Epstein Survivors Confront Trump Ahead of State of the Union Address
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, who will be guests of Democratic members of Congress during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, delivered a powerful rebuke to the president during a press conference on Capitol Hill. The Democratic Women's Caucus hosted the event on Tuesday afternoon, just before Trump's first State of the Union since returning to office last year, following a joint address in 2025.
Teresa Helm, an Epstein survivor, emphasized the significance of their presence, stating, "It's important for all of us to be here to represent ourselves and really represent human dignity and justice." Numerous Democratic lawmakers have invited survivors of the late convicted sex offender and his trafficking operation as their guests. Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, was among the first, extending an invitation to Haley Robson.
Survivors Demand Accountability and Transparency
In a bold statement, survivor Lisa Phillips addressed President Trump directly, saying, "It's important for him to see us to know that we're not going away and that we are going to keep fighting." Sky Roberts, a family member of the late Virginia Giuffre, another survivor, reinforced this sentiment, referencing Bad Bunny by declaring, "And to anyone who thinks this moment can be reduced to a headline or media cycle or even a Super Bowl moment for political theater, let me be clear, the only thing more powerful than hate is love. And this is not going away."
The survivors have repeatedly visited Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation to release Epstein-related files, which Trump has dismissed as a "Democrat hoax." Their efforts culminated in a discharge petition led by Representatives Khanna and Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, forcing a vote over the objections of House Republican leadership. The bill passed almost unanimously in the House, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requesting unanimous consent.
Criticism of Government Handling and FBI Priorities
Survivor Dani Bensky, invited by Schumer, sharply criticized FBI Director Kash Patel for socializing with the U.S. men's hockey team during the Olympics instead of focusing on the investigation. "Why is the FBI director out there partying like a college kid when you should be investigating?" she demanded. Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, invited Annie Farmer, whose sister Maria first spoke to the FBI in 1996.
Farmer highlighted ongoing issues with the file releases, noting, "The recent release of materials highlights this as the names of many powerful individuals remain redacted, while the names, personal data and even nude images of many victims were released. Rather than apologize for this failure, this DOJ has doubled down on denial and distraction." Earlier this month, survivors attended a House Judiciary Committee hearing where Attorney General Pam Bondi testified, drawing criticism for not acknowledging them.
Survivors Express Frustration Over File Releases
Many survivors have voiced frustration over how the files have been handled, particularly because alleged co-conspirators' names were redacted while survivors' identities were exposed. Teresa Helm described this as a major violation, stating, "The biggest violation so far has been survivors being exposed further. That's the number one violation at all." Despite Trump's past dismissal of the investigation as "total bulls***," survivors pushed back against the notion that it is a hoax.
Jess Michaels, another survivor, asserted, "You know why it's important? Because whether he addresses us or not, he knows we're there. He knows we are watching. We are not letting this administration off the hook, and we're not going anywhere." While Trump and Epstein were friends for years, and Trump's name appears in the files, no evidence has emerged linking him to wrongdoing with young girls or women.
Many Democrats, including Representative Maxine Dexter of Oregon, who invited Lisa Phillips to attend in her stead, have chosen not to attend the State of the Union, underscoring the political tension surrounding this issue. The survivors' unwavering presence serves as a stark reminder of their fight for justice and transparency in the face of political resistance.
