Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News anchor, told Vanity Fair that Donald Trump directly ordered his administration to conceal millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. Carlson said he urged the president in the summer of 2025 to release the files, but Trump was reluctant and, according to Carlson, gave a long emotional explanation that the matter was a plot against him.
When pressed on what Trump said, Carlson reported that the president’s order to cover up the documents came from Trump himself. Carlson recalled that Trump described the situation as a “plot against him, like Russiagate,” and that he felt no need to hide Epstein’s records.
After a prolonged debate with Congress, which drafted legislation to compel the Department of Justice to publish the files, Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act late last year. The Justice Department released millions of documents, many of which reference Trump’s social interactions with Epstein during the 1990s and 2000s. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and insists he cut ties with Epstein before the investigation.
The White House responded to the claim by citing a Truth Social post in which Trump called Carlson “stupid” and “a broken man.” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said Trump has been “totally exonerated” on any Epstein‑related matters and highlighted his cooperation with congressional subpoenas and calls for further investigations. The issue remains a political liability for Vice‑Presidential candidate J.D. Vance, who and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles warn could affect the 2028 election, especially among new voters who are “inordinately interested” in Epstein’s case.
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