Trump Reverses Course, Urges House GOP to Vote to Release Epstein Files/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has reversed his stance, now urging House Republicans to support releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files. His change in position follows mounting GOP support for the measure and internal party tensions. The bill would compel the Justice Department to disclose Epstein documents, with redactions for ongoing investigations and victim privacy.
Epstein Files Disclosure – Quick Look
- Trump’s Reversal: Trump now supports releasing Epstein-related files, after initially opposing the measure.
- GOP Fracture: Rift grows within Republican ranks, including a public feud with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
- House Vote Incoming: A large House vote is expected, potentially reaching a veto-proof majority.
- Key Bill Details: Would require DOJ to release all Epstein-related documents, except protected info.
- Discharge Petition: Led by Reps. Massie and Khanna, forcing a floor vote despite leadership resistance.
- Trump’s Justification: Claims transparency will refocus Republicans on core political priorities.
- Leadership Response: Speaker Johnson anticipates passage and insists Trump has nothing to hide.
- Senate Uncertain: Future of the bill in the Senate remains unclear.
- Media Pressure: New documents have increased scrutiny on Epstein’s connections with public figures.
- Ongoing Fallout: Trump ends alliance with Greene, calls her a “traitor” over support for the bill.
Deep Look: Trump Reverses Course, Urges GOP to Release Epstein Files
In a stunning political pivot, President Donald Trump is now urging House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing all federal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, reversing his earlier opposition to the measure. The shift comes amid growing momentum within the Republican Party to declassify Epstein-related files, and signals Trump’s effort to maintain party unity and shift the narrative toward transparency.
Late Sunday evening, Trump took to social media to declare his support for the release of the documents, just hours after returning to Washington from a weekend in Florida. “We have nothing to hide,” he wrote, labeling the controversy a “Democrat Hoax” designed to distract from the Republican Party’s successes.
The change in tone follows increasing pressure from within the GOP, including from former allies such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has fiercely advocated for the bill despite clashing with Trump in recent days.
Internal GOP Friction Reaches Boiling Point
Trump’s reversal underscores a rare moment of internal tension within a party that has largely aligned itself with his leadership. The Epstein disclosure bill — co-sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) — would mandate the Department of Justice to release all communications, investigations, and files connected to Epstein, with exceptions for information that could compromise active investigations or reveal victims’ identities.
The measure gained traction through a rarely used discharge petition, bypassing House leadership after 218 signatures were collected — a majority of the chamber. Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in last week provided the final signature needed to advance the vote.
Trump had previously opposed the bill and even reportedly contacted co-sponsors like Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to discourage support. In a high-level meeting at the White House Situation Room, administration officials had argued that the bill could be used by Democrats to create politically damaging narratives.
Yet Trump’s latest messaging signals a strategic calculation: supporting the measure may quell intra-party rebellion and allow Republicans to control the framing around Epstein-related revelations.
The Political Stakes for Trump
Although Trump’s name appeared in Epstein records released earlier this year, he has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Still, recent reports — including a leaked 2019 email in which Epstein allegedly claimed Trump “knew about the girls” — have intensified media scrutiny.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson attempted to downplay the controversy, asserting that “there’s nothing to hide” and that oversight committees were already releasing relevant materials. But he acknowledged that the House would “get this done and move it on.”
While Trump maintains he is being targeted unfairly, some Republicans believe the bill presents a chance to distance the party from accusations of secrecy. Trump’s sudden endorsement of the measure suggests he may now see its passage as inevitable.
Massie, Greene, and the Conservative Divide
Leading the charge for the disclosure bill, Massie is hopeful the House vote will yield a veto-proof majority. “There could be 100 or more” Republicans voting for it, he predicted on Sunday political shows. His co-sponsor, Khanna, said he expects support from at least 40 Republicans.
The most dramatic fallout from the debate has involved Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of his most vocal allies. After Greene backed the bill, Trump publicly denounced her, vowing to support a primary challenger against her in 2026 and calling her a “traitor.”
Greene stood firm, stating, “The country deserves transparency,” and noting that her advocacy was based on conversations with victims who insisted Trump had done nothing wrong. “Why fight this so hard?” she asked.
Senate Hurdles and What Comes Next
While the bill is expected to pass the House, its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has not signaled whether he will support bringing the bill to a vote.
Massie, for his part, remains optimistic. “The pressure is going to be there if we get a big vote in the House,” he said, suggesting a wave of Republican support could influence the upper chamber.
Meanwhile, victims of Epstein’s trafficking network are expected to appear at the Capitol this week to urge lawmakers to vote yes and deliver long-promised transparency.
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