Trump Breaks Silence on Epstein Files, Claims They 'Absolve' Him and Threatens Lawsuit
Former President Donald Trump made a series of bold claims to reporters on Saturday, asserting that the recent release of millions of pages of documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein serves to "absolve him" of any association. Breaking his silence on the matter while aboard Air Force One during a flight from Washington, D.C., to West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump stated, "I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it's the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left."
Allegations of Conspiracy and Legal Threats
The president then escalated the situation by suggesting potential legal action against author Michael Wolff. Trump alleged that Wolff and Epstein were "conspiring" against him, pointing to a February 2016 email where Wolff reportedly described Epstein as the "bullet" that could end Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. According to Fox News, Trump declared, "Wolff, who is a third-rate writer, was conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to hurt me, politically or otherwise, and that came through loud and clear. So, we'll probably sue Wolff on that."
Background on the Document Release
On Friday, the Department of Justice released a significant trove of documents, following a law passed by Congress last year that legally required the Trump administration to disclose all related files. This release has garnered widespread attention, with Trump being referenced thousands of times in the documents. However, it is crucial to note that being mentioned in these files does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing or direct association with Epstein's crimes.
The documents include various emails where Epstein and others shared news stories about Trump, commented on his policies and politics, and engaged in gossip about him and his family. Additionally, a spreadsheet created in August compiled uncorroborated tips from individuals claiming to have knowledge of potential misconduct by Trump. Among other powerful figures referenced in the files are Elon Musk and Bill Clinton, highlighting the broad scope of the investigation.
Trump's comments mark a significant development in the ongoing public discourse surrounding the Epstein case, as he attempts to frame the document release in a favorable light while threatening legal repercussions against perceived adversaries.
