Epstein Survivors Attend Trump's SOTU: Who Invited Them

Three survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday as guests of Republican members of Congress, according to Newsweek.¹

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) brought Juliette Bryant, a New Zealand-born model who has described being trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.¹ Mace stated on social media that Bryant “was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell across state lines and international borders.”¹

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) confirmed she invited Virginia Giuffre, who has spoken publicly about Epstein’s trafficking operation.¹ Giuffre has alleged she was trafficked to multiple high-profile individuals, including Prince Andrew, with whom she reached a settlement in 2022.¹

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) hosted Danielle Bensky, another survivor who has spoken about Epstein’s network.¹ Blackburn wrote on social media that Bensky “was victimized by convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.”¹

Republicans Highlight Epstein Case at SOTU

The Epstein Transparency Act, signed into law in 2025, requires federal agencies to declassify and release documents related to Epstein’s case.¹ Congress has been examining the law’s implementation.

Greene has called for the release of the full client list associated with Epstein and has questioned the circumstances surrounding his death in federal custody in August 2019.¹

Mace posted on social media that Bryant’s presence would serve as a reminder of the “horrific abuse” survivors endured.¹ She added that the survivors’ attendance “sends a powerful message that we will not forget them or stop fighting for justice.”¹

Giuffre settled a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew in February 2022, with the prince paying an undisclosed sum while not admitting wrongdoing.¹ Giuffre has also provided testimony in multiple legal proceedings related to Epstein’s trafficking network.¹

Juliette Bryant detailed her experiences with Epstein in interviews with media outlets following Epstein’s arrest in 2019.¹ She has described being recruited as a young model and subsequently trafficked internationally.¹

Members of Congress invite guests to State of the Union addresses to highlight policy priorities and social issues.¹

Epstein died in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.¹ His former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in December 2021 on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.¹

References

1. Newsweek — “Full List of Epstein Survivors Attending Trump’s SOTU—and Who Invited Them”