Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance has moved swiftly to clarify his position on Jeffrey Epstein as his past comments about the convicted sex offender resurface during the 2024 campaign.
The Ohio senator, recently selected by Donald Trump as his running mate, previously suggested in 2019 that Epstein - who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges - might have been "set up".
Past Remarks Come Under Fire
Vance made the controversial comments during an appearance on podcast host Charlie Kirk's show, where he questioned whether Epstein had actually committed suicide in his Manhattan jail cell. "I think the Jeffrey Epstein stuff is suspicious as hell," Vance said at the time.
The newly minted VP nominee now claims his words have been taken out of context. "I've always believed Jeffrey Epstein was a disgusting predator," Vance stated through a campaign spokesperson.
Trump Campaign Responds
The Trump campaign has rallied behind Vance, dismissing what they call "desperate attempts by the left to smear a great American patriot". A campaign insider noted that Vance had merely been expressing skepticism about the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death, not defending his actions.
Political analysts suggest the Epstein connection could become a vulnerability for the Republican ticket as they seek to court suburban women voters, a key demographic in swing states.
Epstein Files Continue to Haunt
The renewed focus on Vance's comments comes as courts continue to release documents from lawsuits involving Epstein. While no direct connection between Vance and Epstein has been established, Democrats are likely to use the issue to paint the Republican ticket as out of touch with victims of sexual abuse.
As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on how effectively Vance can distance himself from his past remarks while maintaining his appeal to Trump's base.
