Fact Check: Is video of massive street protest in NY following release of Epstein files true ?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Following the release of a massive tranche of documents related to the convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein, a video has been circulating on social media platforms claiming to show protests in New York City, sparking speculations with many questioning the authenticity of the clip.
Let us analyze the video's origin and fact-check it.
Claim: Viral video claims to show protest following Epstein files release
The video went viral recently, claiming to show a demonstration in New York after the release of the Epstein files.
The viral video contains two clips: the first shows an aerial view of a massive crowd on the road, and the second shows people demonstrating in front of the Trump Tower, chanting “Shame Shame.”
The video first emerged on Instagram, accompanied by a caption stating, “Peoples Brigade after Epstein Files released in front of TRUMP TOWERS.”
Fact Check: Clips not related to Epstein files release
However, a closer look at the clip reveals that it is not related to the Epstein files.
A reverse image search of the screenshots from the video reveals that the first clip is from an Instagram handle where the clip was uploaded on January 10.
The caption of the video read, “Protesters took to the streets of Los Angeles and Chicago to march against the deployment of National Guard troops, with the event being part of the larger 'No Kings' movement that saw demonstrations across the US.”
The second clip leads to a Facebook page where the viral clip was uploaded on January 18, 2026.
The caption read, “Protesters were seen showing the middle finger toward the name of Donald Trump, using the gesture as a sign of anger and political dissent. The act reflected strong opposition sentiments, with demonstrators expressing frustration over Trump’s policies and leadership, fueling heated debate and reactions both on the streets and online.”
Both the clips predate the release of the new wave of Epstein files by the Department of Justice on January 30.
The latest release of Epstein files
Many such fake claims started to emerge following the release of millions of additional pages of records connected to Epstein.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the release also included more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
The decision came after weeks of criticism that the department was not following a federal law passed in November, which required all Epstein-related files to be made public by December 19.
