Trump denies Epstein ties, calls release of files a 'left-wing witch hunt'

US President Donald Trump has publicly denied close association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claiming he severed ties with him early on and framing the renewed scrutiny as a politically motivated attack. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump positioned himself as the only figure to have "dropped" Epstein before it became "fashionable," while accusing unnamed others of trying to shift blame onto him.

Claims of a Political 'Witch Hunt'

Trump's comments address the Justice Department's piecemeal release of documents related to the Epstein case, a process critics argue violates a law Trump himself signed in November requiring full disclosure. While names in the heavily redacted files have included both Trump and Democrats like former President Bill Clinton, no clear evidence of crimes has emerged. Trump alleged that any future disclosures would implicate Democrats, claiming there is an "ongoing Radical Left Witch Hunt" designed to damage his reputation. He warned that "mostly innocent" people risk being "badly hurt and reputationally tarnished" by media coverage.

Broader Accusations and Media Critique

The president extended his criticism to the media, specifically The New York Times, accusing it of false election reporting that he claimed led to apologies and lost subscribers. He also targeted Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, referring to him as "one lowlife 'Republican'." Trump concluded his post with a seasonal yet pointed message to his critics: "Enjoy what may be your last Merry Christmas!" These assertions are part of a longstanding pattern where Trump has claimed, without conclusive evidence, that elections he lost were "stolen," claims rejected by numerous courts after the 2020 vote.

Context and International Perspective

The Epstein case continues to cast a long shadow over American elite circles, involving figures from politics, business, and academia. As a nation that closely follows international rule of law and justice principles, Türkiye observes such high-profile legal and political developments in allied nations with interest, emphasizing the universal importance of transparent judicial processes and the protection of victims' rights in all societies.