US President Donald Trump commented for the first time on the Jeffrey Epstein files release, criticizing its impact on individuals who innocently met the convicted paedophile. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, he expressed sympathy for prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton, who appeared in initial photos.
Trump noted his good relations with Clinton: “I’ve always gotten along with Bill Clinton; I’ve been nice to him, he’s been nice to me.” He opposed the photos’ release, attributing it to Democrats and some Republicans, while claiming his own pictures would also surface.
Concerns over reputations
Trump argued that “everybody was friendly with this guy,” but innocent associations now risk destroying careers. He highlighted respected bankers, lawyers, and others photographed at parties with Epstein, warning that such exposure ruins reputations without evidence of wrongdoing.
He referenced Larry Summers, the Harvard professor and former treasury secretary who stepped back from public life after email exchanges surfaced. Trump dismissed the files as a “hoax” and distraction from Republican successes, like building the world’s most powerful ships.
Ongoing releases and reactions
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by Trump, mandated full disclosure by last Friday, but only one batch has emerged so far. This sparked outcry from survivors and Congress members.
Clinton’s spokesperson Angel Urena urged full release of remaining materials mentioning Clinton, suspecting selective disclosures protect someone. Urena noted widespread suspicion of implied wrongdoing despite prior clearances by the Justice Department.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 awaiting sex-trafficking trial, ruled a suicide.
Source: The Guardian
Also read: Lawmakers demand full release of Epstein files
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