Trump Warns Republicans to Avoid Engaging in Epstein’s ‘Dem Trap’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump warned Republicans not to engage with new Epstein-related email disclosures released by Democrats. Trump claims the move is a distraction from issues like the government shutdown and accuses Democrats of creating a political trap. The warnings come amid GOP divisions over whether to support a push to release more Epstein case documents.
Trump Warns GOP on Epstein Trap Quick Looks
- Trump calls Epstein email leak a “Democrat hoax”
- Urges Republicans to avoid getting involved in scandal
- Democrats released emails implicating Trump in Epstein case
- Emails claim Trump “knew about the girls”
- Trump says GOP must stay focused on national recovery
- Four Republicans support Democrat-led petition for document release
- House Democrats push vote to unseal Epstein files
- Trump allies lobbying GOP lawmakers to withdraw support
Trump Warns Republicans to Avoid Engaging in Epstein’s ‘Dem Trap’
Deep Look
President Donald Trump issued a pointed warning on Wednesday to members of the Republican Party, urging them to avoid engaging with newly publicized email exchanges connected to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The documents, released by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, have reignited controversy around Epstein’s connections to powerful figures—including Trump himself.
“The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they’ve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He described the renewed focus on Epstein as a political “trap,” suggesting any Republican who entertains the topic would be making a grave mistake.
“Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap,” Trump stated. He blamed Democrats for the recent government shutdown and claimed their actions have cost the country $1.5 trillion, asserting that Republicans should concentrate on economic recovery and national stability rather than getting sidetracked by scandal.
The email documents in question include exchanges between Epstein and known associates, such as Ghislaine Maxwell and journalist Michael Wolff.
In one message, Epstein claims that Trump “spent hours” at his residence. Another suggests that the former president “knew about the girls,” implying awareness of Epstein’s illicit activities.
While the White House has dismissed the release as a partisan maneuver, accusing Democrats of “selectively leaking” emails to smear political opponents, the release has already created ripples within Republican ranks. The Trump team, worried about a snowball effect, is reportedly lobbying Republican lawmakers to stay clear of efforts to publicize more Epstein-related materials.
Trump’s post comes at a critical moment, as the Democratic caucus advances a discharge petition that would force a House vote on a bill to release Epstein’s sealed files. If successful, the petition would trigger a rare procedural bypass, allowing legislation to be brought directly to the House floor even without leadership approval.
Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is expected to become the 218th signer of the petition upon her swearing-in at approximately 4 p.m. EST. That would provide the exact number of signatures needed to move the bill forward.
To date, all House Democrats have supported the measure, along with four Republicans: Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
Trump’s team has reportedly reached out directly to Boebert and Mace, urging them to reconsider their support. The former president and his allies are trying to prevent the petition from gaining further Republican momentum, wary of what may emerge from a full document release.
The situation presents a growing intra-party challenge for GOP leadership. On one hand, there is increasing public pressure for transparency about the Epstein case. On the other, there is clear concern among Trump loyalists that any further association with Epstein—even by implication—could be politically damaging during the 2026 election cycle and Trump’s ongoing influence within the party.
With the documents threatening to pull Republicans into an uncomfortable debate just as they attempt to pivot toward economic messaging and government functionality, Trump’s warning appears designed to close ranks and keep focus away from topics that Democrats could use to exploit divisions.
The coming days may determine whether Trump’s warning will be enough to hold the Republican line—or whether calls for transparency will overpower partisan caution.
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