In a groundbreaking NBC News exclusive interview, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse gathered together to publicly share their harrowing stories for the first time, shedding light on the atrocities they endured.
The interview, conducted by NBC’s Hallie Jackson, also featured a moment that stood out from the rest—one that directly contradicted years of media speculation.
When Jackson asked if anyone had seen or heard of President Donald Trump engaging in inappropriate activities connected to Epstein, the survivors’ response was emphatic and clear: "No."
This straightforward answer not only debunked the media's persistent efforts to link Trump to Epstein's crimes but also shifted the focus back to the need for justice and transparency surrounding Epstein's network.
For years, left-leaning outlets attempted to cast doubt on Trump's connections to Epstein, often citing the two men’s past friendship and social circles.
The survivors' rejection of these allegations was a powerful moment, which dispelled the narrative of guilt by association that had hung over Trump’s name. Instead, their focus was on the long-ignored victims and the desire for full accountability.
The NBC News interview was part of a larger press conference on Capitol Hill, where Epstein survivors and their families stepped forward to demand greater transparency.
One of the most powerful moments came from Marina Lacerda, who was long identified anonymously as “Minor Victim 1” in Epstein’s 2019 indictment. Lacerda, along with other survivors, publicly spoke out about the abuse they endured.
She called for the complete unsealing of all records tied to Epstein and his network, demanding the public gain access to all files that have been kept hidden for years.
“We need the Epstein files to be out,” Lacerda said, voicing the frustrations of many survivors who feel that crucial information is being withheld from the public. “This is the only way we can begin to heal and hold the responsible parties accountable.”
Her statement encapsulated the growing demand for full transparency surrounding Epstein’s criminal activities. The victims’ call for the release of all relevant documents marked a historic moment, as it was the first time many victims publicly put their names and faces to the abuse they suffered.
For too long, these stories were buried under layers of legal protections, institutional indifference, and media speculation. The survivors’ newfound public voices signal a shift in the pursuit of justice.
The survivors’ calls for action have not gone unheard in Washington. In what is being hailed as a rare bipartisan coalition, lawmakers across the political spectrum have united to demand the release of all Epstein-related files.
Republican Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), along with Democrat Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), have launched a discharge petition aimed at forcing the House to vote on the release of the files.
If the petition gains the support of all 212 House Democrats, only two additional Republican signatures are needed to compel a vote on the issue.
This measure could lead to the long-awaited public release of Epstein’s files, which could shine a light on the full extent of the criminal enterprise he ran and the influential people who enabled him.
While many Republicans have backed the petition, the initiative has found support across party lines. For some, this is less about partisan politics and more about a shared desire for truth.
The bipartisan support highlights the growing recognition that this issue transcends political divisions. The desire for justice, accountability, and transparency has become a unifying theme, one that could lead to a historic vote in Congress.
The push for transparency is not just political; it is deeply personal for the survivors. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, is a survivor of sexual assault herself.
During closed-door testimony with the Epstein survivors, she reportedly experienced a panic attack and had to leave the room in tears. Her emotional response underscored the profound impact the victims’ testimonies continue to have, even on those who are accustomed to the political pressures of Washington.
Mace’s reaction also highlighted the human cost of these efforts for justice. For many survivors, this fight is not about politics—it is about healing and seeking accountability for the decades of abuse they endured.
Mace’s panic attack serves as a reminder of how traumatic the experience of reliving these stories can be, and how deeply personal the call for justice is for those involved.
The survivors’ press conference, which included emotional testimonies from victims and their families, provided a rare look into the long-lasting effects of Epstein’s crimes.
These individuals, who for years remained silent out of fear, shame, or trauma, are now demanding that their stories be heard and that those responsible for their suffering be held accountable.
One of the key themes that emerged from both the NBC interview and the press conference on Capitol Hill was the call for full transparency. Despite the 33,000 pages of documents that have already been released by the House Oversight Committee, survivors and their advocates have made it clear that much more remains hidden.
They argue that the full extent of Epstein’s network, including the names of individuals who were complicit in his crimes, remains concealed.
Lisa Phillips, one survivor, stressed that the effort is not just about uncovering names—it’s about real accountability. “This is about making sure the people who helped Epstein and his associates escape justice are held accountable,” Phillips said. “We can’t let this continue to be swept under the rug. We need the truth to come out.”
The frustration of the survivors is palpable. They believe that the government, especially the Department of Justice, has kept too much of the story hidden, which has allowed those who enabled Epstein’s crimes to evade scrutiny.
Their demand for full transparency is a call for justice, not only for themselves but for future generations who need to understand the depths of the corruption that allowed Epstein’s abuses to continue for so long.
For years, the media tried to link President Donald Trump to Epstein’s crimes, often citing their past association as evidence of complicity. This narrative gained traction in certain media circles, particularly among those who opposed Trump’s presidency.
However, the survivors’ unequivocal “no” when asked about Trump’s involvement has shut the door on that narrative, clearing the former president’s name of any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s crimes.
In the NBC interview, when Jackson asked if anyone had witnessed or heard of Trump engaging in inappropriate behavior connected to Epstein, the survivors’ response was clear and firm.
“No,” one survivor said, directly contradicting years of speculation and media-driven assumptions. This simple yet powerful response has resonated with many, as it debunks a key part of the ongoing narrative about Trump’s involvement with Epstein.
While some on the left have continued to push the idea of Trump’s guilt by association, the survivors have made it clear that their focus is on seeking justice for the crimes Epstein committed and exposing those who were directly involved in his operations.
The survivors have rejected any attempts to use their stories as political weapons, instead calling for full accountability and transparency.
As the survivors continue to push for the release of Epstein’s files, momentum is building for the bipartisan push in Congress. While the White House and some congressional leaders have resisted the calls for transparency, the growing number of lawmakers backing the discharge petition indicates that the pressure is mounting.
If successful, this petition could lead to a historic vote that forces the full release of Epstein’s files, which would have major implications for the individuals named in those documents and for the ongoing pursuit of justice.
The survivors’ advocacy, coupled with the growing bipartisan support, signals that the movement for transparency is gaining traction. As the story of Epstein’s abuses continues to unfold, the question remains: Will Congress finally act to release the full scope of the records, or will those in power continue to conceal the truth?
The NBC interview and Capitol Hill press conference marked a significant moment in the fight for justice for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. With survivors finally speaking out and demanding the release of all related files, the pressure on Congress to act is intensifying.
The survivors’ clear rejection of the media-driven narrative linking Trump to Epstein’s crimes only adds to the growing momentum for full transparency.
The bipartisan support for releasing Epstein’s files suggests that this issue transcends political divides. Whether or not Congress will act remains to be seen, but the survivors’ fight for justice is far from over.
As they continue to press for accountability, the question of whether those responsible for Epstein’s crimes will ever truly face the consequences of their actions remains unanswered.