Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky publicly pushed back on President Donald Trump’s recent statement that the renewed focus on Jeffrey Epstein is just a political “hoax.” Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Massie pointed to serious developments abroad as evidence that the scandal is very real.
He highlighted the British government’s sudden dismissal of Peter Mandelson, the U.K.’s ambassador to the United States, after emails and letters revealed he had a far closer and more sympathetic relationship with Epstein than had been acknowledged before.
Massie argued that this alone undermines Trump’s claim. “If it’s a hoax, why did the British government just fire their ambassador to the United States?” he asked. “It’s because more is coming out on the Epstein files and they see what’s coming down the pike.”
Together with Democrat Ro Khanna of California, Massie has introduced the *Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation would require the Department of Justice to release all of its Epstein-related records to the public, while still protecting the identities of victims.
To make sure the bill gets a vote in the House of Representatives despite resistance from congressional leadership the two lawmakers have begun a bipartisan discharge petition. If 218 members sign it, the petition forces a vote regardless of leadership’s position.
As of now, Massie said they are extremely close, with 216 signatures already collected—just two short of the number required. Epstein survivors have strongly rallied behind the push. At a recent press conference, several came forward alongside Massie and Khanna to voice their support. They insisted that only full transparency will bring real accountability for Epstein’s crimes and the powerful network of people who enabled him.
