Trump Denies Epstein Links Again, Claims 'Nothing to Hide'

President Donald Trump denied connections to Jeffrey Epstein beyond a “fallout” years ago and told reporters he has “nothing to hide” regarding government files on the deceased financier’s network, according to Open Magazine. ¹

The 2002 Characterization

In a 2002 New York Magazine profile, Trump called Epstein “a terrific guy” and said he had “known Jeff for fifteen years.” ²

“He’s a lot of fun to be with,” Trump said. “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” ²

Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor in 2008. He died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. ³

Document Release Under Fire

Trump’s comments followed criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of Epstein files. An independent analysis found the DOJ released only 2% of Epstein-related files in its recent document release, according to document transparency researchers. ⁴ Bondi stated the department released “all” materials required under the Epstein Transparency Act. ¹

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said he lost confidence in Bondi after a congressional hearing where he said she avoided eye contact with Epstein survivors. ⁵ Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina accused the DOJ of “hiding names” through redactions. ⁶

Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, told the DOJ to “stop protecting predators” and release unredacted files. ¹

GOP Split

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, typically a Trump ally, called the handling of files a “political miscalculation” and said she received death threats after publicly criticizing the redactions. ⁷

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s documented Epstein contacts have drawn scrutiny from GOP senators, according to Open Magazine. ¹

International Probes

Law enforcement agencies in multiple countries opened investigations based on the released files. The United Kingdom launched a national task force to investigate trafficking allegations. France established a special review team for French nationals named in files. New Mexico opened its first investigation into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch property. ¹

UN experts called for investigation into potential crimes against humanity based on the scope of allegations in released documents. ¹

References

1. Open Magazine — “Trump Denies Epstein Links Again, Claims ‘Nothing to Hide’”
2. New York Magazine — “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery” (2002)
3. U.S. Department of Justice — Epstein Case Summary
4. Document transparency analysis cited in Open Magazine report
5. Rep. Thomas Massie — Congressional hearing statements on AG Bondi
6. Rep. Nancy Mace — Public statements on DOJ redactions
7. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — Public statements on Epstein file handling