President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that his name may have been planted in Jeffrey Epstein’s investigative files by former U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, former Attorney General Merrick Garland, and former FBI Director James Comey. Speaking to reporters at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Trump called the documents “a hoax,” saying, “They can easily put something in the files that’s a phony.”
The remarks follow growing pressure from Trump’s supporters to release all remaining Epstein files. Despite earlier campaign promises, Trump’s administration has not fully disclosed the documents. The files include materials from civil cases, the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, and past investigations.
In February 2025, a “phase one” release of documents confirmed Trump’s name appeared nine times, primarily in Epstein’s contact book and flight logs. Records show Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet seven times between 1993 and 1997, only between Palm Beach and New York. No evidence links Trump to visits to Epstein’s private island, Little St. James.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said he cut ties with Epstein in 2004 after a real estate dispute and alleged inappropriate behavior at Mar-a-Lago, where Epstein was later banned.
According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that his name appeared in the files alongside other public figures. She said the references were unverified and did not warrant further investigation.
Trump’s claims of planted evidence have not been backed by proof. Many documents mentioning him were made public years ago, during Maxwell’s prosecution and related lawsuits. Trump also likened the situation to the discredited Steele dossier, repeating long-held claims of political targeting.
The White House called reports of Trump’s involvement in the files “fake news,” but a source confirmed to Reuters that his name is indeed included. Social media response has been divided. Some users supported Trump, citing past cooperation with the FBI, while others viewed his comments as suspicious.
The Biden administration has said that further releases of the Epstein files are limited due to the presence of sensitive material involving victims and minors. Officials have denied the existence of a so-called “client list,” despite ongoing speculation.
