Georgia Republican Mike Collins was caught on a recording saying Trump appears in the Epstein files. The Senate candidate made these comments during a local GOP meeting on August 13.
Collins told a Muscogee County Republican Party gathering that Trump was mentioned in the documents. He said the president was “in there” because Trump “was the one telling the FBI about it.”
The congressman explained that Trump had previously banned Jeffrey Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. Collins supports releasing the documents publicly despite potential legal complications.
A Collins campaign spokesperson defended his remarks about Trump and Epstein. The spokesperson said Trump “was right about everything” and “kicked Epstein to the curb.”
Collins stated he has “no problem” with releasing the Epstein files to the public. He warned that legal issues involving judges and grand jury materials could slow the process.
The episode shows growing tensions within the Republican Party over Epstein document transparency. Trump has resisted releasing files despite previous campaign promises to do so.
The Justice Department announced in July it found no Epstein “client list.” This contradicted Attorney General Pam Bondi’s February statement that the list was “on my desk.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that Bondi told Trump his name appeared repeatedly in DOJ Epstein files. Being mentioned does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing by the president.
Trump and Epstein were known friends for years before their relationship ended around 2004. The White House dismissed reports about Trump’s name in files as “fake news.”
The Justice Department recently delivered heavily redacted Epstein files to Congress following a bipartisan subpoena. Lawmakers including Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna want full public release.
The House Oversight Committee issued a sweeping subpoena to Epstein’s estate this week. They demanded his will, travel logs, and nondisclosure agreements by September 8.
The committee also wants the controversial “birthday book” allegedly compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. Former Attorney General Alexander Acosta will testify before the committee on September 19.
A federal judge in New York rejected efforts to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts. The judge cited concerns about victim privacy and limited transparency benefits.
Senator Jon Ossoff has criticized Trump heavily on the Epstein files issue. The Democratic senator called Trump a “sexual predator president” during a July speech.
This controversy has affected the Georgia Republican Senate primary significantly. Collins, Buddy Carter, and Derek Dooley are competing for Trump’s endorsement.
Carter has sided with Trump on the Epstein files matter completely. He said he supports the president and trusts his handling of the situation.
Dooley has avoided addressing the Epstein files issue since entering the race. The former football coach has Governor Brian Kemp’s backing in the primary.
Collins had been more vocal about releasing Epstein files before launching his Senate campaign. He tweeted demands to “Release the Epstein files” and other classified documents.
Collins previously marked the anniversary of Epstein’s 2019 indictment on social media. He criticized the government for withholding client lists and island visitor records.
His political action committee fundraised off House Oversight Committee subpoenas for Epstein documents. Collins told donors this was “bigger than the Russia scandal” without criticizing Trump.
Democratic members say the Justice Department’s initial document release contained mostly recycled information. Only three percent of 33,295 pages provided new insights about Epstein.
The new documents included flight logs from 2000 to 2014 and some customs records. Most other materials had already been released by various law enforcement agencies.
House Republicans face pressure from their base to release more Epstein documents. Trump supporters have demanded greater transparency despite the president’s resistance to disclosure.
The controversy highlights divisions between Trump’s promises and his administration’s actual policies. Republican lawmakers must balance loyalty to Trump with constituent demands for transparency.
Collins’ hot mic moment reveals the delicate position many Republicans face on this issue. They want to support Trump while satisfying voters who demand answers about Epstein.
The Georgia Senate race has become a test case for how Republicans handle the Epstein controversy. Collins’ comments show the political risks of discussing Trump’s connections to the case.
