Key Takeaways
- Trump accuses Democrats of reviving “Epstein hoax” to distract from government shutdown
- Claims Epstein was a Democrat problem, names Clinton, Hoffman, Summers
- Only 40% of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of Epstein files per Reuters poll
Former President Donald Trump has accused Democratic lawmakers of attempting to revive what he calls the “Epstein hoax” to divert attention from internal party divisions during the ongoing government shutdown.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump asserted that Democrats were “using whatever power they have left” to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein issue despite the Justice Department having already released thousands of pages of related documents.
Trump’s Allegations and Responses
The former president claimed some Republican lawmakers had been “misled” by Democrats, describing them as “soft” and “unwise.” He insisted the late financier Jeffrey Epstein should be associated with Democrats rather than himself.
“Epstein was a Democrat, and he is their problem,” Trump wrote. “Ask Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman and Larry Summers. They know all about him. Don’t waste your time with Trump.”
He concluded his post with the statement: “I have a Country to run.”
The Justice Department and individuals named by Trump have not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to Reuters.
Public Opinion and Political Context
A Reuters/Ipsos poll from October reveals a significant gap in Republican perspectives: while 90% approve of Trump’s overall White House performance, only 40% approve of his handling of the Epstein files.
Epstein, who died in jail in 2019, maintained extensive connections across political and business circles. His name has resurfaced in US political discourse as Congress continues debating the government shutdown and its consequences.
