Turnberry, Scotland – President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in Turnberry, Scotland, claimed his name’s appearance in the Jeffrey Epstein files may have been planted by former Attorney General Merrick Garland, former FBI Director James Comey, or President Joe Biden, dismissing the files as a “hoax” run by “the worst scum on earth.”
Asked why he wasn’t briefed about his name appearing in the files, Trump referenced the discredited 2016 Steele dossier and suggested fabricated entries. He also reiterated openness to pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021, though he claimed no one had approached him about it.
The comments, amid pressure to release the Epstein files, intensify scrutiny of Trump’s ties to the disgraced financier, set against a volatile second term marked by election fraud allegations and public health crises.
Trump’s Claims of a Hoax and Epstein Files
When asked, “You had said you had not been briefed that your name was in the Epstein files, doesn’t the AG have to tell you?” Trump responded, “Well, I haven’t been overly interested in it. It’s a hoax that’s been built up by those, way beyond proportion. Those files were run by the worst scum on earth. They were run by Comey, they were run by Garland, they were run by Biden. Those files were run for four years by those people. The whole thing is a hoax. They ran the files. I was running against somebody that ran the files. If they had something they would have released.”
He drew parallels to the Steele dossier, a 2016 collection of unverified reports by former British spy Christopher Steele alleging Trump-Russia ties, saying, “They can easily put something in the files that’s a phony… The whole thing was a fake. Those files were run by sick, sick people.”
Trump’s name appears nine times in the “phase one” Epstein file release, in flight logs and Epstein’s contact book, per The Wall Street Journal. Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed him in May 2025 about these mentions, which do not imply wrongdoing, per the report. No evidence supports Trump’s claim of planted entries, with a 2024 DOJ review finding no tampering.
Maxwell Pardon and Mar-a-Lago Ban
On Ghislaine Maxwell, sentenced to 20 years for child sex trafficking in 2021, Trump said, “Well, I’m allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody’s approached me with it, nobody’s asked me about it. It’s in the news… but right now it would be inappropriate to talk about it.” The remark, echoing his July 25 comment, “It’s something I haven’t thought about… I’m allowed to do it,” has sparked speculation, especially after Maxwell’s DOJ interview and prison transfer.
Addressing his fallout with Epstein, Trump said, “For years I wouldn’t talk to Jeffrey Epstein. He did something that was inappropriate. He hired help, and I said don’t ever do that again. He stole people that worked for me. And he did it again, and I threw him out of the place, persona non grata, and that was it. I’m glad I did,” referring to banning Epstein from Mar-a-Lago.
Epstein’s Crimes and Island
Epstein, a financier convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from minors, was arrested in 2019 for sex trafficking and conspiracy involving girls as young as 14, running a trafficking operation across New York, Florida, New Mexico, and his private island, Little Saint James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The 70-78-acre island, purchased in 1998, featured villas, pools, and a temple-like structure and was central to abuse allegations. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, per authorities. Trump flew on Epstein’s jet, the “Lolita Express,” seven times in the 1990s between Palm Beach and New York, but flight logs show no trips to the island, and Trump denies visiting.
National Tensions and Political Divide
Trump’s remarks coincide with a polarized national climate. His August push to expand private prison contracts, awarding $2 billion to GEO Group, has drawn criticism for profiting off mass deportations.
A federal judge’s August 22 ruling against Trump’s voter suppression task force, citing discriminatory intent, has fueled protests in Pennsylvania. The resignation of NASA Administrator Bill Nelson over Trump’s space policy shift to prioritize Mars missions has sparked debate, with 55% of Americans opposing the plan, per a 2025 Gallup poll.
On X, reactions vary. Liberals like @JusticeWatchUSA posted, “Trump’s dodging Epstein files with conspiracies—release them now!” while MAGA users like @TrueMagaVoice defended, “Trump’s exposing Deep State lies—Epstein files are a Biden setup!”
Reporter: You had said you had not been briefed that your name was in the Epstein files, doesn’t the AG have to tell you?
Trump: It’s a hoax. Those files were run by the worst scum on earth. They run by Garland, Comey… They can easily put something in the files that’s a phony. pic.twitter.com/purkJNwVxh
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 28, 2025
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What’s Next?
Trump’s Epstein claims risk alienating supporters, with 68% of Republicans favoring full file release, per a 2025 Rasmussen poll. His pardon comments could complicate Bondi’s DOJ review, due November. The Steele dossier reference, debunked by a 2020 Senate report, may weaken his credibility amid a Michigan ballot stuffing scandal.
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