July 16, 2025
Trump calls Epstein files investigation "a big hoax"
Trump turns on supporters demanding Epstein file transparency
⚖️Justice🏛️Government🔐Ethics
President Trump posted on Truth Social on July 16, 2025, calling the Epstein controversy the 'Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.' He labeled supporters who wanted the files released as 'weaklings' and wrote, 'I don't want their support anymore.' In the Oval Office that same day, he told reporters it was 'a big hoax perpetrated by the Democrats and some stupid Republicans.'
The outburst followed a two-page DOJ and FBI memo released on July 7 concluding there was no incriminating 'client list,' no evidence Epstein blackmailed prominent people, and no evidence to open new investigations against uncharged individuals. The memo also confirmed Epstein died by suicide, supported by prison video footage. Investigators searched databases, hard drives, network drives, and physical files.
Attorney General 
Pam Bondi had told Fox News on February 21 that 'Epstein's client list is sitting on my desk right now to review.' Her own department's July 7 memo said no such list existed. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to reframe Bondi's earlier statement, claiming she had been referring to 'all of the paperwork' related to Epstein.
On July 15, Trump claimed the files were 'made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by Biden.' PolitiFact rated this false. Both federal Epstein investigations took place during the Bush (2006-2008) and Trump (2019) administrations. Comey wasn't FBI director during either investigation.
Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home for a five-week recess on July 22, one day earlier than scheduled, to prevent a bipartisan vote on Epstein file transparency. The House Rules Committee had ground to a halt when Republicans recessed rather than let Democrats push Epstein-related amendments. Johnson told reporters the administration needed 'space to do what it is doing.'
Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, revealed on July 17 that the Treasury Department held an Epstein file documenting 4,725 wire transfers totaling nearly $1.1 billion flowing through just one of Epstein's bank accounts. The file showed Epstein used multiple Russian banks, now under sanctions, to process payments. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refused to turn the file over despite repeated requests.
Rep. 
Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who led the House Declassification Task Force, demanded Bondi release the full files by May 16, telling her to 'stop stonewalling.' Luna's pressure, along with a bipartisan discharge petition, eventually led to the Epstein Files Transparency Act passing the House 427-1 on November 18, 2025. Only Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) voted no.
The released files included a 2020 email from an unidentified federal prosecutor stating Trump had flown on Epstein's jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996. Four of those flights included Ghislaine Maxwell as a passenger. Trump had previously said on social media in 2024 that he 'was never on Epstein's Plane.' The prosecutor's email made no allegation of criminal conduct by Trump.
⚖️Justice🏛️Government🔐Ethics
People, bills, and sources
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact your representative about government transparency
Members of Congress from both parties pushed for the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Your representative's position on government transparency matters. Ask whether they support full, unredacted releases and what they're doing to ensure compliance.
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/ZIP]. I'm calling about the Epstein Files Transparency Act. I want to know: Has the representative reviewed the released files? Does the representative believe the DOJ has fully complied with the law? Will the representative support oversight hearings to ensure all records are released without improper redactions?
2
civic action
Track your senators' positions on Treasury Epstein records
Sen. Wyden revealed Treasury holds banking records showing $1.1 billion in wire transfers through Epstein's accounts. Treasury Secretary Bessent has refused to release them. Your senators can press for this information.
Hi, I'm [NAME] from [CITY/STATE]. I'm calling about the Treasury Department's Epstein banking records. Sen. Wyden has revealed that Treasury holds a file showing $1.1 billion in wire transfers through Epstein's accounts, including transactions through Russian banks now under sanctions. Does the senator support requiring Treasury to release these banking records to Congress? Will the senator co-sponsor legislation to force disclosure?
3
awareness
Support Epstein survivor advocacy organizations
Survivors like Haley Robson and Marina Lacerda have spoken publicly, pushing back against Trump's 'hoax' characterization. Organizations supporting trafficking survivors help amplify their voices and push for accountability.