Fact Check: Did Trump say he'd start a war to distract from the Epstein files?

WASHINGTON, DC: As the conflict with Iran has escalated following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a claim has been circulating on social media platforms that a leaked phone call reveals that President Donald Trump said he'd start a war to distract from the Epstein files. Let us analyse the authenticity of the rumor and fact-check the claim.

Claim: Leaked audio reveals Donald Trump started war to distract from Epstein files

In February and March, social media users began sharing sound clips allegedly featuring a leaked phone call recording of Trump, in which the president is heard yelling not release files related to convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein, even if it takes starting a war to distract from the controversial case. 

The clip began circulating after the US and Israel airstrikes targeting Iran on February 28.

In the audio, Trump is heard saying, “We're not releasing the Epstein files! F*** Marjorie Taylor Green. I don't care what you do. Start a f***ing war. Just don't let 'em get out. If I go down, I will bring all of you down with me."

Fact Check: Fake, Trump's audio created using Artificial intelligence

The audio, however, is fake and was created using OpenAI's Sora 2, an artificial-intelligence tool that allows users to create AI-generated videos with sound.

A Facebook video, which was later removed or made private, originally featured the fake Trump phone call audio and showed two watermarks: one from TikTok user @fresh_florida_air and another from Sora 2 user @bradbradt31.

The TikTok account @fresh_florida_air, which has also been removed, previously shared several videos created using Sora 2, including the clip of Trump yelling at staffers that was posted on November 16, 2025.

In a private TikTok message, the @fresh_florida_air user told Snopes, “To clarify, both the visuals and the audio in those videos are fully AI-generated creative elements.

They're fictional concepts created solely for artistic experimentation and social commentary, not real footage, not real recordings, and not representations of actual events or statements. My intent is creative expression, not presenting anything as factual.”

Major military operation marks escalation in the Middle East

The audio surfaced after the United States and partner forces began striking Iranian military targets early Saturday, saying the operation was launched “at the direction of the President of the United States.” 

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated, “The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” as forces attacked targets including Iranian Revolutionary Guard command facilities, missile and drone sites, air defenses, and military airfields.

The operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, marked a major escalation of US and allied military pressure against Tehran.