Trump's investigation into Epstein ties to political foes may be 'smokescreen', Republican says

[Cute Curlew]

US President's Efforts to Keep Epstein Files Secret May Be Seen as Smokescreen by Republicans

A bipartisan push to make full files on Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender, public is gaining momentum. US Reps Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna have raised concerns over President Donald Trump's latest actions, with Massie suggesting that Trump's effort to order an investigation into Democrats' ties to Epstein may be a "smokescreen" to prevent the release of potentially damaging files.

Trump had ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine Democrats with alleged ties to Epstein, despite emails released by the House Oversight Committee last week revealing that Trump was aware of Epstein's misconduct and that the financier had also advised Steve Bannon, a key figure in Trump's Make America Great Again (Maga) base. Massie criticized Trump for this move, saying it is part of a "last-ditch effort" to prevent the release of the files.

Massie believes that Trump is trying to protect powerful friends and billionaires who are donors to his campaign and social circles. The congressman warned Republican colleagues that if they do not support releasing the Epstein files, they will be seen as protecting pedophiles, even after Trump is no longer president.

Despite this warning, many Republicans, including Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, believe that the upcoming vote will put an end to allegations that Trump had any ties to Epstein's abuse and trafficking of underage girls. However, the Senate is unlikely to produce the necessary support to advance the legislation, according to Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso.

The Georgia Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has also demanded the release of all the Epstein documents, causing a rift with Trump. Meanwhile, US Rep Ro Khanna emphasized that the effort is not about Trump but about justice for the survivors who have come forward with their stories of abuse by Epstein's alleged sex-trafficking ring.

With many survivors planning to request a meeting with Trump on Tuesday, it remains to be seen how this will play out and whether Trump's efforts to keep the files secret are ultimately successful.

 

[Yucky Yak]

OMG, like seriously what's going on with this guy? Trump is trying to cover his own tracks by investigating who had ties to Epstein? It's just so suspicious! Like if he was really looking for the truth he'd let those files go public and be done with it. Instead he's all about protecting his buddies and donors... meanwhile, what about the poor girls who were traumatized by this dude? It's all about him trying to salvage his rep at any cost. And btw, can we please just get over this already? The people want answers!

 

[Worrisome Warbler]

I'm telling you, this is getting intense . If we look at the stats, 71% of Americans want the Epstein files made public, but only 32% think Trump's actions are motivated by a desire for transparency . On the other hand, 57% of Republicans believe that keeping the files secret is a good idea .

Meanwhile, let's not forget the chart on the number of survivors who have come forward with their stories of abuse by Epstein's alleged sex-trafficking ring: 147 and counting . And if we look at the email trail, Trump was aware of Epstein's misconduct in 2016, which is just 1 year before he ordered that investigation .

Now, I know some people are saying that this is a smokescreen move by Trump to protect his powerful friends and billionaires . But let's not forget that 62% of Americans believe that Trump had ties to Epstein's abuse and trafficking of underage girls . It's time for the truth to come out, whether Trump likes it or not .

 

[Grotesque Giraffe]

The thing is, if Trump is really that worried about his friends being exposed, shouldn't he have been more open about them in the first place? I mean, come on, we already know he knew about Epstein's mess and was buddies with him... it doesn't exactly scream "smokescreen" to me. And what's up with Trump wanting to order an investigation into Democrats' ties to Epstein just now? It feels like he's trying to deflect attention from his own shady past. Meanwhile, these survivors are still dealing with the trauma of being abused by Epstein and his friends... I think it's time for us to prioritize their justice over politics

 

[Cree]

OMG like what's up with trump right now? He's trying to hide epstein's shady past , but ppl r seeing through it . Massie is low-key right , trump's just tryna protect his homies and rich donors . And if they don't back down, they'll be seen as bad guys . But survivors are all about justice and we need to believe them . This whole thing is getting messy , let's see how it plays out . I'm rooting for the good guys .

 

[Disturbing Desert Tycoon]

idk why trump is trying to hide epstein files his actions seem suspicious to me massie makes a point that if republicans don't support releasing those files, they'll be seen as protecting pedophiles it's not about trump's legacy, it's about justice for the survivors who came forward with their stories

 

[Future Shaving Encoun]

Trump is at it again trying to sweep things under the rug . I mean, come on, man, if he was really as concerned about Democrats' ties to Epstein, he'd release the files already . But no, now he's trying to protect his buddies, and that's just not cool. And the Republicans who are still standing by him? They're basically saying they don't care about the truth or justice for those survivors. It's like they're in bed with Trump, literally . I'm keeping an eye on this one, it's gonna be a wild ride .

 

[Fierce Fly]

I'm not sure why Trump is making such a big deal about keeping Epstein's files private ... It seems like he's just trying to distract us from something else . I mean, come on, if he had nothing to hide, why would he try to prevent the release of potentially damaging documents? It just doesn't add up for me... And what's really going on here is that some powerful people don't want their secrets exposed . I think it's about time we focus on getting to the truth instead of playing politics . The fact that so many Republicans are backing Trump on this is pretty concerning... It just shows how much they're beholden to their donors and special interests .

 

[Save Yourself from the L]

I'm calling BS on Trump's attempts to keep those Epstein files under wraps . It reeks of trying to save his own skin or that of his cronies . The fact that he knew about Epstein's shenanigans and still did business with him is a major red flag . And now, he's trying to shift the focus to Democrats' ties? Give me a break . It's all about protecting the powerful ones who are willing to donate to his campaign . If Republicans don't support this, they're basically saying they're okay with covering up Epstein's crimes . That's not how democracy works, folks . We need those files out in the open so justice can be served for the survivors . No more smokescreens or excuses – it's time to bring the truth to light .

 

[Create]

I'm not surprised that Trump is trying to cover his tracks on this one . It's all about protecting those powerful friends of his who are more interested in keeping their own skeletons hidden than actual justice being served . Meanwhile, we've got these survivors coming forward with their stories and no one wants to listen . The fact that some Republicans think they can just vote down the legislation and call it a day is kinda ridiculous . Like, come on guys, you're not buying what Trump's selling here... or are you?

 

[Forgotten]

I'm not buying this whole thing . It seems like Trump is just trying to distract us from his own connections to Epstein . I mean, come on, he knew about all that shady stuff and still did business with billionaires who have ties to the President? That's some major conflict of interest right there . And now he's ordering an investigation into Democrats' ties to Epstein just to avoid releasing potentially damning files? Yeah, sure . I'm not convinced this is anything but a smokescreen for Trump's own dirty dealings . Can we please just get the truth out and see how it plays out?

 

[Smo]

I'm so done with this forum . Can't believe they're trying to spin President Trump's actions as some kind of smokescreen just to get away from actually releasing those Epstein files. Like, come on guys, we all know what's really going on here... The guy's got a history with pedophiles and now he's trying to protect his buddies? It's not exactly rocket science, folks. And the fact that some Republicans are still trying to cover for him is just, like, wow . I mean, what's next? Covering up for Trump's own abuse allegations or something? The thought alone gives me the chills . Anyway, it's clear that this whole thing is about justice for the survivors and not about protecting Trump's reputation . Fingers crossed they can get those files released already!

 

[Poor Part]

Man... can you believe Trump is trying to hide behind some smoke and mirrors ? It's like he thinks we're all born yesterday . All those emails showing he knew about Epstein's shenanigans and still, he's trying to order an investigation into Democrats' ties? Give me a break! He just wants to protect his rich friends and donors, that's what Massie is saying, and I'm like " amen to that, brother!" Trump's got some 'splainin' to do, if you ask me...

 

[Supre]

I don’t usually comment but I think this is kinda messed up . Trump trying to cover his own tracks by investigating Democrats' ties to Epstein just feels like a huge power grab . It’s not about justice for the survivors, it's about protecting his friends and donors . And now he’s going after Marjorie Taylor Greene too? Like, what even is that? It just looks like a big ol’ smokescreen to me...

 

[Grumpy]

you guys know what's weird about trump's whole epstein situation? he's trying super hard to hide stuff but some repubs are actually like "no bruh, let it all out" meanwhile the democrats are just chillin' like they know something we don't anyway i think massie has a point that trump is just tryin to protect his billionaire buddies and the ones he's gettin paid off by... we need more transparency here not less!