FORMER PRESIDENT CLAIMS PARTY IS USING EPSTEIN CONTROVERSY TO SHIFT BLAME FOR SHUTDOWN CRISIS
PALM BEACH, Florida — November 12, 2025. Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Democrats on Tuesday, accusing them of using what he called the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” to divert attention from their handling of the ongoing 41-day federal government shutdown.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that “Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything to deflect from how badly they’ve done on the shutdown.”
The former president said his opponents were “viciously closing the country” and costing the U.S. economy “$1.5 trillion,” calling the current standoff “the worst act of political sabotage in modern times.” He urged Republicans not to be “distracted by Epstein or anything else” and to focus on reopening the government.
Trump’s comments came just hours after House Democrats released a batch of 2011 Epstein-related emails, including one unverified message that mentioned Trump in connection with Epstein’s social circle — a reference the Oversight Committee said was “not confirmed or substantiated.”
Democratic lawmakers denied Trump’s claims, insisting the release was part of an ongoing transparency push to declassify Epstein-related documents. “This isn’t a political stunt,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “The public deserves to know what was hidden for years.”
Republicans aligned with Trump echoed his argument, describing the timing of the document release as “calculated” amid Democratic pressure over the shutdown’s economic fallout. “They’re trying to change the narrative,” said one GOP strategist familiar with the former president’s inner circle.
The remarks mark Trump’s latest attempt to reframe the political conversation as Republicans face internal divisions over budget negotiations and the shutdown’s growing public impact.
Polls show the standoff has damaged both parties, though analysts note the White House is under heavier scrutiny as federal services remain limited and markets show signs of strain.
For now, Trump’s message is clear: he wants Republicans to stay focused on reopening the government — not on Epstein, Democrats, or what he calls “media distractions.”
