US donald trump Jeffrey Epstein
Donald Trump urged Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files, but people have spotted a snag or two – 17 revealing responses
In a spectacular about-face to rival Marjorie Taylor Greene coming out to bat against Donald Trump, the man himself has announced he wishes House Republicans to say yes to the release of the Epstein Files in this week’s vote on the matter in Congress.
Trump: "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide." pic.twitter.com/YbkQ8etpSJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 17, 2025
Before anyone rejoices at this Scrooge-worthy epiphany, there are, of course, one or two (or more) huge problems with Trump’s apparent new-found transparency.
If he isn’t objecting to the release of the files, there’s no need for the vote.
.@realDonaldTrump I’m glad you finally realized that you are about to lose this Epstein vote and are now encouraging Republicans to VOTE YES.
But you have the power to release them today without a vote. Stop the cover-up, RELEASE THE FILES! pic.twitter.com/GMlIIvCAGg
— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) November 17, 2025
Reports suggest that, even without his intervention, enough Republicans would have supported the release to swing the vote – making Trump’s post merely a face-saving move.
To be clear: Trump is only calling for the GOP to release the Epstein files because he was told he’s about to lose 150+ republicans on this vote. pic.twitter.com/bYYnRzNsSX
— Angry Staffer (@Angry_Staffer) November 17, 2025
Some people suspect that the Department of Justice may have been indulging in some evidence tampering in the eight months since they said the files were about to be released.
BREAKING: trump confirms that the DOJ has completed removing his name from any damaging mentions in the Epstein files, finally approves releasing them as a result
They have "nothing to hide" because they've finished hiding all of that shit already, LMAO pic.twitter.com/lcbk5Kk8tN
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) November 17, 2025
And others are wondering whether his recent instruction to open investigations into Democrats who are or may be mentioned in the files might have been a strategic move.
The key phrase here is “whatever they are legally entitled to.” Trump ordered the DOJ to launch an investigation into Epstein’s ties to Democrats so he can claim that large portions of the files now “can’t be released” due to an active investigation. It’s a manufactured loophole… https://t.co/e8RXV25ZKw
— Brett Meiselas (@BMeiselas) November 17, 2025
Whatever the reason for the change of tack, it got people talking.
1.
Horseshit. He's banking on the fact that the DOJ cannot release the files because of the new "investigation" he just ordered Pam Bondi to open pic.twitter.com/YrPlp7Of1q
— Liam Nissan™ (@theliamnissan) November 17, 2025
2.
It's HILARIOUS that you're now saying you have "nothing to hide" after spending the past six months deflecting and distracting from the Epstein files
You went from campaigning on releasing it
to saying there is no Epstein list
to calling it a hoax
to having 1,000 agents "flag"… pic.twitter.com/gZIntyeSEW— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) November 17, 2025
3.
Trump doesn’t have to call on House Republican to vote to release the file.
Trump can order Bondi and Patel to release the files. Tomorrow.
The question is, has he already ordered Bondi and Patel to destroy some of the files after they went through them months ago. https://t.co/JGTkjMWq3a
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) November 17, 2025
4.
So now Trump is telling Republicans to vote in favor of releasing the Epstein files… but this is obviously a game. He doesn’t want them released. If he did, why doesn’t he release them right now? He’s the president. He could make them public this instant.
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) November 17, 2025
5.
Now that direct threats aren’t working, he’s trying reverse psychology. https://t.co/z6bJBuvppl
— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) November 17, 2025
6.
https://t.co/OeEJaFu38F pic.twitter.com/QEqiiPNSgn
— Head in the Office (@headintheoffice) November 17, 2025
7.
the concept of beginning a tweet by talking about the epstein files and ending a tweet with “transgender for everyone” https://t.co/yLmGZpDKk1
— َ (@yvnces) November 17, 2025
8.
Trump now says Republicans can vote to release the Epstein files.
He never urged Republicans to support the discharge petition. He never demanded Mike Johnson swear in Adelita Grijalva. But now, after reports indicate 100+ GOPers are planning to support their release, he caves.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 17, 2025
9.
After spending days pressuring individual congressional republicans to vote no on releasing the files, and after it became clear that he couldn’t stop this from happening, Trump pretends like he was in favor of doing it all along.
So pathetic lol. https://t.co/LBA5xK36U5
— Hutch (@hutchinson) November 17, 2025