US President Donald Trump has made a notable shift on the controversial issue of releasing Jeffrey Epstein files, moving from dismissing the documents as a “Democrat hoax” to urging Republicans in the House of Representatives to support their public release.

Background: Trump’s Initial Opposition

For much of 2024 and early 2025, Trump and his administration were critical of efforts to release documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In July 2025, Trump described the push for disclosure as “pretty boring stuff” and repeatedly referred to it as a political stunt orchestrated by Democrats. He accused former FBI Director James Comey, President Obama, and President Biden of fabricating the issue, calling the effort a “hoax” and arguing that the FBI should focus on voter fraud and other matters.

Trump also expressed concerns about the potential for innocent people to be implicated, noting Epstein’s extensive social connections in Palm Beach, Florida, where he and Trump were photographed together in the 1990s.

Early Statements on Transparency

During his 2024 campaign, Trump had made more conciliatory statements about releasing the files. In a June 2024 interview with Fox & Friends, he said he would “take a look” at the Epstein files and indicated willingness to declassify them if credible. On the Lex Fridman podcast in September 2024, he stated he was “inclined” to release the documents and had “no problem with it.”

Despite these earlier statements, Trump became dismissive once back in office, labeling the files a Democratic hoax and questioning their relevance. His administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel, selectively released portions of the files to conservative influencers in early 2025, which mostly contained documents already in the public domain.

Shift Toward Support for Release

Trump’s pivot came after the House Oversight Committee garnered enough support to push a bill for releasing the files, securing 218 signatures to force a vote within 30 days. On November 16, 2025, Trump publicly directed House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing the documents, asserting that he has “nothing to hide.”

Trump also instructed prosecutors to investigate Democrats allegedly connected to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton, and framed the release as a corrective measure to counter what he calls a “Radical Left” hoax. The White House emphasized that Trump has long advocated for transparency, claiming he has cooperated with subpoenas and provided tens of thousands of pages of documents.

Epstein Case Overview

Jeffrey Epstein, who mingled with Trump in the 1990s, pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges for soliciting underage prostitution, serving roughly a year in jail with work release privileges. In 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal charges for sex trafficking of minors, but was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell that August, ruled a suicide by investigators.

The case has continued to attract attention due to Epstein’s connections with high-profile figures, including Trump, Clinton, and other elites, fueling ongoing public demand for full disclosure of the related documents.

Potential Implications

Trump’s latest support for releasing the Epstein files could influence Congressional voting, potentially swaying the Senate to reconsider previous skepticism. While the release of documents during an ongoing investigation is rare, Trump’s intervention underscores his political strategy to link the files to Democrats while emphasizing his own transparency.