Why Trump tried to hide Epstein files
The gist
House Judiciary Democrats released a report accusing Trump of being an "active participant" in Epstein's abuse of young women.
The report, out eight days before midterms, also alleges a DOJ cover-up and seeks a special counsel.
How it unfolded
- Nov 1993Beatrice Keul told lawmakers Trump "violently raped" her at a pageant at the Plaza Hotel; she was 24 and said Trump promised to arrange a visa for her.
- 1994Jill Harth told lawmakers Trump aggressively pursued and sexually assaulted her at a Mar-a-Lago party where she said Trump and Epstein were the only men present.
- Jul 2025Reports emerged that White House officials helped draft the FBI/DOJ memo that shut down future Epstein-related investigations, declaring no client list and no punishable co-conspirators.