Trump slams ‘fake news’ over talk about Epstein probe: ‘You’re a terrible reporter’
Reporter: “Representative Massie says he’s concerned the Epstein probe you’re calling for could be a smokescreen to block the release of more files. Could that be the case?”
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) November 16, 2025
President Trump: “Well, I don’t want to talk about it because Fake News like you — you're a terrible… pic.twitter.com/2TouxNsaIE
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump took aim at a “fake news” reporter on Sunday, November 16, after being questioned about the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein files.
Trump grew irritated when a reporter pressed him about Representative Thomas Massie, one of the rebel Republicans leading the charge to release the Epstein files.
Donald Trump mocks Thomas Massie as ‘Rand Paul Jr'
A reporter asked Trump, “Representative Massie says he’s concerned the Epstein probe you’re calling for could be a smokescreen to block the release of more files. Could that be the case?”
Trump, visibly annoyed, replied, “Well, I don’t want to talk about it because Fake News like you — you’re a terrible reporter. They just keep bringing it up to deflect from the tremendous success of the Trump administration.”
He continued, “His poll numbers are showing he’s at 6 percent approval right now. We call him Rand Paul Jr because he never votes with the Republican Party.”
Massie said on Sunday that more than 100 House Republicans could break from President Trump and vote for the release of the documents. During ABC’s This Week, Massie said, “I think we could have a deluge of Republicans. There could be 100 or more. I’m hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.”
The House could take up the measure as early as Tuesday, November 18.
Rep. Massie says that he expects a “deluge” of House Republicans will vote to compel the release of the Epstein files: “I’ve never said these documents will implicate Donald Trump. I think he’s trying to protect a bunch of rich and powerful friends.” https://t.co/DVClWBcAj0 pic.twitter.com/fPhMYOYabf
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 16, 2025
Massie also noted that he has gained growing bipartisan support for his discharge petition with Representative Ro Khanna, calling the momentum a significant win over resistance from the House speaker, the attorney general, and other Trump administration officials.
He argued that Trump’s opposition is driven less by principle and more by loyalty to wealthy and influential allies. Massie said he believes the President is “trying to protect a bunch of rich and powerful friends, billionaires, donors to his campaign, friends in his social circles."
Thomas Massie predicts a defining GOP vote on Epstein files
Massie urged fellow Republicans to consider the long-term stakes of voting with Trump against transparency. “I would remind my Republican colleagues who are deciding how to vote: Donald Trump can protect you in red districts right now by giving you an endorsement. But in 2030 he’s not going to be the president, and you will have voted to protect,” he said.
He added that the vote will be a defining moment for lawmakers, one that will outlast Trump’s political influence.
While the House is expected to approve the bill, its fate in the Senate remains unclear. Even if it passes the upper chamber, the legislation would require the President’s signature — unless Massie’s prediction of a veto-proof House majority holds. Reaching that threshold would require nearly 290 votes if all members are present, a target Massie believes is within reach.
Beyond the immediate vote count, Massie’s push to unlock the remaining Epstein files has injected new tension into internal GOP politics and placed added scrutiny on Trump’s stance.
