menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Trump's Latest Epstein Denial Has Critics Asking New Questions

21 5
17.02.2026

Trump's Latest Epstein Denial Has Critics Asking New Questions

The president insisted he was "totally exonerated" by the latest Epstein files release, but not everyone is buying it.

President Donald Trump’s critics aren’t buying his latest claim about the files related to his former friend, the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“I have nothing to hide. I’ve been exonerated. I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday evening. “They went in hoping that they’d find it and found just the opposite. I’ve been totally exonerated.”

He used the phrase “totally exonerated” at least two more times during the exchange.

The files do not offer new evidence of wrongdoing by Trump. However, Trump – who was once close to Epstein – is mentioned frequently, and the documents are so heavily redacted that critics say many questions remain.

Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) last week said he searched the unredacted files available to lawmakers for “Don,” “Donald” and “Trump” and received more than 1 million results.

Trump on Monday also insisted that ”[Bill and Hillary] Clinton and many other Democrats have been pulled in” by the documents.

However, those same documents have also raised new questions about members of his own administration and inner circle.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick,........

© HuffPost