President Donald Trump says he has “nothing to hide” after new attention focused on the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump rejected any wrongdoing and insisted he has been cleared. “I have nothing to hide. I’ve been exonerated. I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein,” he said.
He added that investigators “went in hoping that they’d find it and found just the opposite.”
What the Justice Department Released
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice released more than three million documents, photos and videos tied to its investigation of Epstein. The financier died in federal custody in 2019, and his death was ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner.
The Department has stated that it has no additional files to release. Its public statements and updates can be found at justice.gov.
However, some lawmakers argue that internal memos, emails and investigative notes have not been fully disclosed.
Trump and Epstein’s Past Social Ties
Trump and Epstein moved in some of the same social circles in New York and Palm Beach during the 1990s. In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump said he had known Epstein for about 15 years and described him as a “terrific guy.”
Photographs published over the years show the two men at public events. According to reporting by cnn.com, Epstein attended Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples. They were also seen at charity and fashion events in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
There has been no evidence presented that Trump was charged with or convicted of any crime related to Epstein.
Political Fallout Continues
Trump has urged the country to move on from the Epstein controversy. At the White House earlier this month, he said the files showed “a conspiracy against me” and suggested Americans should focus on issues such as health care.
He also claimed the controversy is “a Democrat problem,” referencing former President Bill Clinton, whose name appears in the documents. Clinton has not been charged with any crime related to Epstein.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently called for the full release of all remaining materials. In an interview with the BBC, she accused the administration of “slow-walking” disclosures and said, “I want everybody treated the same way.”
What Comes Next
Congress has passed transparency legislation requiring broader release of Epstein-related records. Lawmakers from both parties continue to review the materials and debate whether more documents should be made public.
As the political fight intensifies, Trump maintains that the investigation cleared him. The broader questions about transparency, redactions and accountability remain at the center of the national debate.