President Donald Trump used a Christmas message posted online to revive his long-running claims of a political “witch hunt” tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, attacking Democrats and the news media even as the Justice Department acknowledged a significant delay in releasing records related to the late sex offender.
In a Truth Social post Thursday night, Trump accused unnamed political opponents and media organizations of falsely linking him to Epstein while shielding others he claimed had closer ties to the convicted sex offender.
Trump wrote, in part, “Merry Christmas to all, including the many Sleazebags who loved Jeffrey Epstein, gave him bundles of money, went to his Island, attended his parties, and thought he was the greatest guy on earth, only to ‘drop him like a dog’ when things got too HOT, falsely claimed they had nothing to do with him, didn’t know him, said he was a disgusting person, and then blame, of course, President Donald J. Trump, who was actually the only one who did drop Epstein, and long before it became fashionable to do so.”
He continued, “When their names get brought out in the ongoing Radical Left Witch Hunt (plus one lowlife ‘Republican,’ Massie!), and it is revealed that they are Democrats all, there will be a lot of explaining to do, much like there was when it was made public that the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax was a fictitious story – a total Scam – and had nothing to do with ‘TRUMP.’”
Why It Matters
Trump’s post landed as the Justice Department said Wednesday it may need “a few more weeks” to meet a congressionally mandated deadline to release Epstein-related records, citing the sudden discovery of more than a million potentially relevant documents.
What To Know
The Justice Department announcement, made on Christmas Eve, followed mounting pressure from lawmakers and victims’ advocates after the department missed a deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law enacted last month requiring the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
In a social media statement, the Justice Department said federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI had “uncovered over a million more documents” that could be connected to the Epstein investigation—an about-face from earlier assurances that officials had already completed a thorough review of the material. The department did not say when it became aware of the newly uncovered records.
The delay sparked immediate criticism on Capitol Hill. A group of 12 U.S. senators — 11 Democrats and one Republican — wrote Wednesday to Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume urging an independent audit of the department’s handling of the records.
“Victims deserve full disclosure,” the senators wrote, arguing that an inspector general review was needed to provide “peace of mind” that the law was being followed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this year that she had ordered the FBI to turn over all Epstein-related material after learning its New York office held thousands of pages of documents. In March, she told Fox News that a “truckload of evidence” had been delivered following her directive.
But in July, the FBI and Justice Department issued an unsigned memo saying they had completed an “exhaustive review” and determined no additional evidence should be released — a statement lawmakers now say appears to conflict with the department’s latest disclosure.
In a letter last week, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Manhattan prosecutors already had more than 3.6 million records tied to investigations of Epstein and Maxwell, though many were duplicative.
The Justice Department said its attorneys are now “working around the clock” to review the newly discovered documents and redact victims’ names and identifying details as required by law.
“We will release the documents as soon as possible,” the department said. “Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks.”
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, one of the authors of the transparency law, accused the department of violating the statute by missing the deadline and making what he called illegal redactions. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said lawmakers would continue pressing for compliance.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Trump of overseeing a cover-up.
“A Christmas Eve news dump of ‘a million more files’ only proves what we already know: Trump is engaged in a massive coverup,” Schumer said. “The question Americans deserve answered is simple: What are they hiding — and why?”
The White House defended the Justice Department’s actions, praising Bondi and Blanche and saying they were carrying out Trump’s agenda.
The Justice Department has released several batches of records since Friday, but many documents were already public or heavily redacted. Newly disclosed materials include grand jury testimony from FBI agents who described interviews with girls and young women who said they were paid to perform sex acts for Epstein.
Other records include a 2020 prosecutor’s note indicating Trump had flown on Epstein’s private plane more often than previously reported, as well as emails between Maxwell and an individual believed to be Britain’s Prince Andrew. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said he cut ties with Epstein years before his arrest.
Former Democratic President Bill Clinton is also among those featured in recently released photographs and documents. As the files fueled renewed political debate, Clinton’s spokesperson challenged the administration’s approach, calling for full transparency and criticizing what they described as selective disclosures.
Senators pushing for an inspector general audit said full transparency is essential to identifying individuals who enabled Epstein’s crimes—and to rebuilding public trust in how the government has handled the case.
What People Are Saying
Trump’s Christmas post also took aim at media coverage, writing, “The Failing New York Times, among many others, was forced to apologize for their bad and faulty Election ‘Reporting,’ even to the point of losing many subscribers due to their highly inaccurate (FAKE!) coverage. Now the same losers are at it again, only this time so many of their friends, mostly innocent, will be badly hurt and reputationally tarnished. But sadly, that’s the way it is in the World of Corrupt Democrat Politics!!! Enjoy what may be your last Merry Christmas! President Donald J. Trump.”
Massie posted on X, “Merry Christmas to you too Mr. President! So… I’ve teamed up with radical left democrats to expose… Democrats. This 4D chess is fun!”
Khanna posted on X, “What a novel idea to put country before party. @RepThomasMassie & I want a new beginning this Christmas that protects young girls and holds these disgusting men accountable. Merry Christmas!”
What Happens Next
The Justice Department did not provide a firm date for when remaining Epstein records will be released. Lawmakers said they would keep pressing for compliance with the disclosure law, and suggested the Senate could pursue legal action or an inspector general review if delays continue. Additional releases are expected in the coming weeks as the department completes its review.
