We texted nearly 1,100 Americans about Trump and the Epstein files. Here's what they said.
We texted nearly 1,100 Americans
about Trump and the Epstein files.
feels like a cover up
he is trying to be transparent
avoiding what he promised to do
suspicious
whole mess
he was involved
Here's what they said.
By
Washington Post staff
July 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. EDT
7 minutes ago
5 min
How closely are Americans following news about government files from the federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, and what do they think about President Donald Trump's handling of the issue? The Washington Post texted 1,089 people Monday to ask.
The Post's poll found that most Americans are paying at least some attention to news about the Epstein files. Americans largely disapprove of how Trump is handling the issue, with most Democrats and independents disapproving and Republicans expressing a mix of approval and uncertainty. Most Americans strongly support releasing all files in the Epstein case and suspect the documents contain embarrassing information about Trump, Democrats and billionaires.
Participants' answers have been lightly edited for clarity and style.
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How much attention are you paying to news about government files from the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein?
A lot
26%
Some
38%
A little
24%
None
11%
The poll found that about 1 in 4 U.S. adults (26 percent) are paying 'a lot' of attention to news about the Epstein files, while another 38 percent are paying 'some' attention. That is somewhat lower than attention to the Los Angeles protests of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in June, which 34 percent followed 'a lot' in a similar poll that month.
Asked to describe why they are following Epstein news, people cited curiosity about whether public figures would be implicated, with some specifying Trump.
I'm curious, seems like a big story and seemingly important people could be implemented in it.
Ohio man, 45, independent
I want to find out who went to the island.
Nevada man, 61, MAGA Republican
I want to know what government officials, celebrities, and other public figures were at his island based on what we know about his case.
Indiana man, 27, independent
It is super suspicious that the Trump administration is now not releasing the files.
Oregon woman, 34, Democrat
Show more responses
Democrats are paying more attention than independents or Republicans, although majorities across party lines say they are paying at least some attention to the issue, including self-described MAGA Republicans who support the 'Make American Great Again' movement.
Attention paid to news about the Epstein files
A lot/some
A little/none
Democrats
73%
In the "undefined" group, 73 percent of people responded with "A lot/some."
27
In the "undefined" group, 27 percent of people responded with "A little/none."
Independents/Other
66
In the "undefined" group, 66 percent of people responded with "A lot/some."
34
In the "undefined" group, 34 percent of people responded with "A little/none."
All Republicans
56
In the "undefined" group, 56 percent of people responded with "A lot/some."
44
In the "undefined" group, 44 percent of people responded with "A little/none."
MAGA Republicans
58
In the "undefined" group, 58 percent of people responded with "A lot/some."
42
In the "undefined" group, 42 percent of people responded with "A little/none."
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Do you approve or disapprove of the way Trump is handling issues related to the Epstein files?
Approve
16%
No opinion
26%
Disapprove
58%
Fewer than 2 in 10 Americans approve of the way Trump is handling issues related to the Epstein files while nearly 6 in 10 disapprove and more than 2 in 10 have no opinion. Asked to explain their answers, some said Trump was not being transparent, and others cited suspicions that Trump was hiding information.
Trump is not forthcoming with information. Seems a lot more likely as if he has something to hide.
Massachusetts man, 59, independent
He is avoiding what he promised to do: Release the files. He's trying to cover up the truth.
New Jersey woman, 66, Democrat
I don't really care about the Epstein files. I think it is an overblown conspiracy theory.
Tennessee woman, 68, MAGA Republican
He's doing what he needs to do to get the results out.
North Carolina woman, 55, MAGA Republican
Show more responses
About 9 in 10 Democrats and more than 6 in 10 independents disapprove of Trump's handling of the Epstein files. Republicans are divided, with 38 percent approving, 38 percent reporting 'no opinion' and 24 percent disapproving. Just over 4 in 10 MAGA Republicans approve of Trump on the Epstein issue, while just under 2 in 10 disapprove and nearly 4 in 10 have no opinion.
Approval of Trump's handling of the Epstein files
Approve
No opinion
Disapprove
Democrats
2
In the "undefined" group, 2 percent of people responded with "Approve."
7%
In the "undefined" group, 7 percent of people responded with "No opinion."
91
In the "undefined" group, 91 percent of people responded with "Disapprove."
Independents/Other
8
In the "undefined" group, 8 percent of people responded with "Approve."
29
In the "undefined" group, 29 percent of people responded with "No opinion."
63
In the "undefined" group, 63 percent of people responded with "Disapprove."
All Republicans
38
In the "undefined" group, 38 percent of people responded with "Approve."
38
In the "undefined" group, 38 percent of people responded with "No opinion."
24
In the "undefined" group, 24 percent of people responded with "Disapprove."
MAGA Republicans
43
In the "undefined" group, 43 percent of people responded with "Approve."
39
In the "undefined" group, 39 percent of people responded with "No opinion."
17
In the "undefined" group, 17 percent of people responded with "Disapprove."
Open-ended responses show some MAGA Republicans expressing faith that Trump will handle the issue properly — including some that expect he will release more information — while others said they are not following the issue closely.
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Do you support or oppose releasing all files from the Epstein case?
Support strongly
67%
Support somewhat
19%
Unsure
9%
Oppose somewhat
3%
Oppose strongly
2%
An overwhelming majority of the public supports releasing all files from the Epstein case, including two-thirds who support this 'strongly.'
Support
Unsure
Oppose
Democrats
90%
In the "undefined" group, 90 percent of people responded with "Support."
7
In the "undefined" group, 7 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
2
In the "undefined" group, 2 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
Independents/Other
86
In the "undefined" group, 86 percent of people responded with "Support."
11
In the "undefined" group, 11 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
3
In the "undefined" group, 3 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
All Republicans
83
In the "undefined" group, 83 percent of people responded with "Support."
9
In the "undefined" group, 9 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
8
In the "undefined" group, 8 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
MAGA Republicans
82
In the "undefined" group, 82 percent of people responded with "Support."
9
In the "undefined" group, 9 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
9
In the "undefined" group, 9 percent of people responded with "Oppose."
Support is similar across party lines and among Republicans who identify with the MAGA movement.
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Just your best guess, do you think the Epstein files contain embarrassing information about Trump? Democrats? Billionaires?
Yes
Not sure
No
Trump
61%
In the "undefined" group, 61 percent of people responded with "Yes."
26
In the "undefined" group, 26 percent of people responded with "Not sure."
12
In the "undefined" group, 12 percent of people responded with "No."
Democrats
66
In the "undefined" group, 66 percent of people responded with "Yes."
29
In the "undefined" group, 29 percent of people responded with "Not sure."
5
In the "undefined" group, 5 percent of people responded with "No."
Billionaires
84
In the "undefined" group, 84 percent of people responded with "Yes."
14
In the "undefined" group, 14 percent of people responded with "Not sure."
2
In the "undefined" group, 2 percent of people responded with "No."
The Post poll finds about 6 in 10 Americans think the Epstein files contain embarrassing information Trump and nearly two-thirds say the same about Democrats. More than 8 in 10 suspect they contain embarrassing information about billionaires.
Majorities of Americans across party lines predict that there is embarrassing information about Democrats and billionaires in the Epstein files. When it comes to Trump, most Democrats and independents suspect there is embarrassing information about him in there, dropping to about 3 in 10 Republicans overall and 2 in 10 MAGA Republicans. Some 4 in 10 Republicans — including 44 percent of MAGA Republicans — say they are not sure if there is embarrassing information about Trump in the files.
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Do you believe the medical examiner's ruling that Epstein died by suicide in jail, or do you believe he was murdered?
Died by suicide
15%
Unsure
42%
Was murdered
44%
About 1 in 7 Americans (15 percent) believe the medical examiner's ruling that Epstein died by suicide, while almost three times as many believe Epstein was murdered (44 percent). A sizable 42 percent say they are unsure how he died.
Died by suicide
Unsure
Was murdered
Democrats
16%
In the "undefined" group, 16 percent of people responded with "Died by suicide."
44
In the "undefined" group, 44 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
40
In the "undefined" group, 40 percent of people responded with "Was murdered."
Independents/Other
11
In the "undefined" group, 11 percent of people responded with "Died by suicide."
43
In the "undefined" group, 43 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
46
In the "undefined" group, 46 percent of people responded with "Was murdered."
All Republicans
18
In the "undefined" group, 18 percent of people responded with "Died by suicide."
38
In the "undefined" group, 38 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
45
In the "undefined" group, 45 percent of people responded with "Was murdered."
MAGA Republicans
18
In the "undefined" group, 18 percent of people responded with "Died by suicide."
37
In the "undefined" group, 37 percent of people responded with "Unsure."
45
In the "undefined" group, 45 percent of people responded with "Was murdered."
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