Republican Senator Thomas Massie accused the Trump administration of concealing the Epstein files to protect wealthy Republican donors. He claims that some of the names in the files belong to influential figures. Massie argues that this secrecy undermines public trust.
Massie specifically named John Paulson, Paul Singer, and Miriam Adelson, claiming they were running a $2 million ad campaign against him in Kentucky. He shared these allegations in an interview with Newsmax. He described them as part of a broader effort to protect donors from embarrassment.
He clarified that he was only naming the people mentioned in the Epstein files and was not accusing anyone of criminal conduct. Massie emphasized the need for full disclosure to end speculation about influential figures.
Massie said the flight files provided to Congress were extensively redacted. He criticized the Justice Department for protecting influential individuals instead of simply protecting sensitive information about victims. He argued that this selective redaction created political inequality.
Paulson has vehemently denied any connection to Epstein. A spokesperson said Paulson never had contact with Epstein, never visited his properties, or traveled on his plane. The spokesperson called these allegations a futile attempt to suggest a relationship that never existed.
Massie is collaborating with Democratic Representative Ro Khanna on the Epstein Records Transparency Act. This bill aims to make all unclassified documents public, without exceptions for reasons of embarrassment or reputation. According to Democracy Now!, the bill has garnered 216 signatures, and Republicans are currently pushing to reach the required 218 signatures.
Trump has publicly mocked Massie and vowed to oppose him politically. Reports indicate that pro-Trump groups and foreign allies are mobilizing against Massie in response to his calls for disclosure. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is coordinating with his allies to challenge the liberal-leaning congressman.
Massie claims that the three billionaires behind the ad campaign—Paulson, Singer, and Adelson—are the “largest donors” to the Trump campaign, the Speaker of the House, the Republican National Committee, and the Republican National Committee. Federal Election Commission data shows that the MAGA KY political action committee received $2 million in initial contributions after its launch in late June.
He explained that his legislation still protects victims’ identifiable information. He emphasized the importance of public disclosure so that billionaires cannot escape scrutiny, while the general public risks being held accountable. Massie called the current system unfair and opaque.
Massie added that the redactions prevent the public from knowing about influential people linked to Epstein. He insisted that transparency is essential to democracy and accountability. The senator said that releasing the files without redactions is the only solution.
He also shared information on social media, including posts on the Zeteo platform, highlighting the political pressure he is facing from wealthy donors. Massie’s online statements reinforce his call for transparency and demonstrate public interest in these files.
The Epstein files remain at the heart of the current political debate. Massie argues that these documents reveal much more than just the names of individuals; they reveal how wealth and political influence can influence judicial decisions. He warns that without full disclosure, public trust in the government is threatened.
Critics of Massie’s position argue that releasing all the documents could compromise victims’ privacy. Massie counters that his bill balances privacy protections with the public’s right to know. He argues that the government should not withhold information simply to protect its reputation.
This controversy has sparked broader debates in Congress and the media about the role of major donors in American politics. Massie maintains that the public deserves to know about the Epstein connection and why some information is being withheld.
Representatives for Paulson, Singer, Adelson, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. Their silence leaves key allegations and public denials unaddressed, fueling speculation and raising concerns about the accountability of government oversight.