Trump has called on House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing all files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, signaling a shift from his previous cautious stance. On Sunday, Trump wrote that Republicans should support the measure “because we have nothing to hide,” reversing weeks of hesitation amid growing public scrutiny.
The debate over the Epstein documents has intensified after House Democrats gradually released materials linking the convicted sex offender to prominent figures, including Trump. While the emails and correspondence reveal past social connections, there is no evidence suggesting criminal involvement by the president.
Trump has maintained that he severed ties with Epstein long before the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Yet, newly published email exchanges between Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell reference Trump, sparking renewed debate. One 2011 email allegedly mentions Epstein hosting a victim who had “spent hours” with Trump, though it does not implicate him in wrongdoing.
House Republicans have countered Democratic releases with a larger tranche of 20,000 documents, claiming the earlier disclosures were selectively chosen to create a “false narrative.” The proposed legislation, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would compel the Justice Department to release all unclassified records, investigative materials, and communications associated with Epstein.
Support for the bill is growing across party lines. Co-sponsor Republican Representative Thomas Massie indicated that up to 100 House Republicans may back the measure, which could pass the chamber this week. Its fate in the Senate remains uncertain, and Trump’s signature would ultimately be required for final approval.
Trump’s position has fueled tensions with some of his staunch allies, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who questioned his commitment to party unity. The feud underscores the high-stakes political calculations surrounding the documents, as survivors and family members of Epstein’s victims lobby for transparency, emphasizing accountability and public interest.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department confirmed investigations into Epstein’s ties to major banks and Democratic figures such as former President Bill Clinton, with Clinton denying any wrongdoing. Figures like LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers have also publicly addressed their prior associations with Epstein, stressing limited or professional interactions.
As the political and public pressure mounts, Trump’s pivot toward supporting the release of Epstein files highlights the ongoing intersection of scandal, accountability, and party politics in Washington.
