On July 16, 2025, President Donald Trump sharply criticized a faction of Republicans for their persistent focus on the Jeffrey Epstein case, labeling it a Democratic-orchestrated “hoax” designed to distract from his administration’s achievements.

Speaking during an Oval Office meeting with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein matter and urged his party to shift attention to what he considers more pressing issues, such as immigration and his recently passed legislative package.

The president’s remarks, delivered with characteristic fervor, underscore a growing rift within the Republican Party, as some conservative lawmakers and supporters demand greater transparency on Epstein’s case, while Trump dismisses their concerns as misguided and counterproductive.

The Jeffrey Epstein case, centered on the disgraced financier who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, has long been a lightning rod for conspiracy theories and political division.

Epstein’s high-profile connections, including with Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and other prominent figures, have fueled speculation about a supposed “client list” and allegations of elite cover-ups.

In recent weeks, the issue has resurfaced, with a growing number of Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling for the Justice Department to release additional documents related to Epstein’s investigation.

Trump, however, has taken a starkly different position, framing the renewed focus on Epstein as a Democratic ploy to undermine his administration. In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bull—-’ hook, line, and sinker.”

He compared the Epstein controversy to previous Democratic-led “hoaxes” like the Steele dossier and the Hunter Biden laptop story, accusing his opponents of manipulating Republicans into focusing on a dead issue.

“They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years,” he wrote, expressing frustration with supporters he now considers disloyal.

During the Oval Office press gaggle, Trump reiterated that Epstein, who died over five years ago, is a distraction from more urgent priorities. “He’s dead. He’s gone,” Trump said, emphasizing that the Justice Department, under Bondi’s leadership, has already provided all “credible” information available.

He defended Bondi, stating, “She’s done very good. She says, ‘I gave you all the credible information,’ and if she finds any more, she’ll give that too. What more can she do?”

Trump’s comments come amid reports of internal tensions, including a heated dispute between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who reportedly took a day off after clashing with the Attorney General over the Epstein case.

In an effort to redirect attention, Trump pointed to what he called a far greater scandal: allegations that former President Joe Biden’s aides used an autopen to sign official documents, including pardons and executive orders, without his direct knowledge.

Trump first raised this issue in June 2025, directing Bondi and White House counsel to investigate. The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, has since issued subpoenas to former Biden aides and Dr.

Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician, to probe the claims, which Biden has denied. “Whoever operated the autopen had a policy,” Trump asserted, calling it “one of the biggest scandals in American history”.

Trump also criticized Biden’s broader record, accusing him of dismantling first-term energy policies that led to higher inflation. “What Biden did is he ended our policies,” Trump told reporters, framing his predecessor’s tenure as a series of failures orchestrated by “some lunatic around the desk.”

By contrast, Trump touted his administration’s recent legislative success, particularly the passage of what he calls the “big, beautiful bill,” which includes significant tax cuts and deregulation measures. “These are the things they should be talking about,” he said, praising the bill as “one of the greatest pieces of legislation ever in this country”.

Trump’s dismissal of the Epstein case has sparked significant pushback from within his own party, particularly among MAGA-aligned figures who view the issue as central to their narrative of exposing a “deep state.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, typically a staunch Trump ally, publicly broke ranks, calling for the release of Epstein-related files during an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson.

“I’m for transparency,” Johnson said, describing the issue as “delicate” but necessary for public trust. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, another vocal Trump supporter, expressed frustration with the administration’s stance, stating, “I don’t accept it, and I don’t think anyone else should accept it.”

Greene has pushed for a private viewing of the Epstein files and advocated for public testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate.

The Justice Department’s recent memo, co-issued with the FBI, further inflamed tensions by concluding that no “client list” exists and reaffirming Epstein’s 2019 death as a suicide.

The memo, which cited “sensitive information” about victims as a reason for withholding additional documents, has been met with skepticism by MAGA influencers like Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, and Steve Bannon, who have long championed conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.

A CNN poll conducted in July 2025 found that 40% of Republicans express dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of Epstein-related information, compared to 56% of Democrats and 52% of independents.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from unexpected quarters, including former Vice President Mike Pence, who called for the release of all Epstein files to ensure public scrutiny of those associated with the financier.

Representative Thomas Massie and Greene have explored using a discharge petition to force a House vote on releasing the documents, a rare move that would require Democratic support.

Meanwhile, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who challenged Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination, urged transparency, stating, “You can never go wrong with being transparent”.

Democrats have seized on the GOP’s internal divisions, amplifying calls for transparency to exploit the rift within Trump’s base. Representative Jamie Raskin and 15 other House Democrats sent a letter to Bondi, accusing her of withholding Epstein files to protect Trump, citing her earlier claim that a “client list” was on her desk—a statement she later clarified referred to case files.

Representative Ted Lieu has publicly questioned Bondi’s handling of the issue, asking, “Where is that client list? What is Attorney General Pam Bondi hiding?”.

On July 14, Democrats attempted to attach an amendment to a cryptocurrency bill that would have forced a House vote on releasing the Epstein files, but Republicans on the House Rules Committee blocked the move by a 7-5 vote, with Representative Ralph Norman breaking ranks to support the amendment.

The Democratic push marks a shift from their approach during Trump’s first term, when they condemned his promotion of Epstein-related conspiracy theories.

Now, figures like Senator Jon Ossoff and Wisconsin candidate Rebecca Cooke are using the issue to needle Republicans, invoking Trump’s past association with Epstein to question his commitment to transparency. The strategy aims to sow discord within the MAGA movement while appealing to voters frustrated by perceived government secrecy.

Trump’s outspoken rejection of the Epstein focus represents a rare break with his base, which has long viewed the case as emblematic of elite corruption. His decision to label supporters who demand transparency as “weaklings” and disavow their support—“I don’t want their support anymore!”—has stunned some MAGA loyalists.

Posts on X reflect growing frustration, with users like @ReturnOfKappy and @TPV_John accusing Trump of abandoning promises to expose the “deep state”. Others, like @MarioNawfal, have highlighted the anger among MAGA influencers after the Justice Department’s memo dismissed the existence of a client list.

The controversy risks dampening enthusiasm among Trump’s core supporters, with some strategists warning that it could impact turnout in the 2026 midterms. “This is a major problem and could hurt turnout,” a Republican strategist told NBC News, describing the issue as a “betrayal” for those who believed Trump would uncover hidden truths.

The administration’s insistence on moving past Epstein, coupled with Bondi’s assertion that no further disclosures are warranted, has also drawn criticism from figures like Elon Musk, who briefly suggested in a since-deleted X post that Trump’s name might be in the files.

As the Epstein debate continues to roil MAGA circles, Trump faces a delicate balancing act. His defense of Bondi and emphasis on legislative successes, like the “big, beautiful bill,” aim to refocus attention on his policy achievements.

However, the growing chorus of Republican voices, from Johnson to Greene, demanding transparency suggests that the issue will not fade easily. The administration’s refusal to release additional documents, citing victim privacy, has failed to quell skepticism, particularly among those who view the Epstein case as a test of Trump’s commitment to dismantling entrenched power structures.

Democrats, meanwhile, are likely to continue leveraging the controversy to highlight perceived inconsistencies in Trump’s transparency rhetoric. The House’s rejection of the Democratic amendment may delay a broader reckoning, but efforts like Greene’s discharge petition could force the issue back into the spotlight.

As the 2026 midterms approach, the Epstein saga risks becoming a wedge issue, testing the unity of Trump’s coalition and shaping the narrative around his second term.

President Trump’s insistence that the Epstein case is a Democratic “hoax” reflects his frustration with internal party divisions and his desire to steer focus toward his administration’s accomplishments.

By defending Bondi and dismissing calls for transparency, Trump has alienated some of his most ardent supporters, who see the Epstein files as a critical battleground in the fight against elite corruption.

The growing GOP dissent, coupled with Democratic efforts to capitalize on the rift, underscores the case’s enduring political potency. As Trump navigates this challenge, his ability to maintain party unity while addressing broader national priorities will be a defining test of his leadership.