Trump bashes ‘foolish Republicans' for getting ‘duped' on Epstein
Trump during an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain repeated his claim that the documents connected to Epstein were a 'hoax' started by Democrats. Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges and died by suicide in 2019, during Trump's first term.
'Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try and do the Democrats' work,' Trump said.
'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.
Prominent Republicans and Trump supporters, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have in recent days called for greater transparency from the administration around files related to Epstein's case. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), an ardent Trump supporter, called for a special counsel to review the administration's handling of the Epstein files.
Trump's backers, including some now serving in his administration, have for years espoused conspiracy theories around Epstein's death and suggested the government was covering up information that connected prominent Democrats to the convicted sex offender.
But Trump has in recent days appeared exasperated by the fixation on Epstein. He has said Attorney General Pam Bondi can release 'credible' evidence related to Epstein, but has otherwise questioned why some of his followers are so fixated on the issue.
'Certain Republicans got duped by the Democrats and they're following a Democrat playbook,' Trump said.
'We do have bigger problems,' he 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 in several cases of sex trafficking young 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. Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been convicted of sex trafficking.
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