Read on cbsnews.comTrump Accuses Democrats of Using 'Epstein Hoax' to Deflect Government Shutdown Blame
President Trump has accused Democrats of focusing on what he calls the 'Epstein hoax' to deflect blame for the recent government shutdown. In a Truth Social post, Trump announced he has asked the Justice Department and FBI to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's involvement with prominent Democrats including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, and Reid Hoffman, as well as financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase. The announcement comes amid ongoing House investigations into Epstein's connections and follows the Justice Department's previous conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to investigate uncharged third parties.
In a significant political development, President Trump has leveled serious accusations against Democratic leaders, claiming they are using what he describes as the "Epstein hoax" to shift attention away from the recent government shutdown. The president's allegations emerged through a Truth Social post where he called for a comprehensive investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's connections with prominent Democratic figures and major financial institutions.
Trump's Investigation Request
President Trump specifically directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to investigate Epstein's involvement with former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and financial giant JPMorgan Chase. In his social media statement, Trump characterized the situation as "another Russia, Russia, Russia Scam, with all arrows pointing to the Democrats." He emphasized that records indicate these individuals "spent large portions of their life with Epstein, and on his 'Island.'"
Justice Department Response
Attorney General Bondi promptly responded to the president's request, announcing that she had asked Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the investigation. Bondi stated on social media platform X that "the Department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people." This development comes just four months after the Justice Department and FBI concluded an exhaustive review of Epstein-related material, determining they had not uncovered evidence warranting investigation of uncharged third parties.
Political Context and Timing
The president's announcement arrives as the House prepares to vote on legislation that would compel the Justice Department to release files from its Epstein investigation. Trump has expressed opposition to releasing this material, criticizing Republican supporters of the measure as "soft and foolish." Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly characterized the president's stance on the Epstein files as a "huge miscalculation," highlighting divisions within Republican ranks on this issue.
Documentary Evidence and Connections
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been actively investigating the federal government's handling of the Epstein probe, recently releasing over 20,000 pages of material from Epstein's estate. These documents include emails mentioning President Trump, though the context remains unclear. One email from Epstein to author Michael Wolff stated, "Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop," referencing Trump and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Another email from Epstein to Maxwell mentioned that Virginia Giuffre had spent hours with Trump at Epstein's residence, though Trump has never been formally accused of wrongdoing.
Historical Context and Fallout
Epstein's connections with prominent figures span decades, with Bill Clinton taking four trips on Epstein's plane in 2002 and 2003 for Clinton Foundation-related travel. Clinton's spokesperson has maintained that the former president "did nothing and knew nothing" regarding Epstein's criminal activities. Financial institutions have also faced consequences, with JPMorgan Chase agreeing to a $290 million settlement in 2023 with Epstein's victims, though the bank maintains it ended its relationship with Epstein years before his arrest on sex trafficking charges.
The political implications of these developments continue to unfold, with the president's allegations injecting new controversy into ongoing investigations. As the Justice Department begins its examination of Epstein's Democratic connections, the situation represents another chapter in the complex intersection of politics, justice, and high-profile criminal cases that has characterized much of the current administration's tenure.
