Trump Holds First Epstein-Scandal Press Conference Amid Defamation Lawsuit

President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure and criticism over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, with allegations resurfacing about a letter he supposedly sent to Epstein, which Trump denies and has responded to with a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders called on Trump to fulfill his promise to release all Epstein-related files, accusing him of deflecting attention while pursuing policies that harm working families. Civil rights leader Bernice King has also urged Trump to release the full Epstein files, paralleling the recent unsealing of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination documents, though some activists view the timing and motivations skeptically. Trump’s administration has sought to redirect the narrative by blaming the media and framing the controversy as a political witch hunt, an approach that resonates with his MAGA base ahead of upcoming elections. Meanwhile, Trump continues to face backlash from both political opponents and some supporters as the Epstein scandal threatens to undermine his standing and credibility. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between transparency demands and political strategy surrounding sensitive investigations.