President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed calls for the full release of Jeffrey Epstein documents as a “Democrat hoax” while survivors pleaded with Congress for transparency.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump insisted that thousands of pages of records had already been provided and said the issue distracted from his administration’s successes.
“I could check, but from what I understand, thousands of pages of documents have been given,” Trump told reporters, adding, “This is a Democrat hoax that never ends.”
Later at the Capitol, a group of women who say they suffered abuse at Epstein’s hands shared emotional testimony. Marina Lacerda, a key witness in the 2019 indictment, declared through tears, “This is not a hoax. It’s not going to go away.”
Anouska De Georgiou, the first survivor to speak, said the days of “sweeping this under the rug are over.” She urged lawmakers to listen.
Haley Robson, identifying as a registered Republican, directly challenged the president’s comments. “I cordially invite you to meet me in the Capitol so you can understand this is not a hoax,” she said.
Jena-Lisa Jones recounted meeting Epstein at age 14. “I had never been more scared in my life than I was that first time that he hurt me,” she said, adding, “Sometimes I still feel that it was my fault.”
Courtney Wild demanded answers on how Epstein stayed protected. “Who is still being protected, and who protected them all?” she asked, calling for the truth to emerge.
The survivors joined Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna in urging support for their discharge petition. This House rule tool would force a vote on public release of all Epstein files within 30 days.
Four Republicans have already signed the petition: Massie, Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. If all 212 Democrats add their names, only two more Republicans are needed to reach the 218-signature threshold.
Massie said he hoped colleagues reflected on what they would do if it were their own sister or daughter. Khanna emphasized the bipartisan nature of the effort. “Today we stand with survivors,” he said.
Attorney Bradley Edwards, who represents more than 200 survivors, predicted overwhelming support. “When you see the documents, you’re going to be appalled,” he warned.
House Republican leadership and the White House oppose the petition. Speaker Mike Johnson urged GOP members in a closed meeting not to support it, calling it insufficient to protect victims.
Johnson argued that the House Oversight Committee’s ongoing investigation offered stronger legal authority and the ability to redact sensitive information before public release.
On Tuesday evening, the Oversight Committee released more than 33,000 pages of documents provided by the Justice Department and Epstein estate. Republicans and Democrats agreed most had already been in the public domain.
Top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, said 97 percent of the files were previously available. He added there was no new client list or material that advanced justice for survivors.
Survivor Marina Lacerda spoke of her own journey from witness to advocate. She credited her courage to sharing her story, hoping it would empower other victims to come forward.
Survivor Anouska De Georgiou said public hearings are necessary to ensure lasting change. “We the survivors say ‘no more,’ ” she declared.
Courtney Wild criticized recent interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell and stressed that real answers lie in the undisclosed files. She demanded the public know how Epstein continued abusing victims for years.
Some lawmakers have urged caution. Johnson met six survivors behind closed doors Tuesday and said the emotional session reinforced his commitment to a thorough, bipartisan process.
Massie described Johnson’s preferred approach as a “placebo.” He displayed a heavily redacted flight log and accused leadership of protecting powerful names.
Greene vowed to read every name of alleged enablers on the House floor if survivors grant permission. “I’ll say every name that abused these women,” she said.
Federal agents collected more than 300 gigabytes of evidence in the case, but much remains sealed under court orders and national security claims.
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal conspiracy and child sex-trafficking charges. He died by suicide in custody a month later. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence.
Survivors and advocates argue that secrecy shields wealthy and influential individuals who aided or ignored Epstein’s crimes. They say full disclosure is essential for accountability.
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With Congress back in session, the discharge petition’s fate will test House Republican unity and the White House’s sway. Outcomes may shape future oversight of powerful figures.
As survivors made their voices heard, they underscored their shared goal: end the veil of secrecy and bring all pertinent truths into the light.
