Vice President JD Vance tried to spin the Jeffrey Epstein scandal on Sunday — and ended up putting more heat on Donald Trump instead.
During a Fox News interview, Vance was asked about the ongoing controversy surrounding Epstein and the release of related documents. Instead of addressing Trump’s ties to Epstein, Vance pointed the finger at Democrats.
“We know that Jeffrey Epstein had a lot connections with left-wing politicians and left-wing billionaires,” Vance said.
“Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time. Who knows what they did?”
That answer didn’t land well, and it quickly blew up online.
Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau fired back: “Donald Trump’s name is in the Epstein files and [Vance] has been plotting with the AG and FBI Director to cover it up. Release the names! Democrats, Republicans, billionaires, or not. What are you afraid of, [Vance]?”
Nicholas Grossman, a professor at the University of Illinois, asked: “Why is Donald Trump protecting left-wing politicians and left-wing billionaires who are associated with Jeffrey Epstein from justice?”
“Why is he hiding that from the American people? “What else must be in the Epstein files that he so badly wants to hide that he’s protecting political opponents to do it?”
Historian Kevin M. Kruse called out the strange logic in Vance’s spin: “The official White House line is now that those dirty Democrats must’ve been hiding some serious dirty about dirty Democrats in the Epstein files and that’s why the much more transparent Republicans won’t release them now and uh Trump might pardon Maxwell too?”
Then came the sarcasm: “The more I think about it, the more I think JD Vance is right. The Epstein files must just have dirt on Democrats, so Republicans have every reason to release them in full. Checkmate, libs.”
Radio host Dean Obeidallah took it further, pointing out Trump’s direct ties to Epstein: “JD Vance wants you to believe only Democrats hung around with Jeffrey Epstein.”
Then he laid out the facts: “In reality Trump was on Epstein’s Lolita Express plane at least 7 times, was caught on video partying with Epstein and said in 2002 in midst of Epstein child sex ring ‘I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy.’”
Instead of clearing the air, Vance’s attempt to shift blame has only renewed scrutiny on Trump’s own Epstein connection — and raised more questions about what the White House might be trying to keep hidden.
Watch Vance’s interview and Jon Favreau’s response below:
JD Vance: "We know that Jeffrey Epstein had a lot connections with left-wing politicians and left-wing billionaires … Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time. Who knows what they did." pic.twitter.com/oxtGduWW3L
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 10, 2025
