Trump breaks silence on Epstein files, warning reputations of people who met him could be destroyed
Donald Trump has spoken publicly for the first time since the release of the long-awaited Jeffrey Epstein files, warning that the documents risk destroying the reputations of people who, he says, merely crossed paths with the disgraced financier.
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the US president expressed frustration at the renewed scrutiny facing high-profile figures whose names and images have surfaced in the first tranche of material released by the justice department. Trump argued that photographs alone risk creating damaging associations without evidence of wrongdoing.
“I don’t like what’s happening,” Trump said, suggesting that people who “innocently met” Epstein years ago could suffer lasting harm. He claimed the release was unfairly sweeping in individuals who attended the same social events as Epstein without any deeper connection.
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Among those Trump singled out was Bill Clinton, whose appearance in several photographs has reignited debate over his past association with Epstein. Trump said he felt sympathy for Clinton, describing him as capable of handling public scrutiny but undeserving of reputational damage caused by images alone.
“I hate to see photos come out of him,” Trump said, adding that people were being dragged into controversy simply because Epstein was present at gatherings. He suggested that respected professionals, including bankers and lawyers, were now being questioned despite having no proven involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
Trump also referenced the case of Larry Summers, the former US treasury secretary and Harvard professor, who stepped back from public roles after email exchanges with Epstein became public earlier this year. Trump cited this as an example of how association alone can derail careers.
Throughout his remarks, Trump sought to frame the release of the Epstein files as politically motivated and distracting. He suggested that the focus on Epstein overshadowed what he described as achievements by his administration, arguing that reporters were prioritising scandal over policy.
“This was supposed to be finished,” Trump said, dismissing ongoing questions about Epstein as an attempt to divert attention from broader political developments.
The comments come despite Trump’s own well-documented past association with Jeffrey Epstein, a relationship that has itself attracted scrutiny. Trump had previously resisted calls for full transparency over the Epstein files earlier this year, at times referring to them as exaggerated or misleading.
The release of the documents was mandated under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed into law by Trump himself. The act required the justice department to make public all remaining materials related to Epstein by last Friday.
So far, however, only one batch of documents has been released, prompting criticism from survivors, advocacy groups and lawmakers, who accuse the department of withholding key information. Calls for full disclosure have intensified amid concerns that partial releases could fuel speculation while leaving questions unanswered.
In response to the document rollout, a spokesperson for Clinton urged authorities to release all remaining material referring to him, including photographs, arguing that selective disclosure risks implying wrongdoing where none exists. The spokesperson warned that staggered releases were fuelling suspicion rather than transparency.
Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected financier, died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though it has remained the subject of intense public scrutiny and conspiracy theories.
As pressure mounts for the full release of the Epstein files, Trump’s comments underscore the political and personal stakes involved. With more documents expected, the debate now centres not only on accountability for Epstein’s crimes, but also on how public exposure affects those whose only link may have been proximity rather than participation.