Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse spoke out on Capitol Hill, urging U.S. lawmakers to release the investigation into the late financier’s sex trafficking activities and challenging President Donald Trump’s dismissal of the issue as a “hoax.”
During a press conference on the Capitol lawn attended by hundreds of supporters chanting “release the files,” the women revealed how they were lured into Epstein’s abuse by his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. They called for transparency and accountability from the Trump administration regarding the suffering they endured as teenagers.
Ashley Rubright, a self-proclaimed survivor of Epstein and Maxwell, emphasized that the issue is not about politics but rather the need for justice. She criticized the adult enablers who ignored the abuse happening behind closed doors.
As the debate over the disclosure of the Epstein files intensified in Washington, lawmakers clashed on how to address the situation, while Trump labeled it a “Democrat hoax.” Despite Trump’s stance, the survivors and some congressional allies disagreed, emphasizing that their trauma is real and urging Trump to support their cause.
Epstein, who died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while facing charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls, had previously reached a lenient plea deal with prosecutors in Florida. Survivors like Marina Lacerda, who met Epstein at a young age, shared harrowing experiences of exploitation and manipulation, stressing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, breaking ranks with party leadership, supported a bill demanding the release of Justice Department information on Epstein to combat sexual predation. Despite resistance from House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House, Greene and other Republicans persisted in their efforts to secure justice for the survivors.
While the White House warned against pushing for the release of files, survivors like Jess Michaels viewed this moment as a crucial opportunity to seek long-overdue justice and accountability for the atrocities committed by Epstein.