In a dramatic political reversal, former President Donald Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to support the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, claiming he has 'nothing to hide' from public scrutiny.
Political Pressure Forces Change of Heart
The surprising shift in position came after Trump spent much of the past week criticising members of his own party who were pushing for transparency regarding the Epstein files. Returning to Washington from Florida, the president took to his Truth Social platform to announce his changed stance, dismissing the controversy as a 'Democrat Hoax' while instructing House Republicans to vote in favour of releasing the material.
"House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files," Trump declared in his social media post. "We have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party."
Legal Defence and Contradictory Claims
In an effort to bolster his position, Trump circulated comments from David Schoen, who served as Epstein's former lawyer and later joined Trump's defence team during his second impeachment proceedings. Schoen argued that the convicted sex offender possessed no compromising information about the former president.
"If Jeffrey Epstein had any dirt on Donald Trump, he would have had great leverage in the criminal case against him at the time he died," Schoen wrote. "The fact that he unequivocally said he had none ought to shut down the false claims otherwise, but facts are no obstacle to political attacks."
Schoen further claimed that Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, testified under oath that Trump 'did nothing inappropriate.' However, these assertions directly contradict recently released emails in which Epstein himself claimed to possess damaging information about Trump.
Republican Rifts and Personal Attacks
The president's U-turn follows a week of open conflict with members of his own party, during which he attacked Republican defectors amid mounting pressure for full transparency. The impending vote has exposed deep divisions within the Republican party and intensified scrutiny of Trump's handling of the Epstein matter.
Trump, who maintained a decades-long friendship with Epstein before their eventual falling out, has broadened his defence by insisting his administration had already provided 'tens of thousands of pages' of documents. He suggested the released files could prove politically damaging for prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton.
"The House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON'T CARE!" Trump declared before pivoting to familiar campaign themes focusing on the economy, immigration and foreign policy.
The former president offered no indication that his feud with Republican supporters of the bill had concluded, specifically targeting Representatives Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene. "Some 'members' of the Republican Party are being 'used,' and we can't let that happen," he warned.
Trump escalated his attacks on Greene, extending their days-long confrontation by questioning her character and political loyalty. "Wacky Marjorie 'Traitor' Brown (Remember, Green turns to Brown where there is ROT involved!) is working overtime to try and portray herself as a victim when, in actuality, she is the cause of all of her own problems," he wrote.
On Friday, Trump publicly severed ties with the congresswoman and pledged to endorse a challenger against her in 2026 'if the right person runs.' Greene responded that the deterioration in their relationship "has all come down to the Epstein files," maintaining that the American public deserves full transparency.
Bipartisan Reactions and Legislative Momentum
Despite the internal Republican turmoil, Trump's support for the upcoming vote has drawn rare bipartisan approval. Democrat Ro Khanna, who introduced the discharge petition alongside Massie, welcomed the development: "Glad to see @realDonaldTrump's complete & total endorsement of my bill... Release the Epstein files!"
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer adopted a more direct approach: "The vote is to compel YOU to release them. Let's make this easier. Just release the files now."
Republican supporters of the petition have remained largely silent publicly, although Representative Nancy Mace shared a video featuring Epstein victims urging Congressional action. "Shine a light into this darkness. Expose it all," she wrote. "I signed the discharge petition and I will vote to release the Epstein files."
The proposed legislation would compel the Justice Department to release all documents and communications related to Epstein, including information concerning the investigation into his death while in federal custody. Sensitive material involving victims and ongoing investigations would be subject to redaction.
Massie indicated there could be '100 or more' Republican votes in favour of the release and expressed hope for achieving a veto-proof majority. Speaker Mike Johnson had previously opposed the discharge petition and sent lawmakers home early for recess as pressure for a vote intensified.
Democrats have alleged that the swearing-in of newly elected Representative Adelita Grijalva was deliberately delayed to prevent her from becoming the crucial 218th signatory to force the vote.
