Former President Donald Trump is encountering significant backlash regarding his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, as his attempts to dismiss the criticism as a “hoax” seem increasingly ineffective. Prominent figures across the political spectrum are stepping forward to voice their dissent, while some of his supporters have taken to recording videos of themselves burning their iconic Make America Great Again hats.
The controversy erupted following a call from Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, a known Trump loyalist, for the release of all documents related to Epstein, a convicted sex offender and former associate of Trump. This has sparked unrest among Trump’s typically steadfast base, raising questions about the administration's handling of critical information. Former Vice President Mike Pence echoed this sentiment on CBS News, stating, “I think the time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation and prosecution.”
Adding to the mounting pressure, conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a close adviser to Trump, has called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the Epstein files. Loomer emphasized, “Obviously, this is not a complete hoax given the fact that Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison for her crimes and activities with Jeffrey Epstein, who we know is a convicted sexual predator.”
The podcast host Theo Von, who previously attended Trump’s inauguration, expressed skepticism regarding the administration’s stance. After sharing a video of Vice President JD Vance on his show, calling for the release of the full Epstein list, Von remarked, “yeah what changed?”
Even some of Trump’s staunchest congressional allies are voicing dissatisfaction over his decision to withhold additional Epstein files. Senator Josh Hawley questioned the Department of Justice’s claims, stating, “I think it is maybe a little difficult to believe the idea that DoJ and the FBI … don’t have any idea who Epstein’s clients were,” and he called for Maxwell to testify.
In a rare break from Trump, House Speaker Johnson criticized the president on Tuesday, urging the Justice Department to release more Epstein documents and called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to “come forward and explain” the situation. Bondi has faced scrutiny after previously claiming to possess a client list related to Epstein, only to later assert that no such list existed.
Despite the backlash, House Republicans voted twice this week to block Democratic efforts to compel the public release of all Epstein files within 30 days. Only one Republican, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, supported the release.
The situation escalated further on Wednesday evening when it was reported that federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, was fired after working on the criminal cases of both Epstein and Maxwell. The Justice Department has not provided a specific reason for her dismissal, leading to further speculation and concern about the transparency surrounding the Epstein case.
As the backlash intensifies, Trump criticized what he described as “foolish Republicans” who, in his view, are aiding Democrats by focusing on documents related to Epstein. During an Oval Office meeting with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Trump stated, “Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try and do the Democrats’ work.” He referred to the ongoing scrutiny as the “Epstein hoax,” suggesting it detracts from his administration's accomplishments.
Public opinion appears to align with the critics, as a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that nearly 70% of Americans believe details surrounding Epstein are being concealed. The poll revealed that 69% of respondents think the federal government is hiding facts about Epstein’s clients, while approximately 25% are uncertain.
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on sex-trafficking charges and is believed to have died by suicide in prison in 2019. His former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
