Trump Denies Epstein Island Visits Amid File Release Controversy

President Donald Trump has strongly denied any affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein's private island, calling the Epstein files a 'hoax' orchestrated by his political enemies including James Comey, Merrick Garland, and Joe Biden. He dismissed suggestions that he might pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted associate, stating no one has approached him about it. Despite Trump's denials and handling of the Epstein files, public approval remains low, with only 16% of respondents in a recent Emerson College poll approving of his administration's approach. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham defended ongoing investigations, emphasizing new findings unrelated to the previous Russia collusion narrative, and denied that calls to investigate former President Obama were a distraction from Epstein file demands. Progressive Democrat Ro Khanna criticized the Trump administration’s withholding of Epstein-related documents, calling for transparency and highlighting a bipartisan effort through the Epstein Files Transparency Act to release unclassified materials. The controversy continues to fuel political debate and erode public trust in government transparency.