Fact Check: Did Trump promise to release all Epstein files if Republicans won the midterms?
WASHINGTON, DC: Ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which the GOP is projected to lose, a rumor is circulating on social media platforms claiming that President Donald Trump has promised to release all Epstein files if Republicans win the election. The claim has sparked speculation among online users, who are calling for a fact-check.
Claim: Trump promised to release all Epstein files
The claim spread with the appearance of a post on X, which stated, “Donald Trump claims that if voters keep Republicans in control of Congress, he'll release all the Epstein Files, 'for real this time.’"
The claim drew conflicting reactions, with many mocking the president and highlighting his fear of losing the upcoming election. Others praised him for the remark, indicating netizens believe it is an actual statement from the president, while others questioned the claim’s authenticity.
Fact Check: Donald Trump made no such promise
However, the claim is rated as false, as there are no records of Trump promising to release the controversial files linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
There are no recent statements, official announcements, campaign speeches, or social media posts from the president where he was heard making such a promise.
If Trump has really made such a promise, prominent news media outlets would have widely covered it, making headlines, but a search on Google for the claim yielded no such news reports, except for the social media posts that shared the claim.
A further look at the account that posted the claim revealed that it describes itself in the bio as ‘satire,’ made for the sake of engagement.
Trump urges voters to treat him as being on the ballot
The claim surfaced amid the pressure and tensions against the Trump administration as his party is projected to lose the November election.
Trump acknowledged the historical pattern of midterm losses, saying, “Typically, a president, Republican or Democrat, doesn’t win the midterms. We’re going to try and change that around.”
He tied the effort to his legislative agenda, saying Republicans had delivered “the largest tax cuts in history” and accused Democrats of seeking “the biggest increase in taxes in the history of our country.”
He also urged Oklahoma voters to act as though he would appear on the ballot. “What I’m asking people to do is get out and vote, pretend I’m on the ticket,” Trump said.
“When I’m on the ticket, everybody votes. We do great,” he added.
