Contrary to previous statements, Trump is now holding back on Bill Clinton.Image: keystone
Three days after the publication of thousands of investigation files into the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, US President Donald Trump made a lengthy statement about it for the first time and again accused the Democrats.
Dec 23, 2025, 04:27Dec 23, 2025, 04:27
It was noticeable that Trump did not continue his previous violent attacks against former US President Bill Clinton. When asked by a journalist whether he was surprised by the numerous photos in the investigation files depicting Democrat Clinton, Trump said:
«I don’t like the pictures of Bill Clinton that are being shown. I don’t like other people’s pictures that are shown. I think that’s a terrible thing.”
Late on Friday afternoon, after massive pressure from the public and the US Parliament, the US Department of Justice uploaded thousands of files to its website, with more to follow. The release came on the last day of a deadline imposed on the ministry. Clinton appeared in many of the photos released.
But he thinks Clinton can handle it, Trump said. He always got along well with him. The US president also said he hates seeing photos of Clinton now, but that’s exactly what the Democrats and a few “bad” Republicans are demanding.
Trump went on to say that many people were upset. Photos of people who had nothing to do with Epstein were shown in photos because he was at the same party. This is how you destroy people’s reputations.
That’s why the Epstein files are so explosive
For years, multimillionaire Epstein from New York ran an abuse ring that victimized dozens of young women and minors. The case dates back decades. He is said to have abused minors himself over several years in New York and Florida. In 2019, Epstein died in prison at the age of 66, before any further sentencing could have taken place.
The financier had excellent contacts in high society, which led to numerous speculations about the scope of the scandal. The question arose again and again as to which prominent figures might have been involved in Epstein’s machinations. A month ago, the law finally ordered the publication of the files, which Trump had long resisted.
Clinton can be found very often in the files
Some celebrities appear in the photos that have now been published. In addition to rock star Mick Jagger, pop king Michael Jackson, who died in 2009, and actor Kevin Spacey, ex-President Clinton is photographed relatively often. He repeatedly appears in photos – for example, swimming in the pool with Epstein’s long-time confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. In other recordings he is seen without reference to her or Epstein.
Trump has repeatedly tried to draw attention to Clinton in recent weeks. He claimed that he was on one of Epstein’s private islands. Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles contradicted this account: “There is no evidence of this,” she told Vanity Fair magazine. It remained unclear why Trump now adopted a milder tone towards Clinton and did not repeat these accusations.
Clinton spokesman Angel Urena released a statement on Platform X calling on Trump to order the Justice Department to immediately release remaining material that refers to, mentions or contains a photo of Clinton. A refusal would raise the suspicion that the ministry is not interested in transparency. Rather, through selective publications, it is intended to suggest wrongdoing on the part of individual people. (sda/dpa)