Epstein survivor says Trump friendship was disgraced financier's ultimate brag: 'They were very close'

WASHINGTON, DC: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein stepped up pressure on Congress on Wednesday, September 3, urging lawmakers to release all files from the Justice Department’s long-running investigation.

Speaking at a Capitol Hill press conference, survivors described Epstein’s ties to powerful figures, including President Donald Trump, as lawmakers advanced a bipartisan push to make the documents public.

Survivor says Epstein 'was very good friends' with Trump

Chauntae Davies, who has accused Jeffrey Epstein of abuse, told reporters that the disgraced financier and Ghislaine Maxwell regularly flaunted their relationships with prominent people. “And his biggest brag forever was that he was very good friends with Donald Trump,” she said.

Davies added that Epstein kept evidence of that closeness on display. “He had an 8-0-10 framed picture of him on his desk with the two of them, like they were very close.”

At the event, survivors and advocates carried signs demanding “Release the Files” and “He is on the List.” Five women also held up giant letters spelling out “S-H-A-M-E.”

Survivor's remarks about Epstein and Trump's friendship divide Internet

Survivors’ claims about Jeffrey Epstein bragging about his Donald Trump ties ignited a wave of debate online.

One user said, "Nothing to see here. Elon Musk was lying when he said Trump was in the files. Trump can't release them out of respect for the victims. The victims need to understand that he is protecting them so they don't have to speak out and tell stories!"

Another wrote, "Epstein used photos with many world leaders and celebrities to brag about himself. A picture on his desk doesn’t mean a close friendship saying it proves Trump was involved is wrong. Trump has condemned Epstein’s actions."

One tweeted, "A criminal bragging about knowing celebrities? At that time, Trump was uber famous so of course he did."

A person wrote, "Oh something we all knew. Trump and Epstein knew each other. Shocking,"

"No freaking way. This only made it look like a political hit job. At that time, Bill Clinton would have been a much bigger deal than Trump," an individual claimed. 

One who was skeptical about the claim stated, "When I was a kid, I had posters of Barry Sanders on my wall that doesn’t mean I knew him and was best friends with him These people were named droppers and knew everybody Who didn’t know Donald Trump’s name?"

Epstein survivors warn of independent action

Lisa Phillips, another victim, said survivors would not stay silent if Congress failed to act. “Together as survivors, we will confidentially compile the names we all know, who were regularly in the Epstein world,” she said.

Her comments reflected frustration with the pace of official action and a growing determination by victims to pursue their own efforts for accountability.

The press conference was led by Reps Thomas Massie (R-Ky) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), who are spearheading a bipartisan petition to compel the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related investigative documents.

As of Wednesday, 134 lawmakers had signed the petition, 130 Democrats and four Republicans – Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Nancy Mace (R-SC).

If all Democrats support the measure, just two more Republican signatures would be enough to reach the 218 threshold required to trigger a vote.

Trump, who once socialized with Epstein and Maxwell but has said he later had a “falling out with Epstein,” dismissed the campaign. “It’s a Democrat hoax,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

Republican leaders have also resisted calls to release the files, arguing that doing so could risk exposing the identities of victims who wish to remain anonymous.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.