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Published 09:18 16 Jul 2026 GMT
US Vice President JD Vance has made a rare admission and held his hands up on behalf of the Trump Administration.
One of the promises made by President Donald Trump during his campaign was that he would make the Epstein Files public for the very first time.
Despite him getting cold feet and delaying the ordeal, the elusive files would be released in batches to the public, revealing a number of shocking photos, letters, emails, and big-name mentions.
Jeffrey Epstein, a late financier and businessman, was behind bars when it was reported that he took his own life in August 2019.
But a cloud of mystery shrouded the situation, with the convicted child sex offender, serial rapist and human trafficker now gone; all officials were left with were the Epstein files.
The Department of Justice released the first batch of files back in December 2025, followed by a second release a month later.
But upon reflection, Vance said that they had handled the situation poorly.
The 41-year-old was not shy in accepting criticism against the Trump administration's handling of the files, telling Rogan that "we absolutely screwed up the comms."
DOJ kept delaying the release of files, which led to mass disapproval from the public, with the files remaining one of the biggest political liabilities to Trump during his second term in office.
As part of an interview released on Wednesday (July 15), Vance told the UFC commentator that they should have released the documents in full from the start.
He mentioned comments from former attorney general Pam Bondi that Epstein's "client list" was simply "sitting on my desk right now."
Vance told the podcaster: “I know Pam. I like Pam. I don’t think there was anything malicious going on,
“I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn’t have.”
She had also given conservative commentators and influencers binders called “The Epstein files: Phase 1” and “Declassified”, featuring documents that were already made public.
Due to her comments, she was heavily criticized, according to Vance, which reflected badly on the Trump administration.
He added: “We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files. Like, we just did,
“But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No.”
Following months of back and forth, lawmakers passed a measure which meant that the government would need to release a large trove of documents in connection with the federal investigations of Epstein.
These redacted files, call logs, grand jury testimony, photos and interview transcripts were made public, but people still weren't satisfied.
The redactions and the DoJ’s failure to meet the deadline agreed to release the full files resulted in backlash from both lawmakers and the public.
Some of the shocking images included snaps of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates with the disgraced financier, and Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman.
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Vice President JD Vance has offered a bizarre response when asked about President Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump has been subject to criticism from all sides of the US political spectrum for not releasing documents about Epstein, his former friend and convicted sex criminal.
Epstein - who died in prison in 2019 - has been an uncomfortable issue for many in the Trump administration and beyond in recent times, but now Vance has identified the strangest potential culprit yet.
Speaking in an interview with USA Today, Vance identified the previous POTUS, Joe Biden, as the main problem in the case of the Epstein files.
He said: “We have to remember this entire thing happened, this entire story blew up, during the Biden administration.”
Epstein died in a New York prison in 2019, and Biden was not sworn in as President until January 2021.
Following that claim, Vance went on to allege that the administration under Biden had four years in office to get to the bottom of the Epstein file and didn’t.
But, Trump’s government has so far released only information that was already in the public domain and claimed earlier this summer that the ‘client list’ doesn’t exist, and that there is nothing significant to release.
This hasn’t gone down well with many observers, including those who were previously loyal to Trump.
Vance claims that this government is committed to ‘full transparency’ on the Epstein issue.
He continued: “I think the president has ordered the administration to be more transparent about this than any other issue.”
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Trump and Epstein were good friends until a dispute - allegedly over a real estate deal - in 2004.
Epstein was first arrested on charges of sexual crimes in 2006, before a controversial prosecutor deal brokered by Alex Acosta - later a Trump administration cabinet member - saw him avoid federal prosecution and a potential life sentence.
He was arrested again in 2019 and died in custody while awaiting trial for trafficking children for sex, as well as other charges.
Theories continue to swirl around how exactly Epstein died, but all agree that his death occurred around a year and a half before Biden assumed office.
Vance also took time to mention a recent interview given by longstanding - and incredibly well paid - Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell said: “I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way,
“The president was never inappropriate with anybody.”
Maxwell was later moved from a federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas.
Vice President JD Vance is facing scrutiny over a resurfaced 2021 social media post that critics say is awkwardly timed, following explosive revelations linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.
As previously reported, new emails emerged alleging that the 79-year-old president spent “hours” at the disgraced financier's home with one of his alleged victims.
Hours later, an old X (formerly Twitter) post from Trump's Vice President began making the rounds online.
The tweet, which was dated September 4, 2021 - years before Vance joined Trump’s 2024 ticket - read: “I think about this @matthewwalther column about once a month.”
JD Vance's old post about Epstein has resurfaced. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty
The column he referenced, titled "The Jeffrey Epstein case is why people believe in Pizzagate,” was written by Matthew Walther for The Week in 2019.
In a follow-up to the same tweet, Vance added: “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.”
The post has now re-entered public conversation in light of new evidence connecting Trump more directly to Epstein’s world.
Many users on the social media platform have shared their reactions. Journalist Mehdi Hasan commented: "Yes, yes, we remember!" while another person chimed in: "This aged well, unlike some of the victims of Epstein and his pals."
"So why aren't you talking about it now, and why isn't your boss releasing all the information that would supposedly prove his lack of guilt?" they added.
A third questioned: "Weird that now JD doesn’t want to talk about it either… wonder what changed?"
Jeffrey Epstein made bombshell claim about Donald Trump in email sent before his death in prison. Credit: Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty
The House Oversight Committee recently obtained more than 20,000 pages of Epstein’s private emails and internal communications, including exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff.
Three specific revelations are drawing attention to Trump’s past association with Epstein.
In a 2019 email to Wolff, Epstein reportedly wrote: “Of course he knew about the girls,” adding: “As he asked Ghislaine to stop.”
An earlier 2011 email to Maxwell referred to Trump cryptically as “the dog that hasn’t barked.” Epstein wrote: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump.”
One April 2011 exchange revealed that the president had spent “hours at my house” with an unnamed victim. Maxwell’s response was: “I have been thinking about that.”
The unnamed person was later identified by the White House as Virginia Giuffre, who has repeatedly stated that Trump “was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever".
In another exchange, when Wolff asked Epstein what he should ask Trump in an upcoming interview, Epstein jokingly suggested provocative topics such as the “Trump Shuttle” and “Hawaiian Tropic contests” - a nod to Trump’s past involvement in beauty pageants.
Though Trump has not been charged with any criminal conduct in relation to Epstein’s crimes, the email dump has sparked new speculation about their relationship.
He has dismissed the emails as “another Democrat hoax” on Truth Social, accusing his political opponents of attempting to distract from their own “massive failures.”
JD Vance once called Trump "America's Hitler". Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The tweet resurfacing is particularly ironic given Vance’s political evolution.
Back in 2016, the 41-year-old was openly hostile to Trump, once calling him “America’s Hitler.” But ahead of Trump’s 2024 run, the two reconciled, with Vance rising to become a key ally and eventually his vice-presidential pick.
Now, the internet is questioning whether Vance’s past skepticism of those tied to Epstein can coexist with his loyalty to Trump, who is once again facing backlash over his long-documented but often downplayed links to the late financier.
Published 13:22 24 Dec 2025 GMT
The Department of Justice has strongly denied a rape allegation against President Donald Trump following the release of new documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The DOJ labeled the claim as “untrue and sensationalist,” emphasizing that there is no evidence to support it.
Among more than 11,000 newly released documents, an FBI case file (EFTA00020518) from October 2020 reportedly includes an allegation of rape involving Trump.
According to the partially redacted file, an unnamed woman stated, “he raped me,” and further claimed that “Donald J. Trump had raped her together with Jeffrey Epstein.”
All identifying details of the accuser were redacted to protect her privacy.
The files provide no additional evidence linking Trump to Epstein’s criminal activities beyond the allegation itself, The Mirror writes.
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In response to the accusation, the Department of Justice stated: "The claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.
"These accusations are untrue and sensationalist."
The DOJ emphasized that allegations appearing in the files should not be interpreted as verified facts, underscoring the importance of distinguishing between unsubstantiated claims and evidence-backed information.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the media and public for linking him or other high-profile individuals to Epstein merely because they were photographed with him.
During a recent appearance at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump remarked: "You probably have pictures of other people who innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago, many years ago. And they’re, you know, highly respected bankers and lawyers and others."
He highlighted that casual encounters or photographs with Epstein do not imply complicity in any of the sex offender’s criminal activities.
The release of thousands of pages of Epstein-related materials comes after a congressional mandate requiring the DOJ to disclose documents related to the convicted financier.
The files include communications, court records, and photographs tied to Epstein’s network, as well as statements from alleged victims.
While some content in the files has drawn significant public attention, the DOJ warns that many claims are unverified, redacted, or based on hearsay.
Officials stress that the release is meant to ensure transparency while protecting the rights of those named in the documents.
Experts and officials have cautioned against assuming guilt based solely on documents that contain unverified accusations.
Many of the newly released records have been partially redacted, and the DOJ has reiterated that selective disclosure can lead to misinterpretation and the spread of misinformation.
As the Epstein files continue to make headlines, the DOJ’s position makes clear that sensational claims, such as the rape allegation against Trump, should not be treated as evidence.
The emphasis remains on distinguishing between verified information and unsubstantiated allegations in order to maintain the integrity of the public record.
In a speech at White House Rose Garden, recalling his recent assassination attempt, Donald Trump mocked his vice president, JD Vance.
Attempting to embarrass his second in command, the president described Secret Service agents hoisting him out of his chair to safety while Trump remained seated.
Thanking the Secret Service for their support on the fateful night of April 25, Trump said, “I thought you did a great job two weeks ago. You know why? Because I’m here.”
Addressing the rest of the audience and trying to make Vance blush, Trump added, “They had great professional people, and they came out, and within seconds, I saw them take JD by the shoulders and lift him up like he was a little boy.”
In the aftermath of the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC, a video of Vance being dragged from his chair by the shoulders by a Secret Service agent while Trump remained calmly seated went viral.
Joking about the viral footage, Trump said, "How come they didn’t lift me up so fast?" JD got ripped out of the chair; that was the view of the week.”
Continuing to mock the vice president, Trump asked guests who they preferred, Vance or his potential successor in the 2028 election, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Casting doubt on Vance retaining his position, Trump said, “Is it gonna be JD? Is it gonna be someone else? I don't know.”
He then bellowed across the room, “Who likes JD Vance?” and “Who likes Marco Rubio?”
Following the audience’s applause for both candidates, Trump responded: “Sounds like a good ticket.”
While the president has explicitly declared his preferred successors are Vance and Rubio, he has not said who he would want to take his job when he departs the White House in 2028.
During his speech, Trump said, “I do believe that’s a dream team, but these are minor details.
“That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstance. But you know... I think it sounds like presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.”
Rubio and Vance previously worked together in the Senate, and both opposed Trump's early bid for the presidency in 2016.
In the face of rumors about their presidential plans, Vance and Rubio have denied any strong interest in running for the top seat in the Oval Office.
However, Rubio claimed in an interview last year that he would back Vance’s presidential bid, saying, “If JD Vance runs for president, he's going to be our nominee, and I'll be one of the first people to support him.”
Published 11:20 02 Feb 2026 GMT
President Donald Trump has broken his silence on the Epstein files after being accused of sexually abusing an underage girl.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice released over 3.5 million documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The release, conducted under the Epstein Transparency Act, follows intense public and congressional pressure after a missed December 19 disclosure deadline.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that the White House had no oversight of the release and that no evidence of criminal conduct by Trump was found in the files.
Blanche also noted that, per Fox News, Epstein never accused the president of illegal behavior, even in private communications.
The newly released documents include several unverified and graphic complaints submitted to the FBI, some just before the 2020 election.
Among them is an allegation from a woman who claimed she was 13 or 14 when she was forced to perform oral sex on Trump in New Jersey more than three decades ago.
According to the complaint, she bit Trump during the act and was “allegedly hit in the face after she laughed," cited by The Mirror.
Another disturbing complaint alleged Trump’s involvement in a sex trafficking ring and claimed he was present when a newborn child was murdered.
The complainant alleged that the president paid for sexual acts and was a witness to the infant’s death. The FBI was reportedly unable to reestablish contact with the individual for further investigation.
Despite the shocking nature of these claims, none have been corroborated, and no charges have been filed.
Further complaints accused Trump of hosting so-called “calendar girls” parties at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where children were allegedly brought by Epstein and “auctioned off.”
The complaint, submitted without contact information, also claimed that high-profile figures, including Elon Musk and Trump’s children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, were present at these events.
In a separate incident, a witness claimed to have observed a sex trafficking operation at Trump’s Rancho Palos Verdes golf course between 1995 and 1996.
The complaint also alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence, operated the ring, and that celebrity host Robin Leach strangled a girl at a party. Trump’s head of security allegedly threatened the complainant into silence.
The Department of Justice warned that many of the documents contain “untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election".
“To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already,” the DOJ said in a public statement, which was also shared by the White House.
A file referencing the sexual abuse claim was briefly removed from the DOJ website, but the agency said it was due to server overload and that the file had since been restored.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Saturday before departing for Florida, Trump addressed the latest claims for the first time.
“I didn’t see it myself but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left,” he said.
The 79-year-old has long denied any criminal conduct related to Epstein. While he acknowledged knowing Epstein socially and once called him a “terrific guy" who liked women "on the younger side,” he later claimed they had a falling out and had not spoken for 15 years prior to Epstein’s death.
The DOJ’s files include flight logs that place Trump on Epstein’s private jet between 1993 and 1997.
However, being named in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing. Trump has not been charged with any crimes related to Epstein and has not been the subject of any investigation, according to current records.
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