Van Jones: Trump undermining argument he's not implicated in Epstein files

The Hill

4 days ago

CNN pundit Van Jones said Wednesday that President Trump's 'bizarre' response to calls for the federal government to release more information on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has 'undermined' the president's claim that he is not implicated in the files.
In an interview on CNN's 'NewsNight' with Abby Phillip, Jones questioned why the Trump administration has been 'afraid to release these documents' from the criminal case against the late disgraced financier. Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges and died by suicide in 2019, during Trump's first term.
'I have been defending Trump, actually saying it's inconceivable that anything in these documents are going to hurt Trump because Biden would have released them,' he said.
On whether he still holds that view, Jones responded: 'Well, now he's acting so weird. Trump is acting so bizarre.'
The commentator suggested he isn't sure what to believe now.
'Those of us who were making that claim have been undermined this week by Donald Trump acting so bizarrely,' Jones said.
'Why is he on Truth Social crying, saying, I don't even want you to be my friend anymore?' he continued, likely referring to the president's recent comments calling Republicans 'foolish' for fixating on the Epstein case.
Jones added, 'This is unbecoming. This is strange, and it's starting to make people who don't want to believe the worst to believe the worst>'
Trump has lashed out at some of his most ardent supporters who have been incensed at the government's handling of the Epstein case.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social on Wednesday, the president dismissed the uproar over the Epstein files as a 'scam' perpetuated by Democrats and suggested he no longer welcomed his backers who have called for more transparency around the documents.
'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls‑‑‑,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump wrote. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.
'I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country's history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,' he continued.
The president added, 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!'
Trump during an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain also repeated his claim that the documents connected to Epstein were a 'hoax' started by Democrats.
'Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try and do the Democrats' work,' he said at the time.
'I call it the Epstein hoax. Takes a lot of time and effort. Instead of talking about the great achievements we've had … they're wasting their time with a guy who obviously had some very serious problems, who died three, four years ago. I'd rather talk about the success we have with the economy,' Trump added.
The Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo last week stating that Epstein did not have a client list and confirming his 2019 death at his New York City jail cell was a suicide. The findings incensed members of the MAGA movement, who have for years pushed conspiracy theories about Epstein's death and claims that prominent Democrats would be named on a client list.
Epstein, accused of leading a sex trafficking operation involving underage girls, ran in high-powered circles with figures that included Trump, former President Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew and a number of other celebrities and ultrawealthy people.
His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, has also been convicted of sex trafficking and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.