared by Business Insider reporter Jacob Shamsian, the statement insisted that people were misinterpreting the email entirely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to ‘Bubba’ in this correspondence is not, in any way, a reference to former President Bill Clinton,” Mark wrote. He also described the exchange as “simply part of a humorous private exchange between two brothers,” criticizing attempts to attach broader meaning or political implications to the messages.
But while the statement dismissed Clinton as the person behind the nickname, it offered no alternative explanation. The true identity of “Bubba” remains unaddressed, leaving the mystery wide open.
Then, on Monday (November 17) Mark appeared via phone call on NewsNation where a reporter asked him about the Clinton rumor. "Let me stop you here," Mark responds. "I'm not discussing that email. This was a private email between Jeffrey and myself – two brothers talking – it's nobody's business what we wrote."
He continued: "The only thing I responded to, because people got crazy, was the 'Bubba' reference and they tried to pin it on Clinton. So I made a public statement that it was not any reference to Bill Clinton. I like Bill Clinton and sorry for him that he had to go through that. But the emails had nothing to do with Clinton and that's my last word on that email."
Speculation Continues
Even after the clarification, the online chatter has barely slowed. The sheer volume of emails released has reignited public fascination with Epstein’s extensive web of acquaintances, many of whom were powerful political, business, and entertainment figures. Any unusual detail within the documents was bound to attract attention, and the “Bubba” reference quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the release.
For now, the question of who “Bubba” refers to remains unanswered. And as more of Epstein’s communications continue to surface publicly, each new detail adds another layer to the already sprawling conversation surrounding his connections and influence. Whether the remark was a harmless joke or a clue to something larger, the internet shows no signs of letting this particular mystery go anytime soon.