US President Donald Trump has dramatically shifted his position by urging Republicans in Congress to support the release of the Epstein files, a move he previously resisted. Posting on Truth Social, Trump insisted his party has “nothing to hide”, calling the controversy a “Democrat hoax” pushed by radical left activists to undermine recent Republican gains.
The debate resurfaced after House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that releasing the documents may finally settle long-standing allegations linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. Although photos of Trump and Epstein from decades ago continue circulating, Trump maintains their relationship ended well before Epstein’s criminal cases began.
Recently released House committee emails revealed that Epstein believed Trump “knew about the girls,” though the context of that claim remains unclear. The renewed focus has created tension within Congress, especially after Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate Democrat connections to Epstein.
The push for transparency has also deepened fractures among Trump’s allies. He withdrew his support for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene after disagreements over the party’s handling of the issue. Meanwhile, Democrat Representative Ro Khanna, co-sponsor of the petition demanding disclosure, expects more than 40 Republicans to support the release.
With Republicans holding a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, the upcoming vote could shape the next phase of the Epstein investigation and the political narratives surrounding it.
