House Speaker Mike Johnson sparked controversy on Friday after suggesting that Donald Trump had previously acted as an FBI “informant” in the case of Jeffrey Epstein.
Johnson, a close Republican ally of the former president, made the remarks while defending Trump against growing calls for the release of all federal records related to Epstein. He said Trump had cooperated with federal authorities “for decades,” including during the time Epstein was associated with Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
“He’s not saying what Epstein did is a hoax – it’s a terrible, unspeakable evil, and he believes that himself. When he first heard the rumour, he kicked him (Epstein) out of Mar-a-Lago,” Johnson told reporters. “He was an FBI informant trying to take this down. He has great sympathy for the women who have suffered these unspeakable harms.”
Johnson added that he and Trump had discussed the issue “as recently as 24 hours ago.” The White House has not commented on his claims.
Despite Johnson’s defense, Trump has repeatedly rejected bipartisan efforts to force full transparency in the Epstein case, labeling the push a “Democrat hoax” and politically motivated.
Meanwhile, momentum is growing in Congress for legislation to declassify the complete Epstein file. A bipartisan effort led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has already gathered significant support. Massie announced on X that 214 lawmakers had signed his discharge petition – just four short of the 218 needed to bring the bill to the House floor.
“I’m 99% certain we’ll get 218,” Massie wrote, while warning that Speaker Johnson could attempt to change House rules to block the vote. So far, only three other Republicans – Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace – have joined Democrats in signing the petition, CNN reported.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, survivors of Epstein’s crimes have warned they may create their own list of Epstein’s alleged associates. Massie suggested that while such a private list may not surface soon, lawmakers could potentially disclose names on the House floor using congressional immunity.
The debate over Epstein’s ties and Trump’s alleged role as an informant has deepened political divides in Washington, even as pressure mounts from both parties to unseal long-classified documents tied to one of the most notorious scandals in recent U.S. history.
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