House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that former President Donald Trump acted as an FBI informant to dismantle Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network, citing Trump's "great sympathy for the women who have suffered these unspeakable harms." This claim emerged amidst increasing calls for transparency concerning Epstein's activities, with survivors advocating for the Epstein Files Transparency Bill. This proposed legislation aims to mandate the release of all unclassified records related to Epstein's operations.
However, former President Trump has dismissed the escalating demands for further disclosures as a "Democrat hoax," suggesting a politicization of the issue. This debate is further fueled by the House Oversight Committee's release of over 33,000 pages of documents. Critics argue that these documents are heavily redacted and largely consist of publicly available information, with Democrats on the committee estimating that approximately 97% of the release comprises previously disclosed court filings and records. While some new flight logs from Epstein's private plane between 2000 and 2014 have been noted, the overall impact of this release on shedding new light on the case remains a subject of discussion.
The push for transparency is also being driven by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan effort introduced by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna. This bill seeks to compel a vote on the complete release of government files pertaining to Epstein. As of early September 2025, the discharge petition for this bill was reportedly close to gathering the necessary signatures to bypass House leadership and proceed to a vote. Survivors of Epstein's abuse have actively supported this initiative, with some speaking publicly for the first time to urge lawmakers and former President Trump to advocate for full disclosure.
Despite the ongoing calls for transparency, including pleas directed at former President Trump to leverage his influence, the situation remains complex. Trump's characterization of the demands as a "Democrat hoax" has been met with skepticism by some, including sports icon Martina Navratilova, who has publicly questioned the assertion. The differing perspectives highlight the contentious nature of the Epstein case and the ongoing efforts to uncover all relevant information, with public discourse reflecting a broader societal desire for accountability and truth.