Newly released emails from the late financier Jeffrey Epstein suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump was aware of Epstein’s sexual abuse activities and allegedly spent time with one of his victims at the financier’s home, according to documents made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.
Trump, who has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, dismissed the revelations as a political distraction by his opponents. However, the emails have reignited scrutiny of Trump’s long-standing ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
The committee said the three emails “raise serious questions about Donald Trump’s knowledge of Epstein’s horrific crimes.”
Emails Indicate Trump’s Alleged Involvement
In one message dated April 2011, Epstein told his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had spent “hours” with one of Epstein’s victims later identified by the White House as Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s primary accuser.
“I want you to realize that the dog that hasn’t barked is Trump,” Epstein allegedly wrote. “She spent hours at my house with him … he has never once been mentioned.”
Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 following Epstein’s death, responded, “I have been thinking about that…”
In another email sent to author Michael Wolff in January 2019, Epstein allegedly stated:
“Of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.”
Republicans later published thousands of additional emails obtained through a subpoena of Epstein’s estate, including one in which Epstein referred to Trump as “dirty.”
Congress Pushes for Epstein File Release
Pressure mounted on Wednesday when House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that lawmakers would vote next week on a measure compelling the Justice Department to release all remaining Epstein case files.
Democrats argue that the documents could shed further light on the network of powerful individuals linked to Epstein. Trump, however, has urged Republicans to reject what he called a political “trap.”
“The Democrats are trying to revive the Jeffrey Epstein hoax because they’ll do anything to distract from their failures,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Despite Trump’s efforts, Representative Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in tipped the balance, allowing Democrats to secure enough signatures to advance the petition.
White House Response and Political Fallout
The White House accused Democrats of selectively leaking information to “create a false narrative” targeting Trump. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, had previously described Trump as “friendly” during their limited encounters.
The Epstein controversy continues to shadow Trump’s political career, with his supporters many from the MAGA movement expressing frustration over the Justice Department’s handling of the case. The Department reaffirmed earlier this year that Epstein’s death was a suicide and that no so-called “client list” existed, despite long-running conspiracy claims.
Epstein and Trump maintained a 15-year friendship, often seen together at social events, before reportedly falling out in 2004 over a real estate dispute. Trump later distanced himself from Epstein, calling him a “terrible man.”
