Fact Check: Did Trump threaten war or starvation to hide Epstein files?

Viral TikTok clips claiming Donald Trump plotted extreme moves to keep Epstein files hidden spread widely

PUBLISHED NOV 20, 2025

A TikTok video claimed Donald Trump wanted to stop Epstein files by extreme means (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: A clip about President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein has been racing across social media, and many users have been treating it as real. The circulating claim suggests that a recording shows Trump discussing plans to start a war or let Americans starve to prevent the release of the Epstein files.

The videos originated on TikTok and quickly gained traction. For months, content linking Trump to Epstein has repeatedly resurfaced online, and these clips added even more fuel to the fire. The question is simple: is any of this real?

Here’s what the evidence shows.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 22: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Marcos are expected to discuss trade tariffs, increasing security cooperation in the face of China’s growing maritime power in the West Philippine Sea and other topics. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Donald Trump delivered remarks during a meeting with Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House in July 2025 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Claim: AI-generated audio alleged Donald Trump threatened war or starvation

The claim began with a TikTok video traced by Lead Stories to the account fresh_florida_air. It was posted during the government shutdown on November 5, 2025. The video included an on-screen caption that read, Trump and his cabinet on a recent call.

In the audio, a Trump-like voice said, “I don’t f***ing care how long this shutdown lasts. We will not lose to the Democrats. We will not release the Epstein files. I don’t care if the entire country starves. SNAP benefits can go to—” before the audio cut off.

TikTok account shared Donald Trump Video (@fresh_florida_air/X) — The fresh_florida_air TikTok account posted the viral Donald Trump clip (@fresh_florida_air/X)

A second version of the clip appeared on another TikTok account, @bradbradt31, on November 16, 2025. This version showed a text transcript rather than audio. It read, “Not releasing the Epstein files. F*** Marjorie Taylor Greene. I don’t care what you do. Start a f***ing war. Just don’t let them get out. If I go down, I will bring all of you down with me.”

Neither video included any visual evidence of Trump speaking. Even so, the clips spread rapidly, fueled by speculation and political tension during the shutdown.

Friend of Presidents, the ultra-rich and the elite of Wall Street's bankers Jeff Epstein remains an enigma to many in the world of finance despite handling portfolio's estimated to be worth over $15 billion. (Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images) — Jeffrey Epstein remained a controversial figure in global finance before his death (Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)

Fact Check: Donald Trump never threatened war or starvation over Epstein files

There is no credible reporting to support the claims made in these videos. No major news outlet—including Fox News, BBC, Mediaite, New York Post, People, or The Washington Post—has reported anything suggesting Trump made such remarks. Even at the height of the shutdown, no legitimate source indicated Trump attempted to block the release of Epstein files.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 23: U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on January 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump signed a range of executive orders pertaining to issues including crypto currency, Artificial Intelligence, and clemency for anti-abortion activists. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) — Donald Trump held up a signed executive order in the Oval Office in January 2025 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A closer look at the clips reveals a Sora watermark, meaning the audio and transcript were AI-generated. Whether the second TikTok account is linked to the first remains unknown.

While Trump has publicly referred to the Epstein files as a Democratic “hoax” and accused Democrats of trying to politically target him, he has never talked about starting a war or allowing the country to starve.

Sora watermark, indicating it was created with OpenAI’s generative AI tool (@bradbradt31/X) — The viral clip showed a Sora watermark indicating AI-generated content (@bradbradt31/X)

In fact, Trump signed legislation on November 19 allowing the remaining Epstein files to be made public. He has repeatedly said he has nothing to hide and denied any personal connection to Epstein.