Trump transition review finds Epshteyn sought paid retainers from appointment hopefuls

During Donald Trump's 2024 presidential transition, an internal legal review conducted by incoming White House counsel David Warrington concluded that adviser Boris Epshteyn had leveraged his proximity to Trump to solicit payments from people seeking posts or advocacy in the incoming administration. According to the review, Epshteyn sought a substantial retainer tied to Scott Bessent's candidacy for Treasury Secretary after Bessent declined to pay; the review also examined a complaint from former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens about being pressured to do business with Epshteyn. Bessent, who rejected the arrangement, reportedly believed Epshteyn then sought to undercut his nomination.

Warrington's review recommended that Trump's team sharply constrain Epshteyn's access to the president-elect. Reporting noted that Epshteyn was not accused of anything illegal — securing fees for access to senior officials is a routine part of Washington's lobbying business — but that the review appeared designed to weaken his standing in Trump's orbit. Epshteyn denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations "false and defamatory" and saying he was honored to work for Trump. He remained a senior legal adviser to Trump after the transition.