Under Pressure From Republicans, Trump Backs Release of Epstein Files in Major Political U-Turn

New York, Nov 2025 : Facing an unexpected revolt within his own party, US President Donald Trump has reversed his earlier opposition and publicly urged congressional Republicans to support the release of files related to convicted billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After days of threatening GOP members pushing for disclosure—at one point calling one lawmaker a “traitor”—Trump abruptly changed course on Sunday, declaring, “We have nothing to hide.” He then encouraged Republican legislators to move ahead with the scheduled vote on Tuesday.

This marks the second significant policy backtracking by Trump within a week. On Friday, he withdrew recently imposed tariffs on several Indian food products, including cashews, tea and mangoes, after rising prices triggered widespread criticism and street protests across the United States. His sudden reversal on both issues has fueled speculation about mounting political pressure and weakening control over segments of his base.

Epstein’s Network of Power, Crime and Influence

Jeffrey Epstein’s connections spanned the worlds of finance, politics, academia and elite social circles. He managed the assets of numerous billionaires, and his social gatherings often included global power brokers. Despite being regarded as a “network builder” by many, Epstein was convicted in Florida for procuring minors for prostitution. Later, while awaiting federal trial on sex-trafficking charges involving minors, he was found dead in a New York jail cell in 2019—a death officially ruled as suicide, though conspiracy theories have persisted.

His longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell—daughter of late British media mogul Robert Maxwell—is currently serving a prison sentence for her role in facilitating Epstein’s crimes. The pair allegedly operated a vast network of abuse that trapped vulnerable minors for the pleasure of wealthy and politically connected men.

Among those entangled in Epstein’s shadowy world was the former Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal duties and removed from his residence by King Charles after he was accused of sexually assaulting minors during visits to Epstein’s properties. Numerous emails and documents linked to Epstein have already surfaced through Democratic releases and other sources, revealing interactions with a variety of high-profile individuals.

A Bipartisan Push to Declassify Everything

Calls for a complete release of documents related to Epstein and the investigation into his death first gained traction among Trump supporters demanding transparency. Sensing an opportunity, Democrats quickly rallied behind the idea, framing it as essential for public accountability. A bipartisan bill introduced by Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Congressman Thomas Massie—requiring the declassification of all Epstein-related materials—was placed on the House schedule for a vote on Tuesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson initially attempted to delay the vote, but he was forced to concede once a sufficient number of representatives from both parties signed on to the demand.

Trump had sharply opposed the bill, launching blistering attacks on those within his party advocating for disclosure. His public feud with Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was especially visible, as he repeatedly labeled her a “traitor” for demanding the release of the files. His initial approach was to deflect attention by urging the Justice Department to investigate former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and financial giant JPMorgan Chase for their ties to Epstein.

But by Sunday, it became clear that a significant bloc of GOP lawmakers was prepared to defy him. The looming revolt threatened to spotlight diminishing loyalty among his once-unshakeable political base—a warning sign as Trump eyes the next election cycle. Attempting to contain the fallout, he reversed his stance and endorsed the vote.

Speculation Over Trump’s Motives

Khanna, speaking to NBC earlier on Sunday, argued that Trump’s shifting positions reflect a leader losing grip on his core supporters. “He’s forgotten the forgotten Americans,” Khanna said. He also emphasized that accountability must extend beyond Trump: “I don’t even know how involved Trump was in this. There are many other people involved who should be held responsible.”

Trump’s opposition to releasing the documents puzzled many observers, especially since during the 2024 campaign he had repeatedly demanded full transparency around Epstein’s network. Political analyst Taylor Moore speculated that an unnamed foreign government might be pressuring Trump to suppress certain revelations. Others believe Trump fears the documents could ensnare several influential individuals across political lines.

Trump has acknowledged previous interactions with Epstein—common among wealthy New York business circles at the time—but maintains he severed ties after learning Epstein had attempted to recruit employees from the Mar-a-Lago resort. He claims to have banned Epstein from the property and has denied knowing about any sex trafficking. However, one leaked email from Epstein suggested Trump was aware and had urged him to stop. Epstein himself later wrote to a journalist denying that Trump ever received a “massage,” a term often used euphemistically in the context of his trafficking ring.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most vocal accusers who exposed Prince Andrew and later died by suicide, had also stated that Trump was not involved in the abuse she suffered.

A Vote With High-Stakes Political Consequences

As Tuesday’s vote approaches, both parties see political opportunity. Republicans hope the documents will implicate prominent Democrats and their donors. Democrats see a chance to expose potential wrongdoing linked to Trump’s circle. But regardless of political motives, the declassification of Epstein’s files promises to be one of the most consequential transparency actions in recent memory—one that could reshuffle alliances, damage reputations and unveil secrets long buried within the American elite.

Team Maverick