President Donald Trump has reversed his stance and now supports a House Republican push to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case — a sharp turn that comes after mounting pressure from within his own party.
“We have nothing to hide,” Trump wrote on social media late Sunday, shortly after returning to Washington from Florida. He dismissed the effort as a “Democrat Hoax” but acknowledged it was time to “move on,” signaling that House supporters have enough votes to pass the measure.
A Rare Trump Backtrack Amid GOP Infighting
The reversal highlights a deepening split inside the Republican Party, particularly between Trump and one of his former most loyal allies, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Their feud escalated over the past week, with Trump publicly severing ties and vowing to endorse a 2026 challenger against her.
Greene, a co-sponsor of the discharge petition to force the Epstein files vote, said the disagreement “has all come down to the Epstein files,” adding she believed Americans deserved transparency.
Trump’s shift suggests he recognizes that House Republicans are poised to defy both party leadership and the president. The bill’s future in the Senate, however, remains uncertain.
Momentum Builds Behind the Discharge Petition
The bipartisan measure, led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), would require the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files and communications, with only victim identities and ongoing investigations eligible for redaction.
In a rare and dramatic move, lawmakers used a discharge petition to bypass House leadership. They achieved the necessary 218 signatures after newly sworn-in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) signed immediately upon taking office.
Massie predicts “100 or more” Republicans will support the bill, potentially creating a veto-proof majority — something he said would be a significant blow to Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson.
GOP Leadership Braces for a Major Vote
Speaker Johnson, who previously dismissed the petition as a “gambit,” now appears resigned to the upcoming vote. He acknowledged the House is likely to pass the bill, saying, “There’s nothing to hide.”
The debate intensifies as new documents circulating in recent weeks raise fresh questions about Epstein’s network and an email in which Epstein claimed Trump “knew about the girls.” The White House has accused Democrats of selectively leaking materials to damage the president.
Trump’s name does appear in DOJ-released records from earlier in 2025, but he has never been accused of wrongdoing, and officials stress that inclusion in case files does not imply guilt.
A MAGA World Split Widens
The Epstein files fight has exposed fractures in the pro-Trump wing of the GOP. Three Republicans — Greene, Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) — broke with the president to sign the petition.
Over the weekend, Trump intensified his attacks on Greene, calling her a “Traitor to our Country” in a late-night social media post sent from his helicopter.
Massie warned that the public record of the vote will “last longer than Donald Trump’s presidency,” urging colleagues not to be swayed by fears of losing Trump’s endorsement.
What Comes Next
Even if the House passes the legislation, its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. Massie expressed hope that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) will bring it to the floor, saying, “The pressure is going to be there if we get a big vote in the House.”
Victims of Epstein’s crimes are expected to appear at a Capitol Hill press conference on Tuesday, and Khanna has encouraged Trump to meet with them directly.
