After previously brushing off the Jeffrey Epstein scandal as a partisan ploy by Democrats, House Speaker Mike Johnson is now acknowledging what many have long believed: the Epstein case isn’t a hoax — it’s real.
“It’s not a hoax. Of course not,” Johnson said in an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, when asked whether he thought Epstein’s crimes — and the public’s obsession with them — were exaggerated.
His comments mark a clear break from Donald Trump, who has repeatedly tried to downplay the scandal and discourage his base from digging further. Trump has labeled it a “hoax” and claimed Democrats are using it to damage him politically.
“We want full transparency. We want everybody who is involved in any way with the Epstein evils — let’s call it what it was — to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. We want the full weight of the law on their heads,” Johnson told CBS’ Major Garrett.
“I have the same concern and question that a lot of people do,” Johnson admitted when asked about the findings from the DOJ and FBI.
Trump, meanwhile, is pushing the opposite message. Just last week on Truth Social, he lashed out at those continuing to focus on Epstein, calling it “the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” and saying, “My PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker.”
The Justice Department’s official review concluded that Epstein had no “client list” and died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for child sex trafficking. But the public isn’t convinced — and that doubt is now reaching Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, a small group of Republicans joined Democrats to vote in favor of subpoenaing the Justice Department for the Epstein files.
Still, Johnson and other GOP leaders have blocked a full House vote to force the release of those materials. Earlier this week, Johnson accused Democrats of playing “political games” and abruptly ended the House’s workweek early, sending lawmakers home for summer recess as the pressure around the case continued to grow.
Watch the clip below from CBS News:
