US President Donald Trump on Friday again slammed bipartisan demands for the release of Epstein files, calling the high-profile investigation into the deceased sex offender “a Democrat hoax.”
Trump defended his administration’s handling of the documents while criticising Democrats and framing the case as politically motivated.
Taking to his Truth Social Friday, Trump said Democrats “did nothing about Jeffrey Epstein while he was alive except befriend him, socialise with him, travel to his Island, and take his money” and claimed those calling for transparency are disingenuously “seeming to show such love and heartfelt concern for his victims.”
“The now dying ... Epstein case was only brought back to life by the Radical Left Democrats because they are doing so poorly, with the lowest poll numbers in the history of the Party ... while the Republicans are doing so well, among the highest approval numbers the Party has ever had,” he added.
Trump repeated his claim that the matter is “merely another Democrat HOAX, just like Russia, Russia, Russia, and all of the others, in order to deflect and distract from the great success of a Republican President, and the record setting failure of the previous Administration, and the Democrat Party,” accusing the opposition of not caring about Epstein’s many victims.
Trump reiterates ‘hoax’ remarks
His latest remarks come just two days after he criticized a group of Epstein’s victims during an Oval Office appearance alongside the president of Poland.
When asked about the Epstein records, Trump called the issue “a Democrat hoax that never ends” and compared it to the decades-long process of releasing files related to the assassination of the late president John F Kennedy, noting that “nobody’s ever satisfied” with what the government has produced in either case.
“From what I understand, thousands of pages of documents have been given. But it's really a Democrat hoax, because they're trying to get people to talk about something that's totally irrelevant to the success that we've had as a nation since I've been President,” Trump said.
In reality, members of the committee from both parties have complained that much of what has been produced is already in the public domain, and what little is original has been heavily redacted.
Criticism From Epstein’s victims
Trump’s remarks have drawn condemnation from Epstein’s victims and their families, many of whom rallied for transparency at the Capitol while he dismissed the matter.
Two House members, Reps Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, have filed a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation that would order the release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The petition would require a majority of members to sign on to circumvent leadership and hold a vote on the House floor. Even if successful, the bill would likely die in the GOP-controlled Senate.
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and...
Read MoreAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Read Less