(NewsNation) — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released never-before-seen emails Wednesday calling into question President Donald Trump’s knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s conduct sex trafficking underage girls.
Shortly after the initial release outlined in this story by Democrats, G.O.P lawmakers released tens of thousands of emails from Epstein estate. The Democrats released three emails about President Donald Trump and then the GOP released 20,000 files shortly thereafter.
In one email from 2019, Epstein appeared to write to journalist Michael Wolff, “Of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.”
What’s included in the Epstein emails?
The lawmakers posted the emails on social media:
Trump ‘spent hours’ with victim at Epstein’s house, emails say
In one email dated April 2, 2011, between Epstein and his longtime accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her involvement in sex trafficking minors, he wrote, “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump. [Victim] spent hours at my house with him,, he has never once mentioned. police chief etc. i’m 75% there.”
In another email from 2015, Epstein asked Wolff what he should do if the media asks then-candidate Trump about their friendship. Wolff replied that Epstein should let Trump “hang himself.”
Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The White House released a statement shortly after the release.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump. The ‘unnamed victim’ referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and ‘couldn’t have been friendlier’ to her in their limited interactions.”
NewsNation’s Joe Khalil spoke to Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D) on Wednesday ahead of her swearing in later today. She told him, “It’s been quite the roller coaster… I’m glad that we’re going to finally be able to sign the discharge petition and keep that commitment.” She added that she believed her swearing in was delayed for six weeks due to the upcoming Epstein vote.
Attorney calls for ‘accountability’ after Epstein emails released
Lisa Bloom, attorney for 11 Epstein accusers, told NewsNation that lawmakers need to “release all the files immediately. Accountability for everyone involved. Respect the survivors. Anything less is injustice and prolongs their suffering.”
Bloom’s law firm partner, Arick Fudali, echoed a similar sentiment. He said to NewsNation, “I believe these bizarre, out of contexts emails perhaps provide more insight into the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein and likely pose more questions than answers. Certainly, it seems like there is more to their relationship than has been previous known. This is precisely why Epstein’s survivors and I have been advocating for the full release of all the files, so the American public don’t need to guess or speculate anymore about the President’s involvement with the most prolific sexual predator of our time.”
Journalist Tara Palmeri, who has covered the Epstein case for several years, said the release of the emails will make it particularly challenging for House Republicans to oppose legislation calling for the release of the Epstein files.
“It will make it much more difficult for House Republicans to vote against the bill to release the Epstein files because it shows a clear link to Trump,” Palmeri said. “It will only increase the pressure from the White House to make sure they don’t come out.”
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