By Matthew Robinson, Amanda Castro, and Hannah Parry
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President Donald Trump has told House Republicans to vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, saying they have "nothing to hide." Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, he said: "It’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat 'Shutdown.'" Trump previously criticized House Republicans who announced their intention to vote for the release of the files as "very bad, or stupid." Newsweek contacted the White House for comment by email outside of normal business hours on Sunday evening.
Trump also said on Monday that he would sign legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release additional files related to Epstein if the measure clears Congress. His remarks come as the House prepares for a vote on the bill, which has drawn bipartisan attention amid calls for transparency.
What To Know
- Trump has been pulled deeper into the scandal since the release of several Epstein emails by the House Oversight Committee Democrats that mentioned the president, including a reference to him as the "dog that hasn't barked."
- The White House has said the emails were "selectively leaked" to "liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump."
- Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he has “no problem” signing the legislation if it passes both chambers.
- Representatives Massie and Khanna introduced a bill over the summer that would require the Department of Justice to release all unclassified files related to the Epstein investigation.
- When the bill did not receive a vote, Massie submitted it as a discharge petition to force a vote after it received 218 signatures.
- The matter came to a head last week, when the government shutdown ended and the House of Representatives had to hold a session to consider and pass the Senate spending bills. To do so, House Speaker Mike Johnson swore in newly elected Representative Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, a Democrat, who immediately provided the 218th signature on Massie's discharge petition.
- The House intends to hold a vote on Massie's bill on Tuesday, after which it would move to the Senate and then to the president's desk.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Nov 17, 2025 at 08:01 PM EST
‘We’ll give them everything,’ Trump vows on Epstein
President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to "give them everything" on the Epstein files as he said he didn't want to detract from his administration and the Republicans' successes.
“All I want is, I want for people to recognize a great job that I’ve done on pricing, on affordability, because we brought prices way down,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “I just don’t want Epstein to detract from the great success of the Republican Party, including the fact that the Democrats are totally blamed for the shutdown.”
Trump said he would sign the bill to release all the Epstein files if it came across his desk.
"We’ll give them everything. Sure. I would let them, let the Senate look at it, let anybody look at it, but don’t talk about it too much, because honestly, I don’t want to take it away from us. It’s really a Democrat problem. The Democrats were Epstein’s friends, all of them, and it’s a hoax," he said.
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:45 PM EST
Schiff says Americans deserve to know what ‘evidence’ Epstein had that he said ‘could take down Trump’
Sen. Adam Schiff slammed President Donald Trump for branding the Jeffrey Epstein files a "hoax," as he said the American people deserve to know more.
"Donald Trump keeps crying ‘hoax’ when pressed on releasing the Epstein files," he said on X.
"But the American people deserve to know what evidence a convicted child sex trafficker had that he said could “take down” Trump," he added.
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:20 PM EST
Who was mentioned in the Epstein emails?
Here's who was mentioned in the Epstein emails:
- Donald Trump
- Former Prince Andrew
- Michael Wolff
- Bill Clinton
- Larry Summers
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:02 PM EST
House Rules Committee votes along party lines to allow floor debate, vote on Epstein files Tuesday
Nov 17, 2025 at 06:30 PM EST
WATCH: Moment Trump says he’ll sign bill to release Epstein files, ‘All for it’
Nov 17, 2025 at 06:15 PM EST
Date, time announced for House vote on Epstein vote
The House of Representatives has officially scheduled the vote on the bill to release the Justice Department files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaker Mike Johnson had confirmed previously that the vote would take place this week after Democrats gained the final signature needed on their petition to force the vote.
Now the House has scheduled the vote for Tuesday afternoon.
Nov 17, 2025 at 06:00 PM EST
Who is Jay Clayton? Pam Bondi’s lead to new Epstein probe
Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, has been selected by Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Trump administration’s newly announced probe into matters linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Bondi announced the choice on X, writing: “Thank you, Mr. President. SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton is one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country, and I’ve asked him to take the lead. As with all matters, the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.”
Earlier Friday, President Donald Trump said he would ask Bondi and the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s ties to prominent Democrats, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman.
The announcement, made on Truth Social, drew pushback, even from within his own party. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska told CNN that directing federal law enforcement in this way risks undermining its credibility.
Full Story: Who is Jay Clayton? Pam Bondi’s Pick to Lead Trump’s Epstein Probe
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:51 PM EST
Trump explains hoarse voice as result of trade dispute
Trump appeared audibly hoarse during remarks at the White House on Monday, telling reporters he strained his voice while shouting at officials over trade.
“I feel great — I was shouting at people, because they were stupid about something having to do with trade in a country, and I straightened that out,” Trump said when asked about his raspy tone. “But I blew my stack at these people.”
The president was hosting a meeting of the White House FIFA World Cup 2026 task force in the Oval Office, where his voice remained strained throughout. Pressed for details, Trump said a country had sought to renegotiate the terms of a trade deal, but declined to identify which nation.
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:39 PM EST
Trump says he would sign bill releasing Epstein files
President Donald Trump said Monday he would sign legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release additional files related to Jeffrey Epstein if the measure passes Congress.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump insisted Republicans had “nothing to do with Epstein” and described the scandal as a Democratic problem. He noted his administration had already released 50,000 pages of documents and dismissed the controversy as a “Russia hoax” aimed at Republicans.
The House is expected to vote on the measure on Tuesday. Trump said he does not want the Epstein debate to “detract” from GOP successes, pointing to energy prices, foreign policy, and what he called Democratic responsibility for the recent government shutdown.
“Sure, I would,” Trump said when asked directly about signing the bill. “Let the Senate look at it. Let anybody look at it, but don’t talk about it too much.”
The legislation would compel the Justice Department to disclose remaining records tied to Epstein, the financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex‑trafficking charges.
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:26 PM EST
Trump calls Epstein case a ‘hoax,’ urges GOP to stay focused
President Donald Trump downplayed the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, telling allies he does not want the issue to overshadow Republican achievements.
“What I just don’t want Epstein to do is detract from the great success of the Republican Party,” Trump said. “Don’t talk about it too much, because honestly, I don’t want it taking away from us. It’s really a Democrat problem. The Democrats were Epstein's friends. All of them. The whole thing is a hoax.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:13 PM EST
Lawmaker says Prince Andrew ‘hiding’ from Epstein inquiry
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D‑Va.) accused Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, the former prince, of “hiding” from a request to sit for a deposition before the House Oversight Committee investigated Jeffrey Epstein.
Subramanyam said Andrew has not responded to the panel’s invitation, issued earlier this month, as lawmakers examine how the U.S. government handled Epstein’s case. King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal title in 2022 amid scrutiny of his ties to Epstein and allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who said the financier trafficked her.
The congressman noted that Andrew’s name continues to surface in newly released documents, including more than 20,000 emails from Epstein’s estate that detail connections with Donald Trump and other prominent figures. “If he is hoping the story will just go away by ignoring us, he will be sorely disappointed,” Subramanyam said.
While Democrats pressed for Andrew’s testimony, Republicans who control the House have not joined the effort, and Andrew cannot be subpoenaed as a foreign national. Subramanyam said others close to him may be asked to testify instead.
The comments come as the House prepares to vote Tuesday on legislation requiring the Justice Department to release additional Epstein files. Trump, who initially opposed the measure, reversed course Sunday and urged Republicans to support it.
Nov 17, 2025 at 04:58 PM EST
When was Jeffrey Epstein arrested?
Jeffrey Epstein’s legal troubles might have ended with his 2008 plea deal. Still, a 2018 Miami Herald investigation reignited scrutiny by uncovering new allegations and detailing how he manipulated the justice system to halt an FBI probe and secure immunity for potential co‑conspirators. The reporting identified about 80 women who said Epstein abused them between 2001 and 2006.
In 2019, federal agents arrested Epstein in New York, charging him with trafficking girls as young as 14. He died later that year in jail while awaiting trial, with authorities ruling his death a suicide.
President Donald Trump responded at the time by demanding a “full investigation” into Epstein’s network, suggesting influential figures could face accountability. Yet in 2020, Trump expressed sympathy for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, telling Axios’ Jonathan Swan, “I do wish her well. I’m not looking for anything bad for her.”
The revelations and Trump’s mixed comments underscored the enduring controversy surrounding Epstein’s crimes and the broader questions of who may have enabled them.
Nov 17, 2025 at 04:34 PM EST
How is Larry Summers tied to Jeffrey Epstein? What to know
Newly released emails reveal regular correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers from 2017 to 2019, suggesting a closer relationship than previously documented.
The exchanges, published Wednesday as part of more than 20,000 pages of documents released by House Republicans, show Epstein offering personal advice to Summers about his relationship with a woman in London. In one March 2019 email, Epstein counseled Summers on how to respond to her behavior, framing the dynamic as a competition.
President Donald Trump was also a recurring subject in the emails, with Epstein describing him in late 2018 as “borderline insane.”
The communications occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea to prostitution‑related charges and amid renewed scrutiny following The Miami Herald’s investigation into his plea deal. Summers declined to comment on the latest disclosures, pointing instead to past statements in which he acknowledged regretting his association with Epstein.
Summers, who served as Treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton and later led Harvard University, had previously been linked to Epstein through a 2014 exchange reported by The Wall Street Journal, in which he sought Epstein’s advice on funding for a project led by his wife, Harvard professor Elisa New.
Nov 17, 2025 at 04:21 PM EST
When is the House voting on Jeffrey Epstein’s files?
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on November 18 on legislation that would compel the Department of Justice to release additional files tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex‑trafficking charges.
If approved, the bill would move to the Senate before requiring President Donald Trump’s signature. The vote comes amid heightened scrutiny of Epstein’s network and renewed calls for transparency from survivors and lawmakers.
Nov 17, 2025 at 04:08 PM EST
Was Barack Obama in the Epstein files? What to know about who was
U.S. lawmakers have released more than 20,000 pages of documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, offering new insight into the disgraced financier’s wide‑ranging network. The files include witness statements, emails, and correspondence with figures in politics, media, and business.
Among those mentioned are President Donald Trump, former adviser Steve Bannon, Prince Andrew, journalist Michael Wolff, economist Larry Summers, attorney Kathryn Ruemmler, investor Peter Thiel, linguist Noam Chomsky, and publicist Peggy Siegal. The documents highlight Epstein’s extensive contact book but do not indicate wrongdoing by those named.
Trump, who was once friendly with Epstein, has said they fell out in 2004 and has consistently denied any misconduct. The files also show Wolff and Epstein discussing Trump’s first presidential campaign, Summers corresponding about global figures, and Ruemmler exchanging emails with Epstein years after serving as White House counsel under Barack Obama.
Importantly, Barack Obama himself does not appear in the released files.
The disclosures have intensified calls for transparency, with advocates arguing the records could shed light on how Epstein operated and who may have enabled him.
Nov 17, 2025 at 03:55 PM EST
Catch up: What is going on with the Epstein files?
The “Epstein files” refer to thousands of documents gathered by U.S. investigators about Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial. The trove includes witness statements, evidence, and correspondence, some of which have already been made public.
Epstein’s ties to influential figures — including Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton, and former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson — have fueled demands for transparency. All have denied wrongdoing.
Advocates say releasing the files could shed light on the scope of Epstein’s crimes and whether others were complicit or aware. Critics argue the documents may expose damaging information about individuals in Epstein’s orbit.
Trump’s position has shifted. He previously said he had “no problem” with disclosure, but later dismissed the controversy as a partisan “Epstein Hoax.” Over the weekend, however, he urged House Republicans to vote for release, insisting “we have nothing to hide.”
The House is expected to vote Tuesday on legislation requiring the Justice Department to release the remaining files. If approved, the measure would move to the Senate before reaching Trump’s desk for final sign‑off.
Nov 17, 2025 at 03:42 PM EST
Also in the news: FEMA acting administrator resigns amid agency uncertainty
David Richardson has stepped down as acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to people briefed on the matter, adding fresh uncertainty to the Trump administration’s plans for the agency.
Richardson, a former Marine who previously served as assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security’s office for countering weapons of mass destruction, was appointed in May after Cameron Hamilton was ousted for defending FEMA’s role before Congress. Richardson’s lack of emergency management experience — a legal requirement for the position — drew staff concern, and his tenure was marked by controversial remarks, including a comment that he did not know the U.S. had a hurricane season.
His resignation comes as President Trump weighs eliminating or overhauling FEMA, shifting more disaster response responsibilities to states. A FEMA Review Council report outlining reforms is expected by year’s end, with proposals ranging from raising thresholds for federal intervention to limiting FEMA’s role in long‑term recovery.
Since Trump took office, more than 2,000 FEMA employees — roughly one‑third of its workforce — have departed, including senior leaders. The administration’s stance on FEMA has fluctuated, softening after deadly Texas floods in July but continuing to emphasize reform.
Emergency managers nationwide are awaiting the forthcoming report to gauge the agency’s future role, as recent disasters in Alaska and the Plains have tested FEMA’s evolving strategy.
Nov 17, 2025 at 03:29 PM EST
Democrat House member accuses DOJ of ‘dragging their feet’
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, has accused the Justice Department of "dragging their feet" over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"Let’s be clear: The DOJ has already been subpoenaed. They’re legally obligated to release the full Epstein files—and they’re still dragging their feet," she said in a post on X.
Crockett added that she would be voting in favor of the discharge petition Tuesday to push for their release.
"It’s a shame we’ve even gotten to the point of needing a discharge petition. They claim they have nothing to hide, but the way they keep dodging deadlines and slow-walking subpoenas says otherwise… Tomorrow’s vote is about forcing the transparency the American people should’ve had months ago. Have no doubt: I’ll be voting YES," she added.
Nov 17, 2025 at 03:15 PM EST
Democrat senator makes prediction about Epstein file release
Sen. Chris Coons shared his "hunch" for what the Trump administration will do regarding the release of the Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking on an interview with Morning Joe, Coons predicted that Attorney General Pam Bondi will use the new investigation she has launched, at President Donald Trump's behest, into Epstein's links to a number of high profile Democrats, to prevent the files from being released.
Bondi had previously said that all investigations into Epstein were closed.
"My hunch is that Attorney General Bondi, having just been ordered on social media by the president to open an investigation into a series of high-profile Democrats, will promptly say, 'No, there's an ongoing investigation, we can't disclose any of this,' and the president will back that up,'" he said.
Nov 17, 2025 at 03:13 PM EST
More in the news: Trump announces new FIFA pass visa for World Cup
President Donald Trump has announced a new visa, known as the FIFA Pass, ready for the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
It will allow ticketholders to receive prioritized interviews for visas, as Trump said he “strongly” encouraged anyone planning to travel to the U.S. for the games to apply for their visas “right away."
The Trump administration have had somewhat mixed messaging on visitors for the World Cup as they crack down on multiple types of immigration - both legal and not.
JD Vance sparked controversy recently when he told anyone planning to come that "when the time is up, they'll have to go home" or "they'll have to talk to Secretary Noem."
Nov 17, 2025 at 03:00 PM EST
Ghislaine Maxwell filing Habeas petition, denies seeking pardon
Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney Leah Saffian said on Friday that she is filing a Habeas petition as she said new evidence had come to light since her trial.
"In Ms Maxwell’s case, her Habeas petition provides the court with material evidence not available at her trial in November-December 2021. In the four years since the verdict new evidence has indeed come to light – and is continuing to do so. The Habeas petition demonstrates that had this evidence been available it would have had a material impact on the trial’s outcome," she said in a statement,
"It also demonstrates unequivocally that significant government – and juror - misconduct occurred pre-, during and post-trial, making the verdict at the very least unsafe. It shows that Ms Maxwell has every right to expect rapid and meaningful relief from the court, thus potentially obviating the need for any further action relating to her imprisonment."
Saffian also denied reports that Maxwell had asked for a pardon or commutation, as she said prisoners need to demonstrate they have exhausted all "possible avenues of appeal" first.
Nov 17, 2025 at 02:45 PM EST
Could House members change their mind on Epstein petition before vote?
While members of the House of Representatives could potentially change their mind on their support for the petition to force a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, it will have no impact on the vote scheduled for next week.
Now the discharge petition has the backing of 218 members, their signatures have been frozen and cannot be removed.
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, told reporters that he even if one of the signees left Congress or died, their signature would still stand.
It's an important distinction as Representative Mikie Sherrill, who won the New Jersey gubernatorial election, plans to submit her resignation
Nov 17, 2025 at 02:30 PM EST
Donald Trump’s sudden reversal on Epstein files under scrutiny
President Donald Trump has called on House Republicans to vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a sudden reversal that is getting scrutiny on social media.
"House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat ‘Shutdown,’" Trump said in a Truth Social post late Sunday.
The White House has been contacted for comment via email outside regular business hours.
Read in full: Donald Trump’s Sudden Reversal on Epstein Files Under Scrutiny
Nov 17, 2025 at 02:15 PM EST
WATCH: SNL mocks Trump over Epstein emails, ‘Blowing Bubba’
Nov 17, 2025 at 02:03 PM EST
Also in the news: Trump threatens Indiana Republicans over redistricting push
President Donald Trump warned he will “strongly endorse against” Indiana Republicans who refuse to back his plan to redraw the state’s electoral map, escalating tensions within the party.
Trump issued the threat on Truth Social, accusing Democrats of trying to “steal our seats everywhere” and vowing not to let it happen. The remarks come as GOP leaders in Indiana struggle to secure enough support for the redistricting effort, which critics say amounts to gerrymandering.
The president singled out state senators Gregory Goode and Rodric Bray for hesitancy on the proposal. Goode revealed Sunday he had been the target of a “swatting” incident at his home, though he did not link it directly to the dispute.
Trump also criticized Republican Gov. Mike Braun, suggesting he was not doing enough to secure votes. Hours later, Braun posted on X that he had a “great call” with Trump and pledged to stand with him on “the critical issue of passing fair maps in Indiana.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 01:50 PM EST
Trump, Epstein ‘fall out’ after Palm Beach property fight
Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein’s relationship soured in 2004 after the two men clashed over a foreclosed oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach. Trump ultimately outbid Epstein for the property, a rivalry that marked the end of their public association.
Trump later said in 2019 that the two had a “falling out” and had not spoken in 15 years, declaring he was “not a fan” of Epstein. More recently, Trump suggested Epstein’s recruitment of spa attendants from Mar‑a‑Lago, including Virginia Giuffre, contributed to the break.
Following the property dispute, Palm Beach police began receiving tips about young women frequenting Epstein’s home. In March 2005, a parent's complaint triggered an investigation that identified multiple potential victims.
The probe led to Epstein’s 2006 indictment and, two years later, a plea deal in Florida state court. He admitted to two felony charges, including soliciting a minor, avoiding more serious federal prosecution.
Nov 17, 2025 at 01:37 PM EST
WATCH: Congress wants to grill ‘Prince’ Andrew over Epstein ties
Nov 17, 2025 at 01:24 PM EST
Also in the news: Supreme Court to hear case on border asylum definition
The Supreme Court announced Monday it will hear a case this term testing when an asylum seeker legally “arrives in the United States” under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The law provides that individuals who arrive in the country may apply for asylum and must be inspected by immigration officers. The dispute centers on whether that arrival occurs when a person physically enters U.S. territory or when they present themselves to officials at a border crossing, even if still on the Mexican side.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled that asylum seekers “arrive” once they present themselves to an official, regardless of location. The Supreme Court’s decision could reshape how asylum claims are processed at ports of entry along the southern border.
Nov 17, 2025 at 01:11 PM EST
Pelosi praises Epstein files vote, urges action on health care
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi applauded bipartisan support for releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files, saying survivors’ demands for transparency helped drive Republicans to join Democrats in backing disclosure.
“After brave survivors demanded the Epstein Files be released, some Republicans joined Democrats to do the right thing and vote for the truth,” Pelosi wrote on X.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM EST
Epstein survivors to join lawmakers for joint press confernece
Rep. Ro Khanna, who led the bill to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, announced that he is planning to hold a press conference Tuesday with some of the convicted sex offender's victims.
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, one of the few in the GOP to join the Epstein petition, earning her a fall from President Donald Trump's graces, will also join the event.
Now the petition has been signed and the vote is going ahead, the GOP is bracing for a mass defection with at least 40 Republicans expected to vote in its favor.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM EST
Bipartisan lawmakers, survivors to press for Epstein files release
A bipartisan group of House members will join survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse on Tuesday morning for a press conference on Capitol Hill, according to a release obtained by NewsNation.
Reps. Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.), Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R‑Ga.) are scheduled to appear alongside survivors at 9 a.m. to discuss next steps for the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The measure, sponsored by Khanna and Massie, would compel the Justice Department to release all remaining records tied to Epstein’s trafficking network.
The event comes as President Donald Trump reversed his stance Sunday night, urging Republicans to support disclosure after previously dismissing the issue. His pivot followed signs that GOP defections were likely if the bill reached the floor without his backing.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s record, saying Trump has “done more for the victims than Democrats ever have,” while accusing Democrats of using Epstein’s case to score political points.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:56 PM EST
Warren urges Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers over Epstein links
...
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D‑Mass.) called on Harvard University to sever ties with former president Larry Summers following the release of newly revealed emails detailing his years of correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee last week published thousands of documents from Epstein’s estate, including exchanges in which Summers sought Epstein’s advice on personal matters and made sexist remarks. Summers, who has previously expressed regret over his association with Epstein, continued contact with him even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving minors.
Warren, a former Harvard Law professor, told CNN that Summers “cannot be trusted” with students, given his willingness to maintain ties with Epstein. “His willingness to cozy up to a convicted sex offender demonstrates monumentally bad judgment,” she said.
Summers, a longtime economic adviser who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, remains a prominent Harvard faculty member and a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. CAP said it is reviewing the disclosures to determine next steps.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM EST
Stansbury warns GOP ahead of Epstein files vote
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D‑N.M.) urged Republicans to back full disclosure of Jeffrey Epstein case files, warning that history will judge their decision.
“As my GOP colleagues contemplate whether or not to vote to release the Epstein Files tomorrow, I think it’s helpful to remember: history is watching,” Stansbury wrote on X.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM EST
Also in the news: Comey judge warns of ‘disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps’ by DOJ
A federal judge said Monday that the Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” when it indicted former FBI Director James Comey,
Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, who is presiding over the Comey case, warned that those mistakes included “fundamental misstatements of the law” by a prosecutor to the grand jury that indicted the former FBI director in September.
The also raised concerns over the use of potentially privileged communications and pointed to unexplained irregularities in the grand jury proceeding transcripts.
Fitzpatrick has now ordered the DOJ prosecutors to hand over all grand jury materials in the case to the defense.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM EST
Attorney sees Epstein controversy driving DOJ scrutiny
Attorney Jack Scarola said in a CNN interview that he is “increasingly optimistic” that the political firestorm surrounding Jeffrey Epstein will spark a broader investigation into possible corruption within the Justice Department.
Scarola cautioned that the release of Epstein’s case files may not resolve all outstanding questions. “I am not optimistic that the files themselves are going to answer all the questions that need to be answered,” he said. But he added that mounting public pressure could force accountability.
“I firmly believe it needs to happen. I have believed it needs to happen for the more than 15 years that I’ve been involved with these matters. And I think that it’s finally going to happen,” Scarola said.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:18 PM EST
Epstein survivors urge Congress to release files
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have joined together in a new video campaign calling on Congress to vote for full disclosure of government records tied to the sex‑trafficking case.
The video, produced by the anti‑trafficking group World Without Exploitation, features women holding photos of themselves at the ages they first encountered Epstein. “There’s about a thousand of us,” one participant says. “It’s time to bring the secrets out of the shadows.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM EST
WATCH: Trump backs release of all Epstein files: ‘Nothing to hide’
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:52 AM EST
Also in the news: Trump to make remarks at McDonald’s summit
President Donald Trump is expected to center his remarks on affordability during the McDonald’s Impact Summit in Washington, D.C., Monday night, according to a White House official.
Trump will tout provisions from what he calls his “one, big, beautiful bill,” including pledges of no tax on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security. Axios first reported the focus of his speech.
On Sunday, Trump previewed potential price relief, saying his administration had worked over the weekend to lower costs. “You’re going to see some of the items that were a little bit higher … we’re going to have some little price reductions, and in some cases, some pretty good ones,” he said.
The president has leaned into affordability messaging after GOP losses earlier this month, criticizing Democrats’ use of the term as a “con job.” Still, he faces pushback from allies such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued he should prioritize domestic concerns over foreign engagements.
Trump has also used McDonald’s as a campaign backdrop, donning an apron and serving fries at a Pennsylvania drive‑thru earlier this year.
...
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:40 AM EST
Thune weighs Senate action on Epstein files bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is considering whether to schedule a vote on legislation requiring the government to release all Jeffrey Epstein case files, according to a GOP leadership aide.
The bill is expected to clear the House this week, but Thune is not expected to announce his plans until after that vote. His decision will be pivotal, as Senate approval is necessary before the measure can become law and compel the Justice Department to disclose the records.
Thune has previously expressed skepticism about the need for legislation, noting that the DOJ has already released thousands of pages. In September, he told CNN he trusted the department to handle the matter appropriately and encouraged transparency, but questioned what additional action a bill would achieve.
The debate comes as President Donald Trump reversed course Sunday night, urging House Republicans to support the release of the files after months of dismissing the issue as a partisan “hoax.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:27 AM EST
GOP leaders plan Tuesday vote on Epstein files
House Republican leaders intend to bring a resolution to the floor on Tuesday directing the Justice Department to release all case files related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to a GOP source familiar with the plan.
The move follows weeks of frustration among conservatives over the White House’s handling of the issue. One Trump ally said Republicans had repeatedly urged the administration to change course, warning of potential defections if the president continued to resist disclosure.
That pressure culminated in Trump’s reversal over the weekend, when he publicly backed the House vote.
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:16 AM EST
Epstein survivors release moving video to push House Republicans to release all the files
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse have made a last-minute appeal to House Republicans to release all the Justice Department documents about the sex offender.
In a moving video, the survivors, created by World Without Exploitation, several of Epstein’s survivors hold up photos of themselves as teens, which is when they say they first met Epstein.
“There are about a thousand of us,” one survivor said in the clip, adding, “It’s time to bring the secrets out of the shadows.”
A message on the screen read, “Call your congress member and demand they release ALL of the Epstein files.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM EST
House could see rare unanimous vote on Epstein files
Lawmakers say the House may deliver a rare unanimous vote this week on releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files, after President Donald Trump urged Republicans to support the measure.
The vote had been expected to split the GOP, with members weighing loyalty to Trump against pressure from voters. But Trump’s reversal has shifted expectations, with many predicting full Republican backing.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.), often known for breaking with his party, alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.). In this case, Massie’s push has united Republicans rather than divided them.
Democrats have already signaled they will vote unanimously in favor, raising the prospect of a rare bipartisan consensus on a matter that has long fueled controversy.
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM EST
Coons predicts DOJ will block Epstein files release
Sen. Chris Coons (D‑Del.) suggested Sunday that the Justice Department may resist efforts to release all Jeffrey Epstein case files, despite mounting pressure in Congress.
“My hunch is that Attorney General Bondi, having just been ordered on social media by the president to open an investigation into a series of high‑profile Democrats, will promptly say, ‘No, there’s an ongoing investigation, we can’t disclose any of this,’ and the president will back that up,” Coons said.
Nov 17, 2025 at 10:50 AM EST
Ghislaine Maxwell’s former Prince Andrew ‘message’ email under scrutiny
Ghislaine Maxwell told Jeffrey Epstein she had been advised "to say I was not aware of massage w/andrew in my house" in a new blow to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The royal, formerly Prince Andrew, was accused by Virginia Giuffre of rape in a New York civil lawsuit that was settled in 2022. Andrew did not admit liability and has always denied the allegations.
Giuffre said Epstein and Maxwell trafficked her to London in 2001 and made her have sex with Andrew at Maxwell's London townhouse, in Belgravia, as well as in New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now, the House Oversight Committee has released an email, among a cache of more than 20,000 from Epstein's estate, in which Maxwell appears to suggest Andrew received a massage.
Read the full story: Ghislaine Maxwell’s Former Prince Andrew ‘Massage’ Email Under Scrutiny
Nov 17, 2025 at 10:37 AM EST
James Raskin calls for full disclosure of Epstein files
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D‑Md.) urged the government Monday to release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network, saying survivors deserve transparency.
“America overwhelmingly supports the survivors’ demand for complete disclosure of what the government knows about the billion‑dollar Epstein global trafficking ring. Stop the excuses and deflections—release the file,” Raskin wrote on X.
Nov 17, 2025 at 10:24 AM EST
Mar-a-Lago connection surfaces in Epstein records
Donald Trump’s private club, Mar-a-Lago, was cited in accounts connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex‑trafficking operation, according to testimony from Virginia Giuffre.
Giuffre, who was 16 at the time, said she was recruited while working at Mar-a-Lago after Ghislaine Maxwell approached her with an offer to become Epstein’s traveling masseuse. She later alleged that Epstein and Maxwell groomed her to provide sexual services to wealthy men.
Giuffre accused Epstein and Maxwell of forcing her to have sex with Prince Andrew, who has denied the allegations but stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after a photograph surfaced showing him with his arm around her waist.
Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year. In a 2016 deposition, she said she did not believe Trump participated in or witnessed abuse at Epstein’s home, noting she had only heard he had visited but never saw him there herself.
Nov 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM EST
Speaker Johnson says Epstein files vote will quash Trump allegations
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that the upcoming vote to release Jeffrey Epstein case files will put to rest speculation about President Donald Trump’s ties to the late sex offender.
“They’re doing this to go after President Trump on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not,” Johnson told Fox News. He added that Democrats have made Epstein “their entire game plan,” and argued that releasing the records would remove that line of attack.
“Let’s just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide,” Johnson said.
The House is expected to vote this week on legislation requiring the Justice Department to disclose all Epstein‑related investigative materials, with redactions only for victim identities or ongoing probes. The measure has drawn bipartisan support and comes amid renewed public pressure for transparency.
Nov 17, 2025 at 09:58 AM EST
Lawmakers confident ahead of House vote on Epstein files
Lawmakers pushing to force the release of all Jeffrey Epstein case files expressed optimism over the weekend, saying momentum is building in the House.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.) predicted that 100 or more Republicans could support the measure, which is scheduled for a floor vote Tuesday. The effort gained new traction after President Donald Trump reversed his position Sunday night, urging Republicans to back disclosure despite previously dismissing the issue as a “Democrat Hoax.”
The bill reached the floor through a discharge petition, a rarely used procedure that bypasses leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson has argued the move is unnecessary, pointing to the ongoing Oversight Committee investigation that has already released thousands of documents from Epstein’s estate.
Pressure intensified last week when the committee published a new batch of emails, some of which referenced Trump, fueling calls for transparency. Supporters say the vote will test how far Republicans are willing to go in breaking with party leadership to demand full disclosure.
Nov 17, 2025 at 09:45 AM EST
Trump urges GOP to back Epstein files release, sets busy DC schedule
President Donald Trump signaled Sunday night that he wants Republicans to move past the controversy over Jeffrey Epstein’s case files, urging them to vote for their release. Calling the matter a “Democrat Hoax,” the president’s remarks marked a sharp reversal from his earlier opposition.
The House is expected to take up legislation this week that would require the Justice Department to disclose the files. CNN reported GOP leaders were preparing for a sizable number of Republicans to break with Trump and support the measure.
Trump’s pivot comes as he faces a packed day in Washington. At 2 p.m. ET, he will meet with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026. Later, at 6 p.m., he is scheduled to deliver remarks at the McDonald’s Impact Summit, where affordability and small-business issues will be in focus.
Nov 17, 2025 at 09:32 AM EST
Trump on Marjorie Taylor Greene: ‘I don’t think anybody cares about her’
President Trump dismissed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s concerns for her safety Sunday, intensifying their public clash over releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files.
Speaking to reporters in Palm Beach, Fla., Trump again branded the Georgia Republican a “traitor,” saying, “I don’t think her life is in danger. Frankly, I don’t think anybody cares about her.” Hours later, he repeated the attack on Truth Social, mocking Greene as “Wacky Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown” and accusing her of playing the victim.
Greene responded on X, warning that Trump’s rhetoric could incite threats against her family. She cited recent “hoax pizza deliveries” and a pipe bomb threat to her family’s business, calling the president’s attacks “unwarranted and vicious.” Greene insisted she is not a traitor, pointing to her conservative voting record and long‑standing support for Trump’s agenda, while urging an end to “toxic and dangerous rhetoric.”
The feud comes as the House prepares to vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would force the Justice Department to release investigative records. Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.), who led the discharge petition bringing the bill to the floor, predicted broad bipartisan support.
Trump, who has denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, reversed course Sunday by urging Republicans to back the measure, saying “we have nothing to hide.” Still, Massie cautioned that new Justice Department probes into Epstein’s ties to Democrats could limit what is ultimately disclosed.
Nov 17, 2025 at 09:19 AM EST
WATCH: Trump calls Epstein files a deflection from his administration’s accomplishments
Nov 17, 2025 at 09:06 AM EST
Pence welcomes Trump’s shift on Epstein files
Former Vice President Mike Pence weighed in Monday on President Trump’s reversal over releasing Jeffrey Epstein case files, saying he was encouraged by the move.
“I was hopeful that the president would join those of us that have called for the full release of all the Epstein files,” Pence said during an interview on Mornings With Ridge and Frost. “Let justice be served,” he added, stressing that societies should be judged by how they protect vulnerable people, including young women.
Pressed on whether Trump might have something to hide, Pence stopped short of defending him directly. “People a lot closer to him would have to be asked,” he said, though he noted he saw no reason during their time in the White House why the files should remain sealed.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. His recent call for Republicans to back disclosure marks a notable shift after months of dismissing the issue as a partisan “hoax.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 08:53 AM EST
Also in the news: FAA to lift emergency flight reduction order
The Federal Aviation Administration will end its emergency order cutting flights at major airports, allowing operations to return to normal beginning Monday morning.
Officials said the order will lift at 6 a.m. ET, concluding two weeks of reductions that triggered widespread cancellations and delays.
The FAA had imposed a 4 percent cut in flights at 40 major airports on November 7 to ease strain on air traffic controllers facing fatigue and staffing shortages during the record‑long government shutdown.
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Nov 17, 2025 at 08:41 AM EST
Flight logs show Trump took seven trips on Epstein’s jets
Between 1993 and 1997, Donald Trump’s name appeared seven times in Jeffrey Epstein’s flight records, according to logs later introduced as evidence in Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial.
The documents show Trump flew on Epstein’s private jets four times in 1993, once in 1994, once in 1995 and once in 1997. The trips were primarily between Palm Beach and New York, with one stop in Washington, D.C.
Trump has acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s aircraft but has maintained he never visited the financier’s private island or engaged in any misconduct. His name and phone number also appeared in Epstein’s so‑called “little black book,” which listed numerous wealthy and influential contacts.
Nov 17, 2025 at 08:28 AM EST
John Oliver rebukes Megyn Kelly over Epstein remarks
John Oliver sharply criticized right‑wing media personality Megyn Kelly on Last Week Tonight Sunday after she suggested Jeffrey Epstein may not have been a pedophile because he was “into the barely legal type.”
Oliver mocked the framing, saying Kelly appeared to be distinguishing Epstein targeting very young teens and younger children. “Please do kill me if I ever start doing pedophile math,” Oliver quipped, accusing Kelly of trivializing the severity of Epstein’s crimes.
Kelly made the comments on her November 13 podcast, claiming she knew someone close to the scandal who did not consider Epstein a pedophile. She argued Epstein preferred 15‑year‑olds who could appear older, adding, “There’s a difference between a 15‑year‑old and a five‑year‑old.” Her remarks drew widespread condemnation, and her representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
The controversy coincided with the House Oversight Committee’s release of new Epstein records, including emails in which Epstein referenced Donald Trump. The president has denied wrongdoing and dismissed the matter as a “Jeffrey Epstein hoax.”
Congress is set to vote this week on whether the Justice Department should release all Epstein‑related files. In a reversal, Trump urged Republicans to support disclosure, writing on Truth Social that “we have nothing to hide.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 08:15 AM EST
Also in the news: BBC vows to fight Trump’s threatened defamation suit
BBC chair Samir Shah has rejected President Trump’s threat to sue the broadcaster for up to $5 billion, insisting there is “no basis for a defamation case.”
In an email to staff, Shah acknowledged speculation about potential legal costs but emphasized the corporation’s duty to protect licence fee payers. “Our position has not changed. There is no basis for a defamation case and we are determined to fight this,” he wrote.
Trump announced Saturday he would pursue legal action against the BBC, accusing the network of altering his words in a Panorama broadcast. “We’ll sue them for anywhere between a billion and five billion dollars, probably sometime next week,” he told reporters, claiming the corporation “cheated” by editing his remarks.
The BBC previously apologized for the segment, but Shah’s message makes clear the organization intends to contest any lawsuit.
Nov 17, 2025 at 08:02 AM EST
Trump’s social history with Epstein
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From the 1980s through the early 2000s, Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were often seen together at parties and social events, reflecting a friendship Trump himself acknowledged at the time. In a 2002 interview with New York magazine, Trump described Epstein as “a terrific guy” who, like him, enjoyed the company of “beautiful women … on the younger side.”
Footage from a 1992 Mar‑a‑Lago party shows Trump and Epstein mingling with NFL cheerleaders, laughing and pointing out women in the crowd. Months later, Epstein was reportedly the sole guest at another Trump‑hosted event featuring young women in a calendar competition. George Houraney, who organized the gathering, later said his partner Jill Harth accused Trump of sexual misconduct that evening. Harth filed a lawsuit in 1997 but later dropped it; Trump denied her allegations.
Other women have also linked the two men. Model Stacey Williams said Epstein introduced her to Trump at Trump Tower in 1993, alleging Trump groped her during the encounter. Trump has denied her account. The pair were also spotted together at a 1997 Victoria’s Secret “Angels” party in New York.
The House Oversight Committee recently released a 2003 birthday letter to Epstein that included a sexually suggestive sketch and appeared to bear Trump’s signature. The White House has denied Trump authored or signed the note, though his name was listed among contributors to a book of greetings compiled by Epstein’s friends.
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:49 AM EST
MAGA reacts to Trump backing release of Epstein files
President Trump shifted his stance on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files on Sunday, urging Republicans to join Democrats in voting to make them public. The move comes after months of dismissing the issue as a “Democratic hoax.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that “some members of the Republican Party are being used” and insisted the GOP should focus on its “record setting achievements” rather than fall into what he called the “Epstein trap.” He added that the House Oversight Committee should receive whatever records it is legally entitled to, stressing that his priority is keeping Republicans “back on point.”
The message quickly drew support from prominent MAGA figures. Influential accounts such as MAGA Voice, Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, and commentator Gunther Eagleman amplified Trump’s call, framing the release of the files as a chance to expose wrongdoing and strengthen the party. Activist Jack Posobiec also shared Trump’s post, urging followers to “get the word out.”
Not everyone welcomed the reversal. Author Evan Kilgore noted Trump’s shift from previously dismissing the files as fabricated, calling the sudden embrace of transparency a “s**tshow.”
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:36 AM EST
Uncommon knowledge: On the Epstein files, suburban moms are Trump’s biggest threat
On Sunday night, Donald Trump blinked. After days of deriding House Republicans who backed a floor vote to force the release of the Epstein files as "very bad, or stupid," the president abruptly told them they "should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide." He blamed the radical left for the furor. The reversal capped a week in which Speaker Mike Johnson, an ally, was already warming to disclosure—"There’s nothing to hide," he said on Fox—while Trumpworld struggled to tamp down a backlash set off by newly public emails mentioning Trump and the Justice Department’s earlier insistence that there was no "client list."
Conventional wisdom says this furor is driven by MAGA diehards committed to following conspiracy theories or by Democratic activists smelling blood. But polling suggests a different protagonist: college-educated, suburban women. The same voters who have swung recent elections are the most adamant that Congress should pry the whole file cabinet open. In a late-September NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist survey, 94 percent of white, college-educated women said the administration should "release all of the Epstein files" (with victims’ names removed). "Suburban" respondents overall clocked 85 percent in favor. This is a monumental threat to Republicans, and the MAGA movement, in future elections.
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:23 AM EST
Former Prince Andrew scrubbed from war plaques
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew—has been erased from plaques at public buildings in the Falkland Islands, an overseas British territory which he helped defend against military invasion.
Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, and Andrew served as a helicopter co-pilot during the war in which Britain recaptured the islands. The tour of duty made Andrew a hero in the eyes of the British people, long before the Jeffrey Epstein scandal destroyed his reputation.
In the years that followed the war, Andrew visited the islands several times to officially open several buildings, with plaques marking the occasion. While the plaques were not specifically war memorials, Andrew's role in opening those buildings recognized his status as a Falklands War hero.
Now, according to the British newspaper The Daily Mirror, those plaques have been removed from buildings across the islands due to Andrew's connection with Epstein.
Read the full story: Former Prince Andrew Scrubbed From War Plaques
Nov 17, 2025 at 07:10 AM EST
Massie forces House vote on Epstein files Transparency Act
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Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has defied his party’s leadership to secure a vote this week on releasing government files tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes after months of mounting pressure from lawmakers and the public demanding transparency about the disgraced financier’s connections to powerful figures.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had resisted bringing the measure forward, but Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, bypassed leadership using a rare discharge petition. The petition reached the required 218 signatures last week, locking in support despite a lobbying blitz from Trump allies urging Republicans to withdraw.
The bill, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would compel the Justice Department to release all investigative materials related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days. Victim identities and ongoing probes could be redacted, but the department would be barred from withholding information over concerns of political sensitivity or reputational harm.
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, framed the vote as proof he can deliver results even against entrenched opposition. “I’ve just demonstrated I can get something done with the Speaker against me, the President against me, the Vice President against me, and the FBI director against me,” he told TIME. He insists the effort is not aimed at incriminating Trump, but suspects the former president is protecting associates who may be embarrassed by disclosures.
The push follows the release of 20,000 documents from Epstein’s estate by the House Oversight Committee, which reignited scrutiny of Epstein’s ties to Trump, Bill Clinton, and other prominent figures. Trump has alternated between calling for investigations into Democrats and dismissing the issue as a “hoax,” while recently urging Republicans to support the bill, saying “we have nothing to hide.”
Although the measure is expected to pass the House with Democratic backing and some Republican support, it faces steep odds in the Senate and would likely be vetoed by Trump. Still, the vote forces Republicans to take a public stance on an issue their party leader has sought to avoid.
Nov 17, 2025 at 06:57 AM EST
Trump Denies Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Life Is In Danger
President Donald Trump has rejected claims from Marjorie Taylor Greene that his criticism of her has endangered her life, saying that he did not believe anyone was targeting her.
Greene said that she had received a pipe bomb threat against her construction company in the wake of her rift with Trump. The conflict escalated after Greene criticized Trump's stance on efforts to release the Epstein files.
Trump doubled down on his criticism of her on Sunday, saying: "I don't think her life is in danger... I don't think anyone cares about her."
He also wrote on Truth Social: "Wacky Marjorie 'Traitor' Brown (Remember, Green turns to Brown where there is ROT involved!) is working overtime to try and portray herself as a victim when, in actuality, she is the cause of all of her own problems. The fact is, nobody cares about this Traitor to our Country!"
Nov 17, 2025 at 06:21 AM EST
MAGA Reacts To Trump’s Call
People associated with the Make America Great Again movement have reacted to Trump's call for the full Epstein files to be released.
MAGA Voice, an account with 1.3 million followers, wrote on X: "BREAKING. President Trump has a message for EVERY House Republican: Vote 'YES' and release the Jeffrey Epstein Files. Time to release it ALL. GET IT DONE."
Andrew Kolvet, a Turning Point USA spokesperson and executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, wrote: "BREAKING: President Trump calls on House Republicans 'to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide…I DON’T CARE. All I care about is Republicans getting BACK ON POINT.' Good! Let's expose everything, bring justice, expose the dark deeds, and move on stronger."
Gunther Eagleman, a political commentator with over 1.6 million followers, wrote: "President Trump says… Republicans should release the Epstein files and to investigate all the democrats associated with him. Democrats are now panicking! LOL!!"
Read the full Newsweek story here.
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:36 AM EST
Democrats Tell Trump To Release Files Immediately
Democrats have responded to Trump's statement, saying that he has the power to release the Epstein files immediately without a vote in Congress.
Congressman Robert Garcia wrote on X: "I’m glad you finally realized that you are about to lose this Epstein vote and are now encouraging Republicans to VOTE YES. But you have the power to release them today without a vote. Stop the cover-up, RELEASE THE FILES!"
Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, wrote on X: "The vote is to compel YOU to release them. Let's make this easier. Just release the files now."
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:29 AM EST
Trump Says Controversy Is ‘Democrat Hoax For Purposes of Deflection’
Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said: "It's a Democrat Hoax for purposes of deflection, just like the Russia, Russia, Russia Scam!!!! They had the sleazy relationships with Epstein, and should be prosecuted."
Trump linked to a post on X from David Schoen, a civil rights and criminal defense lawyer, who said: "If Jeffrey Epstein had any dirt on Donald Trump, he would have had great leverage in the criminal case against him at the time he died. The fact that he unequivocally said he had none ought to shut down the false claims otherwise; but facts are no obstacle to political attacks."
Nov 17, 2025 at 05:16 AM EST
Trump’s Statement in Full
Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said: "As I said on Friday night aboard Air Force One to the Fake News Media, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat 'Shutdown.'
"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! All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT, which is the Economy, 'Affordability' (where we are winning BIG!), our Victory on reducing Inflation from the highest level in History to practically nothing, bringing down prices for the American People, delivering Historic Tax Cuts, gaining Trillions of Dollars of Investment into America (A RECORD!), the rebuilding of our Military, securing our Border, deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens, ending Men in Women’s Sports, stopping Transgender for Everyone, and so much more!
"Nobody cared about Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive and, if the Democrats had anything, they would have released it before our Landslide Election Victory. Some 'members' of the Republican Party are being 'used,' and we can’t let that happen. Let’s start talking about the Republican Party’s Record Setting Achievements, and not fall into the Epstein 'TRAP,' which is actually a curse on the Democrats, not us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:15 AM EST
Thune says he’s still weighing vote on bill to release Epstein files
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said that he has still not yet decided whether he will schedule a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The bill is expected to pass the House when the vote goes to floor this week. Thune is unlikely to announce the Senate vote until it passes the House.
The Republican leader said he trusts President Donald Trump to deal with the Epstein issue, but recently Trump has changed his mind on releasing the files and has endorsed the bill to release the files.
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