US President Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social network on 16/11: "Republican congressmen in the House should vote to release the Epstein files because we have nothing to hide."
Trump also accused Democratic congressmen of pushing an "Epstein hoax", after the party released a series of emails related to the pedophile billionaire, many of which mentioned him.
Critics accused President Trump of attempting to conceal information about his "wrongdoing" revealed in the Epstein files, suggesting this was his motive to prevent the documents' release.
Trump denied the accusation, adding that the Epstein file issue had caused many Republicans to be "taken advantage of" and that it could not continue. He appeared to be referring to Republican members who previously supported the release of the files, contradicting his stance.
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 13/11. Photo: AP |
The push for transparency regarding the Epstein files created a rift within the Republican Party, as President Trump had previously opposed it. Last week, Trump withdrew all political support for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once considered a close ally, after she criticized some Republican members for delaying the public release of the Epstein files.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson also supported making the Epstein files public, believing this decision would end all conspiracy theories related to President Trump.
The "Epstein Transparency Act", proposed by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie in July, calls for the release of all records related to the investigation of Epstein and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. This includes: flight logs, lists of involved individuals and organizations, and all documents concerning destroyed, lost, or altered data.
Trump and Epstein were once friends but had a falling out in 2004 over a real estate deal. Born in 1953, Epstein was arrested in New York in 7/2019 on charges of enticing dozens of minors, some as young as 14, and engaging in sexual acts with them. The businessman faced 45 years in prison if convicted.
Epstein denied all allegations and was held at Manhattan jail, New York. However, while awaiting trial, Epstein hanged himself in his cell in 8/2019.
The US President denied ever visiting the pedophile billionaire's mansion in the Virgin Islands, where the alleged crimes occurred. Trump maintained he was unaware of Epstein's unlawful activities.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP)
