Trump Backs Release After Policy Shift
Donald Trump now urges House Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files. He writes on Truth Social that his party has “nothing to hide.” His reversal comes as many Republicans show readiness to break ranks. The House plans a vote this week on a bill forcing the Justice Department to publish the documents. Supporters expect enough votes in the House, though the Senate result remains uncertain. Trump must approve the release if both chambers pass it.
Bipartisan Support Continues to Grow
Democrats and several Republicans back the measure. Co-sponsor Thomas Massie predicts that up to 100 Republicans may support the bill. The Epstein Files Transparency Act demands the release of all unclassified records tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump posts after returning from Florida and highlights the thousands of pages already made public. He names several Democratic figures and stresses that the House Oversight Committee may access all legally permitted files. He urges Republicans to stay focused.
Spotlight Returns to Well-Known Democrats
Trump mentions Bill Clinton after the Justice Department confirms new reviews of Epstein’s ties to major banks and powerful Democrats. Recent document releases also mention Reid Hoffman and Larry Summers. A Summers aide said in 2023 that Summers regretted any contact after Epstein’s conviction. Hoffman says he only raised funds for MIT and never acted as a client. He urges Trump to move ahead with the release. Trump says he will ask Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI to examine Epstein’s links to Clinton and others. Clinton denies knowing about Epstein’s crimes.
New Releases Fuel Political Clash
Trump’s reversal follows the publication of three email exchanges by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. These messages involve Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Some emails mention Trump, including a 2011 message about hours spent at Epstein’s home. Republicans respond by releasing 20,000 additional documents. They accuse Democrats of selecting files that cast Trump in a negative light. The House then schedules a vote on a broader release of Epstein material.
Internal Republican Rift Widens
Trump repeats his claim that the controversy reflects a politically driven “hoax.” His remarks follow comments from the House speaker, who says a vote could settle questions about past ties between Trump and Epstein. Trump also escalates his feud with Marjorie Taylor Greene. He calls her “wacky” and later labels her a “traitor.” Greene questions whether Trump still puts the country first and criticizes his handling of the files.
Survivors Call for Transparency
Epstein survivors and the family of Virginia Giuffre urge Congress to support the release. They remind lawmakers of their duty to the public. Their letter urges members to imagine the same harm affecting their families. They warn that voters will remember each decision in the next election.
