GOP Lawmakers Accuse Trump of Protecting Epstein Associates Amid Calls for File Release

President Donald Trump has expressed frustration to his aides over the public fixation on his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing that social norms in Palm Beach during the 1990s were different and attempting to quell media attention on the matter. Meanwhile, Glenn Prager, a senior Justice Department official who interviewed Epstein's victims, stated in a covertly recorded video that while there is no evidence implicating Trump directly in Epstein's crimes, the president is hesitant to release related files, allegedly to protect other individuals. This sentiment is echoed by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has publicly accused Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel of withholding information to shield wealthy and powerful associates from exposure. Massie is leading a bipartisan effort, including a discharge petition nearly reaching the threshold for a House floor vote, to compel the release of all remaining Epstein-related materials. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding transparency and accountability in the investigation into Epstein's network, with Trump's aides struggling to manage the fallout and critics demanding full disclosure of implicated individuals. The situation underscores the complexities of political, legal, and media dynamics surrounding Epstein's legacy and Trump's connections.