By Wilson Adekumola
United States President, Donald Trump, has called on lawmakers in his own party to vote in favour of releasing files connected to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Writing on Sunday night, Trump urged House Republicans to approve the measure, saying they should do so “because we have nothing to hide.”
This marks a reversal in Trump’s stance, following a gradual release of documents on Epstein by House Democrats.
Some of these files reference Trump, who has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s sex abuse and trafficking.
However, details of his past associations with Epstein and other high-profile figures have sparked speculation and triggered a public dispute with one of Trump’s staunchest supporters.
Reports suggest that potentially dozens of Republicans are now prepared to break ranks and vote in favour of a bill that would compel the US government to release all documents related to Epstein and ongoing criminal investigations.
Supporters appear to have enough votes to pass the measure in the House this week, though it remains uncertain whether it would pass the Senate.
Epstein died by suicide in his New York prison cell in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges, having previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Trump dismissed the recent attention over the Epstein files as a Democrat-led “hoax” intended to “deflect” from his party’s legislative work.
“The Department of Justice has already turned over tens of thousands of pages to the Public on ‘Epstein,’ are looking at various Democrat operatives (Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Larry Summers, etc.) and their relationship to Epstein, and the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE!,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He added that he wanted Republicans to “get BACK ON POINT.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News that a vote on releasing the documents could put to rest allegations that Trump had any involvement in Epstein’s trafficking of teenage girls.
Though Trump has previously opposed releasing additional files, he has been photographed at social gatherings with Epstein. He maintains he severed contact with Epstein before the latter’s 2008 conviction and was unaware of any criminal activity.
Trump’s shift comes after Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three email exchanges, including correspondence between Epstein and his long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking. Some emails reference Trump, including a 2011 message from Epstein to Maxwell, “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him.” The White House noted that the victim referred to was prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. There is no implication of wrongdoing by Trump in the emails.
Following the release, House Republicans published a far larger tranche of 20,000 documents, arguing that Democrats had attempted to “cherry-pick” materials to “create a fake narrative to slander” Trump.
Both Democrats and some Republicans support legislation to release all files. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor of the bill, told ABC News that up to 100 Republicans might vote in favour.
The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, seeks to compel the Justice Department to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials linked to Epstein. Should it pass both chambers, Trump would also have to approve the release.
In a letter to Congress, Epstein survivors and Giuffre’s family urged lawmakers to back the measure. “Remember that your primary duty is to your constituents. Look into the eyes of your children, your sisters, your mothers, and your aunts,” the letter reads.
“Imagine if they had been preyed upon. Imagine if you yourself were a survivor. What would you want for them? What would you want for yourself? When you vote, we will remember your decision at the ballot box.”
Trump’s handling of the issue has sparked a public feud with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a longtime ally.
On Friday, he labeled her “wacky” and a “traitor,” suggesting she should be unseated in next year’s elections. Greene, in turn, questioned whether Trump was still prioritizing “America First” and accused him of “making an example” of her to discourage other Republicans from supporting the bill.
Meanwhile, the US Justice Department has confirmed it will probe Epstein’s alleged connections to major banks and prominent Democrats, including former President Clinton, who has strongly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Recent file releases also mention Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn and major Democratic donor, and Larry Summers, Clinton’s former Treasury Secretary. Summers has expressed regret for associating with Epstein post-conviction, while Hoffman said his involvement was limited to fundraising for MIT.
