Trump Claims Exoneration in Epstein Files Matter

President Donald Trump stated he has been “totally exonerated” in connection with documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report published February 18, 2026.¹

The statement represents Trump’s public response to ongoing scrutiny surrounding the release of Epstein-related files.¹ Specific details about where and how Trump made the statement were not provided in available reports.¹

Trump told reporters in February 2026 that he had “nothing to hide” regarding his past association with Epstein.² That statement came as congressional Republicans and Democrats continued to push for complete disclosure of files held by federal agencies.²

Trump’s Past Statements on Epstein

A 2002 New York Magazine profile quoted Trump describing Epstein as “a terrific guy” and stating: “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”³ Trump said at the time he had known Epstein for 15 years.³

Trump has stated in subsequent years that he had a falling out with Epstein and banned him from Mar-a-Lago, though he has not provided specific dates for when the ban occurred.²

Congressional Pressure on File Release

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a co-sponsor of the Epstein Transparency Act, has criticized the Trump administration’s Justice Department over redactions in released documents.⁴ Massie called the redactions excessive during a February 15, 2026 hearing.⁴

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) publicly criticized Trump’s handling of the Epstein files in mid-February 2026, calling it a “political miscalculation.”⁵ Greene stated Trump should have ensured complete transparency on the matter.⁵

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) accused the Justice Department of hiding names in the Epstein files release during a February 15, 2026 statement.⁶ Mace has demanded unredacted co-conspirator files from multiple agencies.⁶

The Epstein Transparency Act, signed into law in January 2025, required federal agencies to review and declassify Epstein-related records within 90 days.⁷ A February 2026 analysis showed the Trump administration’s Justice Department had released only 2% of Epstein files held by federal agencies.⁸

Epstein died in federal custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on sex trafficking charges and is serving a 20-year federal sentence.

References

1. Tyla — “Donald Trump claims he’s been ‘totally exonerated’ from Epstein files controversy”
2. Epstein Transparency Act — “Trump Denies Epstein Links Again, Claims ‘Nothing to Hide’”
3. New York Magazine — “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery” (October 28, 2002)
4. Epstein Transparency Act — “Massie Rips Trump DOJ Over Epstein File Redactions”
5. Epstein Transparency Act — “Greene Blasts Trump’s Epstein File Handling as ‘Political Miscalculation’”
6. Epstein Transparency Act — “Rep. Mace Accuses DOJ of Hiding Names in Epstein Files Release”
7. Epstein Transparency Act — “Epstein Transparency Act Signed Into Law”
8. Epstein Transparency Act — “Trump DOJ Released Only 2% of Epstein Files, Study Shows”