Trump Questions Epstein File Contents

President Donald Trump suggested that some people listed in the Jeffrey Epstein files “don’t deserve to be there.” He spoke on Friday afternoon (August 22) at the White House while responding to a reporter’s question.

When asked if he supported releasing the files to the House Oversight Committee, Trump replied:

“I’m in support of keeping it open. Innocent people shouldn’t be hurt. You have a lot of people that could be mentioned in those files who don’t deserve to be because he knew everybody in Palm Beach.”

Trump added that he told Attorney General Pam Bondi to “give them everything you can give them,” calling the Epstein case “a Democrat hoax.”

Pressure Mounts to Release Files

The Trump administration has faced growing pressure to release the so-called Epstein files. Speculation has swirled that the records may contain a “client list” of wealthy and powerful individuals.

Attorney General Bondi said months ago that the files were ready for release, but the Department of Justice initially announced it would not share them further. Officials also denied the existence of any such “client list.”

Administration Changes Course

Despite earlier hesitation, the Trump administration later decided to release all FBI files, including grand jury testimony. Yet Trump continued to question the files’ credibility, calling the Epstein investigation “a hoax built up way beyond proportion.”

He claimed the files were controlled by his political rivals:

“They were run by Comey, Garland, Biden, and others who ran the government. They were run by my enemy. If there was anything in there, they would have used it for the election.”

Friday’s Press Conference: World Cup Draw

Trump held the press conference to announce that the 2026 World Cup draw would take place at the Kennedy Center. Normally, the draw occurs in December before the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US.

While Washington, D.C., is not a host city for matches, the draw gives the capital a key role. The tournament will feature 48 countries, bring six million fans, and generate an estimated $30 billion in economic impact. Reports note Trump has developed a friendly relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.