President Donald Trump continued his attacks on his supporters criticizing his administration over its handling of the so-called Epstein files —calling it a “big hoax” Wednesday afternoon—as a growing number of high-ranking Republicans and prominent right-wing voices call for the documents to be released.
President Donald Trump returns to the White House from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2025, in Washington DC. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Key Takeaways
- Calling his critics “weaklings,” Trump said on Truth Social his “PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker,” while repeating his recent talking point that the files are a “hoax” created by the “Lunatic Left.”
- “All these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” Trump wrote, adding “I don’t want their support anymore!”
- Trump made the statement as criticism surrounding the Justice Department’s decision not to release the so-called Epstein files continued more than a week after the agency published a memo on its years-long investigation into Epstein that said it would not release any additional documents on the probe and reiterated its conclusion that Epstein committed suicide in jail.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., a staunch Trump loyalist, on Tuesday called on the White House to unveil more details on its Epstein findings, telling conservative podcaster Benny Johnson “we should put everything out there and let the people decide it” and Attorney General Pam Bondi “needs to come forward and explain.”
- Trump has repeatedly urged his followers to move on from Epstein and has defended his top law enforcement officials—Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino—amid criticism they backtracked after previously promoting conspiracies about the investigation.
Crucial Quote
“It’s all been a big hoax, it’s perpetrated by the Democrats, and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net,” Trump told reporters later in the day Wednesday.
Contra
Some Republicans have fallen in line with Trump’s push to move on from Epstein, including seven on the House Rules Committee who opposed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., that would have required Congress to vote whether to release the documents. Johnson said earlier in the week he believed the White House will “make the right decision” before calling for more details on Tuesday.
Tangent
Bondi has become a target for Trump’s supporters angered by the DOJ’s decision not to release the files, with some calling for her ouster. Trump, however, has defended Bondi and said Tuesday he thinks she should put out “whatever she thinks is credible.”
Which Republicans Want Epstein Files Released?
After some signs the backlash could be dwindling following Trump’s demands over the weekend to drop the subject, furor continued Tuesday, with Johnson’s reversal in particular signaling the controversy is growing. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Johnson said they want Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before Congress, NBC reported, while Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. told Benny Johnson a special counsel should be appointed if Trump doesn’t release the Epstein files. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk also dedicated his Tuesday show to discussing the Epstein controversy after saying a day earlier he wanted to stop discussing the topic, accusing reporters of twisting his words.
