White House Fires Back at New Epstein Document Dump
The White House on Wednesday blasted congressional Democrats for releasing what it described as a “selective, bad-faith batch” of Epstein documents — a release that immediately triggered political fallout across Washington. The newly surfaced emails show high-profile journalist Michael Wolff advising Jeffrey Epstein in 2016 on how to attack Donald Trump to gain “political cover” during the presidential election.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not mince words. She called the release “a deliberate distraction from the Democrats’ shutdown debacle” and accused them of pushing a manufactured smear campaign.
According to the White House, the “unnamed victim” referenced in Epstein’s 2011 emails was Virginia Giuffre, who had publicly stated that Trump was never involved in any misconduct, that their interactions were minimal, and that he was “nothing but respectful.” Leavitt also reminded reporters that Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago decades ago after Epstein harassed a young female employee.
“This is a desperate effort to rewrite history,” Leavitt said.
Republicans Accuse Democrats of Withholding Key Names
The GOP response was just as sharp. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee accused Democrats of cherry-picking documents to generate headlines while keeping other names — including prominent Democratic figures — under wraps.
A committee spokesperson put it bluntly: “If they want transparency, release everything. Not just the pieces they think help them politically.”
The political fight erupted less than two hours after Democrats unveiled their latest batch of Epstein records, part of the ongoing bipartisan investigation into Epstein’s network and his connections to influential people across government, academia, finance, and entertainment.
What the Newly Revealed Emails Actually Show
Among the released documents were 2016 email exchanges between Epstein and Michael Wolff — the same Wolff who later wrote the anti-Trump bestsellers Fire and Fury and Siege. The emails reveal Wolff privately encouraging Epstein to lean into anti-Trump messaging as a way to “protect” himself.
Early in 2016, Wolff wrote that both the Clinton campaign and The New York Times were digging into Epstein’s past associations with Trump. Wolff advised Epstein to “preempt the narrative” and reposition himself politically.
Later, Wolff wrote that “becoming an anti-Trump voice gives you a certain political cover which you do not have right now.”
He also warned that James Patterson’s then-upcoming book Filthy Rich — the first major bestseller detailing Epstein’s crimes — would explode in public interest because of the presidential race and the Trump-Clinton dynamic.
Wolff went further, suggesting Epstein could weaponize Trump’s denials for “valuable PR currency.” In one of the more explosive lines, Wolff wrote that if Epstein thought Trump might win, he could “save him,” potentially generating a “debt.”
Wolff Sought Access — And Clinton Questions Reappear
The emails also show Wolff asking Epstein to connect him with figures in Trump’s orbit, including Tom Barrack, who chaired Trump’s inaugural committee. He also sought a link to Kathy Ruemmler, a former Obama White House counsel who had represented several Epstein-connected individuals.
Wolff even asked whether former President Bill Clinton would confirm he had “never been” to Epstein’s private island — a question Clinton has repeatedly denied in public since Epstein’s death.
Epstein and Wolff remained in regular contact through the spring of 2019, just months before Epstein’s final arrest on federal trafficking charges.
Democrats Push DOJ; Republicans Call It a Stunt
Democrats on the Oversight Committee — led by Rep. Robert Garcia — argued the new emails show why the Department of Justice should unseal the rest of the Epstein records. Garcia claimed Trump was attempting to “cover up” Epstein-related information.
Republicans immediately dismissed that claim.
GOP committee leaders called the release “a political stunt” designed to pull attention away from the shutdown fight and shift blame.
But the legislative wheels are turning. The House is preparing to vote on a rare discharge petition that would force the DOJ to release all remaining Epstein files in full. The measure is expected to move forward once newly sworn-in Rep. Adelita Grijalva adds her signature.
The Broader Context — and Why This Release Hit So Hard
Epstein had ties across the political spectrum, from Trump to the Clintons to Prince Andrew, and beyond. He was first convicted in 2008 under a controversial plea deal and was arrested again in 2019 before dying in custody — officially ruled a suicide. Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate, is currently serving a 20-year federal sentence.
While numerous Epstein documents have been released over the years, the Wolff correspondence adds a new layer — showing that one of Trump’s loudest media critics was privately advising Epstein on how to use anti-Trump messaging as a political shield.
That angle has now ignited a fresh round of questions, accusations, and demands for full disclosure from both sides.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
