President Donald Trump moved to defuse escalating political fallout over newly released Jeffrey Epstein records on Monday, publicly defending Bill Clinton while warning that selective disclosure of Epstein-related files could damage the reputations of people who "innocently met" the financier decades ago.
Speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Trump addressed photographs resurfacing in files released by the U.S. Department of Justice that show Clinton alongside Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Asked about the images, Trump said, "Bill Clinton is a big boy, he can handle it."
Trump framed the controversy as a broader warning about reputational harm, saying, "But you probably have pictures being exposed of other people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago, many years ago." He added, "I don't like the pictures of Bill Clinton being shown, I don't like the pictures of other people being shown. I think it's a terrible thing."
The comments marked a notable shift in tone from Trump, who had previously dismissed the Epstein files as a "Democratic hoax." At Mar-a-Lago, he argued the renewed focus on Epstein was politically motivated, saying the episode was meant "to distract from the humongous success the Republican Party has had."
The disclosures stem from bipartisan legislation mandating release of Epstein-related records, a bill Trump signed into law. The files, released last week, triggered renewed scrutiny of Epstein's social network and reignited debate over how transparency laws should balance public interest with due process.
Clinton's camp responded forcefully to the rollout. Angela Urena, a spokesperson for Clinton, accused the Justice Department of selective disclosure designed to harm Clinton while shielding others. In a statement posted on X, Urena said, "Someone or something, is being protected. We do not know whom, what, or why. But we do know this: We need no such protection."
Urena called for the immediate release of all remaining Epstein-related material involving Clinton, including photographs, transcripts, and interview notes, and urged Pam Bondi to authorize full disclosure. Clinton, she said, has asked that "all the remaining records about him" be published to dispel claims of preferential treatment.
The newly released photographs include images of Clinton at Epstein's properties, including one showing Maxwell and a young woman in a pool. Clinton has previously acknowledged social contact with Epstein but has denied any wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been brought against him.
