Ro Khanna claims Epstein records at core of Trump's controversial actions

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Ro Khanna appeared on MS NOW’s 'Morning Joe' on Friday, January 23, weighing in on growing speculation that President Donald Trump's recent domestic and foreign policy moves are deliberate diversions.

The California Democrat suggested that Trump’s aggressive posture on Greenland and the federal crackdown in Minneapolis were designed to shift attention away from the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files.

Khanna, who co-sponsored the bipartisan legislation with Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) requiring the Justice Department to release the Epstein records by December 19, 2025, said that the controversy had become a central pressure point for the White House.

He warned that continued delays were creating visible tensions within Trump’s own political base.

Joe Rogan claims chaos meant to distract from Epstein files

The exchange was prompted by remarks from podcaster Joe Rogan earlier in the week. Rogan argued that the turbulence surrounding the administration - pointing to Trump’s Greenland threats and the deployment of federal agents to Minneapolis - were “all meant to simply distract from the Epstein files.”

Host Joe Scarborough pressed Khanna on the theory. “Do you believe that?” Scarborough asked, referencing Rogan’s claim that events “all over the country and world” were being used as diversions.

Trump's actions driven by Epstein concerns

Ro Khanna offered a measured response, agreeing in part while noting that the president’s actions could have multiple motivations. He said the Epstein controversy stood out as the issue most likely to unsettle Trump politically.

“You know, I think there’s something more sinister in terms of just conquering other lands and taking away Americans’ freedoms,” Khanna said. “But I do think that the Epstein issue is what most concerns Donald Trump.”

He argued that the president understood how damaging the unreleased files could be if they implicated powerful figures.

Ro Khanna cites Trump supporter's sharp criticism

Khanna pointed to reactions from conservative media audiences to illustrate the political fallout. He recounted a recent appearance on the 'Shawn Ryan Show', where the host - described by Khanna as a “huge Trump supporter” - voiced regret over the administration’s handling of the files.

“He said he would never have voted for Trump if he knew that Trump was going to protect pedophiles,” Khanna claimed. He added that he had heard a similar concern from a self-described Trump voter in Michigan, a factory worker in his 40s, who asked, “Mr President, why are you protecting pedophiles?”

Ro Khanna says controversy undermines Trump's elites pledge

Khanna said that the controversy had “broken into the culture” because it cut against Trump’s promise to “hold the elites accountable.” He accused the administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, of doing the opposite by withholding records tied to influential figures.

“So I do think he wants this off the front pages,” Khanna said. He added that the strategy had backfired. “He’s taken a 2025 story and made it a 2026 story because the only thing that is going to get this off the front page is if they release all the files.”

Scarborough agreed, responding, “Well, it’s something we’ve been saying here for a very long time.”