Trump’s Epstein-Files Punt
In a recent edition of *The Atlantic Daily*, the focus centers on Donald Trump’s evolving stance regarding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, a topic that has stirred controversy and speculation about his connections to Epstein. Initially, the Trump administration had attempted to suppress discussions surrounding these files, with the White House even distributing large binders of previously public information in an effort to quell public interest. However, in a surprising turn of events, Trump has now encouraged House Republicans to vote for the release of these files, claiming, “we have nothing to hide.” This shift comes after months of attempts to derail the conversation, indicating a significant concession on Trump’s part. His previous tactics to downplay the matter included high-level meetings with key officials to strategize on how to manage the fallout, showcasing the importance of the issue within the political landscape.
The article highlights the complexities of Trump’s relationship with House Republicans, particularly as he navigates the political risks associated with the Epstein files. While endorsing the release, Trump has opened himself up to new vulnerabilities, especially as evidence of his connections to Epstein becomes harder to dismiss. The dynamics within the Republican Party are shifting, with some members, including Representatives Thomas Massie and Lauren Boebert, pushing for the release despite potential backlash from Trump. This internal conflict illustrates a broader struggle within the GOP, as members grapple with their allegiance to Trump against the backdrop of public opinion, which increasingly favors transparency regarding the Epstein files. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Trump’s actions may not only impact his standing within the party but also shape the future discourse surrounding accountability and transparency in politics.
This situation underscores the precarious balance Trump must maintain as he navigates his influence over the GOP while addressing the implications of the Epstein files. His rhetorical support for the Oversight Committee’s access to the files may not align with his past efforts to suppress them, leaving many to question his motives and the potential fallout for both himself and his allies. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Trump will manage the release of these files and the ensuing political ramifications, particularly as he faces challenges from within his own party. The evolving narrative around the Epstein files not only reflects Trump’s tumultuous political journey but also serves as a reminder of the broader issues of power, accountability, and the quest for truth in American politics.
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Donald Trump is not worried about the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Please don’t put in the newspaper that he is worried.
In a
post yesterday evening
, the president wrote: “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics.” He added that “the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE! All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT.”
Which point is that, exactly? Rather than any focused political message, Trump offered a meandering, repetitive list of 11 things, including the economy and affordability (“where we are winning BIG!” Trump wrote). Not long ago, this guy was considered one of the most gifted sloganeers in American political history.
Endorsing the House vote is strange, given that Trump could simply release the files himself, but despite his attempts to downplay it, this is a big concession. Trump has given in only after his repeated attempts to derail the release have failed. In changing course, however, Trump opens himself up to new political risks—and shows why he’s such a terrible political ally for House Republicans.
Until this weekend, the White House had spent the past few months doing everything it could to stifle conversation about the files. In February, it dramatically delivered
huge binders of info
to several influencers, which turned out to just be information that was previously public. When that didn’t quiet interest, the Justice Department announced in July that there was
nothing to see here
. Later that month, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice in sex crimes, who also assured him that there was
nothing to see here
. Shortly after that, she was inexplicably moved to a cushier federal prison. (Trump declined on Friday to rule out
a pardon for Maxwell
.)
As recently as last week, the Trump administration was reportedly convening
high-level meetings in the White House Situation Room
—including with Blanche, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel—to discuss the files. They reportedly summoned Republican Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado, who supports the files’ release, to discuss her position. The president also
instructed
the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s ties to prominent Democrats, but this weak deflection only underscored his own close connections.
Trump’s attempts to twist the arms of Republican representatives flopped—not just with his confirmed GOP frenemy Thomas Massie of Kentucky, but with those whose political identity is almost entirely derived from the MAGA movement and closeness to Trump, such as Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Trump attacked Greene on Friday, calling her “wacky” and promising to support a 2026 primary challenge in Georgia “
if the right person runs
.” Greene was once considered a possible Trump 2024 running mate; now she’s speaking out about how his rhetoric has inspired bomb and death
threats against her
. (To be fair, he’s reportedly
done worse to an actual running mate
.)
Until evidence of Trump’s connections to Epstein became harder to avoid, some people in the administration viewed the Epstein files as a useful political attack—something to wink at but not take seriously. Like the long-awaited GOP replacement to the Affordable Care Act, juicy Epstein revelations were most politically beneficial if they never actually emerged. Thus,
Bondi
could say that she had the Epstein client list on her desk and then, months later, say that it never existed.
Vice President J. D. Vance
tweeted in 2021, “Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don’t talk about it.” Now he just doesn’t talk about it.
When Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna started collecting signatures to force a vote on releasing the files, the White House may have assumed that its political allies didn’t really believe their own talking points about the Epstein files either. But Boebert, Greene, and Nancy Mace signed the petition and couldn’t be bullied to back down. Perhaps Greene, who once
dabbled in QAnon
, really did believe in a massive conspiracy of pedophiles in power; the Epstein emails don’t exactly quell those concerns. Maybe those who broke with Trump believe that their constituents want the files released. (
Poll data
show
Americans as a whole do.) Whatever their motivations, Republicans who disobey Trump are taking a real political risk.
Then again, so are Republicans who stick with him. Trump asked most rank-and-file Republicans to do him a favor by opposing the release.
Massie pointed out
last week that this could be an enduring black mark, telling CNN: “What are you gonna do in 2028 and 2030 when you’re in a debate either with a Republican or a Democrat and they say, ‘How can we trust you? You covered up for a pedophile back in 2025.’” Yet by changing his own position, Trump has now hung them out to dry.
Trump being Trump, and politics being politics, this is likely not the last word. Rhetorical support and actual compliance are not the same thing, and Trump left himself some wiggle room by stipulating that he supports the Oversight Committee receiving “whatever they are legally entitled to.” But he does seem to be in a quandary. If he tries to prevent some information from being released, he will lend more credence to claims of a cover-up and extend a story he wishes to cut short. Yet Trump has presumably been so eager to block the release up until now
for
some
reason
, even if we can only speculate about what it is; what’s become public so far is already damaging for him, among others. Trump is a bad ally to members of Congress, but he may be hurting himself too.
Related:
Epstein returns at the worst time for Trump.
The president who cried hoax
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Today’s News
A major immigration sweep occurred in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the weekend. Border Patrol agents
arrested more than 130 people through yesterday
, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” continued today, and officials have not confirmed how long Border Patrol agents will be in the area.
David Richardson resigned as the
acting head of FEMA
after roughly six months in the role, during which he received
criticism
over his absence during the early hours of the Texas floods.
A federal magistrate judge said that possible errors by the lead prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan,
may have affected the grand-jury process
in the Trump administration’s case against the former FBI Director James Comey. The judge ordered prosecutors to turn over grand-jury records to Comey’s defense team.
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Evening Read
Illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The Atlantic. Source: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE / Getty.
Why Can’t I Just Watch Sports on Television?
By Stephanie Hayes
If you, like me, are a fan of the Knicks, you probably caught last night’s game against the Heat on Prime Video. But if you want to see them play Miami again on Monday, you’ll need the streaming service MSG+ (at least, if you’re living in New York and lack cable). That’ll get you a bunch of games this season, including their December matchup against the Spurs, but you’ll also need Peacock if you intend to watch them play the Pistons in January. Oh, and if you’re keen for some Christmas Day basketball, you’ll have to find a service that gets you ESPN or ABC. This is, to state what every sports fan knows in her heart to be true, unbelievably stupid.
Read the full article.
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