Trump bemoans destroyed reputations as a result of Epstein files release
President Donald Trump bemoaned Monday the potential reputational damage inflicted on people who appear in photos released as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which he insisted were only made public because of an effort to distract from his accomplishments.
The comments mark the first time Trump has addressed the files since his Justice Department released hundreds of thousands of them on Friday pursuant to a new law compelling them to do so. The measure cleared both the House and Senate with support from all but one Republican and Trump signed it into law; his administration had previously said it did not plan to release any more Epstein materials after a thorough review. “A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released of other people that really had nothing to do with Epstein. But they’re in a picture with him because he was at a party, and you ruined a reputation of somebody,” Trump said during an event in the library at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach club that he claims to have ejected Epstein from in the early 2000s. “A lot of people are very angry that this continues. A lot of Republicans,” he said, claiming the issue was meant to “deflect against a tremendous success.” Trump has long sought to downplay his own connection to Epstein – noting, as he did Monday, the two had a falling out years ago – and he has previously warned that releasing files might be unfairly damaging to those referenced in them. He notably said at Mar-a-Lago he even “hated” to see so many photos of former President Bill Clinton contained in the latest batch of documents released by the Justice Department. Clinton has never been charged with any crimes or accused by law enforcement of any wrongdoing related to Epstein; one of the most publicized images in the DOJ release last week was a picture of Clinton in a hot tub with his arms folded behind his head. Beside him is a person whose faced is redacted. “I think Bill Clinton’s a big boy. He can handle it,” Trump said. A representative of Clinton, meanwhile, shared a statement Monday before Trump’s remarks calling on the Justice Department to “immediately release any remaining materials referring to, mentioning, or containing a photograph of Bill Clinton.” “Refusal to do so will confirm the widespread suspicion the Department of Justice’s actions to date are not about transparency, but about insinuation – using selective releases to imply wrongdoing about individuals who have already been repeatedly cleared by the very same Department of Justice, over many years, under Presidents and Attorneys General of both parties,” said the spokesperson, Angel Ureña, in a statement posted on X. The Justice Department is facing criticism from survivors of Epstein’s sexual abuse and lawmakers on Capitol Hill over how it has released materials from its investigation of the convicted sex offender. Though the law required the department to make public “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials,” officials did not do so on the Friday deadline, instead releasing a first tranche of files. Lawmakers of both parties said that was unacceptable, with some indicating they would explore legal action. Survivors asserted that the disclosures were incomplete and improperly redacted. The department has said lawyers will work in the coming weeks to make redactions to protect victims and alleviate other possible concerns. As for the photos of himself contained in the Epstein files, Trump shrugged off what he said was a social connection from another era. “They give you their photos of me, too,” he said. “Everybody was friendly with this guy, either friendly or not friendly, but he was around. He was all over Palm Beach.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
House Democrats Raise Concerns Over Allegedly Deleted Trump Photo in Epstein FilesHouse Democrats are questioning the Department of Justice (DOJ) after a photo of Donald Trump, allegedly removed from the Epstein files, was identified. The photo, featuring Trump with Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell, was among several deleted from the DOJ's release of files related to the disgraced financier. Democrats are demanding transparency and the full release of the files, criticizing the DOJ's redactions and alleged failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Read more »
House Democrats Question DOJ Over Allegedly Deleted Trump Photo from Epstein FilesHouse Oversight Committee Democrats are questioning the Department of Justice (DOJ) about the removal of a photograph of Donald Trump from a recent release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The photo, which showed Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell, was allegedly among several deleted from the DOJ's release.
Read more »
Democrats Question DOJ Over Trump Photo Deletion from Epstein Files, Demand TransparencyHouse Democrats express concern over the deletion of a photograph of Donald Trump from the released Epstein files, alleging potential cover-ups and demanding full transparency from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Criticism centers on redactions and the DOJ's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Read more »
Epstein files, including this Trump photo, disappear from DOJ websiteThe Justice Department said it plans to release Jeffrey Epstein records on a rolling basis.
Read more »
DOJ’s Todd Blanche says 15 Epstein files missing has ‘nothing to do with President Trump’This is additional taxonomy that helps us with analytics
Read more »
Epstein Victims Slam DOJ Over Handling of Epstein FilesVictims of Jeffrey Epstein are criticizing Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice for their handling of the Epstein files, alleging unlawful withholding of information and lack of transparency regarding the sex trafficker and his network. They accuse the department of violating the law by partially releasing files, blacking out information, and failing to meet deadlines, demanding full disclosure and clearer communication.
Read more »