On Wednesday, President Donald Trump faced ridicule for his response to a question from a pro-MAGA reporter. The person claimed that FBI Director Kash Patel found “burn bags” used in the Russia investigation.
Trump didn’t understand what he meant. The reporter tried to explain “bags full of …” But Trump interrupted, saying, “Oh, I thought you said appointed a man named Burn Bag.”
A burn bag is used to destroy classified documents. During his time in the White House, an aide reported that former chief of staff Mark Meadows was seen destroying documents in his office by burning them in a fireplace rather than using a so-called “burn bag.”
According to a push notification from Truth Social, Patel stated that the paper was completely burned. Fox News reporting didn’t make it clear how Patel could determine that they were Russia-related and not associated with the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. According to Patel, the bags were in a “secret room” as well.
“Trump is asked about the ‘Russiagate burnbags,’ gets confused because he thought the reporter said Patel ‘appointed a man named Burnbag,’ and then seemingly gets confused and rambles about the Epstein files,” the X account Facts Post said, explaining the matter.
A New York Times report from 2023 explained that “burn bags” are tracked. “Intel shop officials are supposed to keep track of what documents are outstanding and remain in touch with the person who picked up the material so it can eventually be returned and disposed of.”
Trump’s confusion led to giggles across the web, even among those who aren’t involved in national security affairs.
“This mfer thought there was a guy named Burn Bag,” said attorney Joshua Erlich.
A man purporting to be an intelligent person noted, “If documents are placed in ‘burn bags’ (those are indeed real things that are used daily), it is not so they can be hidden from the public for years at a time. It is so they can be burned. Burn bag items are not kept for years. And if the FBI were intent on covering something up, they would do just that—burn it. Not inexplicably keep it in a burn bag for over a decade. I’m sure even the galaxy brains who comprise the Epsteinian Guard can see through this latest lie.”
Civil rights advocate Tara Blunt commented, “The man once tried to buy Greenland—of course he thought Burn Bag was a person.”
Some recalled the staffer from the Department of Government Efficiency named “Big Balls,” noting that “Burn Bag” likely reports to him. One person quipped it’s his nickname for Donald Trump Jr.
See the clip of Trump’s statement below or at the link here.