Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have accused Trump of links to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking network and alleged that his administration’s Justice Department has sought to conceal evidence, intensifying pressure for accountability as the November 3 midterm elections approach.
A report prepared by Democratic staff on the committee alleges that evidence connects Trump to Epstein through 11 women, while five women have accused Trump of rape or sexual assault in circumstances involving Epstein during the 1990s.
One allegation concerns a Swiss woman who claims she was raped at the Plaza Hotel in 1993.
The report also accuses the Justice Department of obstructing investigations and withholding evidence, prompting Democrats to call for the appointment of an independent special counsel.
The findings, however, were prepared by Democratic minority staff and do not represent an official determination by the full committee or a judicial ruling.
The allegations have renewed political pressure on the Trump administration over its handling of the Epstein case, with Democrats pledging to pursue further investigations if they win control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Democrats believe the administration has failed to take adequate action and release relevant documents.
Robert Garcia, a member of the House Oversight Committee, said investigating the Epstein case would be a priority for Democrats, emphasizing the need to release records and secure justice for victims.
Meanwhile, the controversy has also spilled into public events involving Trump.
During one of his speeches, a woman wearing a T-shirt bearing the words “Release the Epstein Files” was reportedly assaulted by attendees before security personnel also attacked her and removed her from the gathering.
The incident has added to scrutiny of the treatment of people demanding transparency over the case, as the Epstein scandal increasingly features in the political debate surrounding the midterm elections.
According to a CNN analysis, candidates and outside groups have aired more than 160 different advertisements related to Epstein during the 2026 election cycle, spending more than $35 million on their distribution.
Despite years of public demands for answers, the case had not occupied a prominent position in the election campaign until this year.
Polling conducted in the spring showed that majorities of voters from both US political parties believed the Epstein documents demonstrated how powerful individuals rarely face accountability for their actions.
The extent to which the controversy will influence the midterm results remains uncertain, but the growing volume of campaign advertising and renewed calls for investigations indicate that the issue has become a significant point of political contention.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender and American financier, became the central figure in one of the country’s most controversial criminal cases, involving allegations of sexual abuse of underage girls, relationships with wealthy and influential figures, and persistent questions about the circumstances of his death in custody.
Born in 1953, Epstein built a fortune in finance and developed an extensive network of connections across political, business and social circles, bringing him into contact with prominent figures whose associations with him later attracted intense public scrutiny.
On August 10, 2019, Epstein was found unconscious in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, New York, and was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
His death was officially ruled a suicide, although questions and speculation about the circumstances have continued to fuel public controversy.