Epstein survivors, flanked by a rare bipartisan coalition of lawmakers including Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), delivered raw testimonies at a Capitol Hill press conference, demanding the unsealing of all Epstein files amid White House threats and Trump’s “Democrat hoax” dismissal—highlighting a fight for justice that transcends party lines but risks stalling in a divided Congress.

As victims recounted decades of abuse and cover-ups, the event exposed deep institutional failures, with calls for transparency clashing against political pressures that label supporters as “hostile” to the Trump administration—igniting a battle for accountability that could implicate elites across the spectrum.

Epstein’s survivors deserve justice and Americans deserve transparency. https://t.co/TVi2RmNS4B

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 3, 2025

Why it matters: The Epstein saga reveals elite protections shielding powerful figures, eroding public trust in institutions—if files remain sealed, it perpetuates injustice for hundreds of victims and fuels suspicions of ongoing cover-ups involving donors and leaders.

Driving the news: At the news conference, survivors and lawmakers united to push Massie’s discharge petition for H.R. 24, needing just two more Republican signatures to force a vote on releasing all Epstein-related records.

• Khanna stressed bipartisanship: “We’re here not as partisans, we’re here as patriots… A nation that allows rich and powerful men to traffic and abuse young girls without consequence is a nation that has lost its moral and spiritual core.”
• Massie exposed threats: “White House says helping me secure a vote to release all the Epstein files is a ‘Hostile Act.’ They’re threatening anyone who helps bring true transparency and justice for the survivors.”
• Greene vowed action: “If they want to give me a list, I will walk in that capital on the house floor and I’ll say every damn name that abused these women.”

I’m not afraid to say the names.

Jeffrey Epstein’s cabal of politicians, bureaucrats, and elites who turned a blind eye must be held accountable.

This is the product of past administrations, Republican and Democrat, trying to silence victims.

They deserve justice. And America… pic.twitter.com/3hAnYLJGlr

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) September 3, 2025

These impassioned pleas transition into the broader context of stalled transparency efforts.

Catch up quick: Epstein’s 2019 death in custody left thousands of sealed documents, with partial releases revealing elite ties; Massie’s petition seeks full disclosure, but White House opposition labels it a “hostile act,” echoing Trump’s recent hoax claims despite his past investigative support. This leads into surprising White House pushback.

The intrigue: Amid the push, Epstein victims’ lawyer Bradley Edwards revealed Trump’s 2009 cooperation: “I talked to President Trump back in 2009… he helped me. He got on the phone. He told me things that were helping our investigation… He didn’t treat this as a hoax.” This reversal segues into survivor testimonies.

President Trump helped in 2009! I’m starting to think he’s calling it a hoax because now everybody wants to come forward and release documents and testimony- funny how that works pic.twitter.com/RXDruR4fOB

— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) September 3, 2025

Survivor Stories: Teresa Helm described grooming: “Her voice that day was the same voice that sent me off to a monster… It’s repulsive to sit there and listen to her voice in her interview.” Juliette Bryant honored others: “I speak today not only in service of my own recovery from trauma inflicted by Maxwell and Epstein, but to honour the lives… of Virginia Giuffre, Caroline and Rinao and others who could not continue.” These harrowing accounts lead into broader calls for accountability.

Sky Roberts’ Challenge: Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts confronted Congress: “If you vote no, your stance will be clear. You will be choosing the side of the rich and powerful… Look these survivors in the eye and tell them why. Then look at the people of the United States in the eye and tell them why. Then when you are alone look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself why.” This indictment flows into Trump’s dismissal.

“If you vote no, your stance will be clear… Look these survivors in the eye and tell them why!”

Sky Roberts, brother of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, calls out lawmakers opposing @RepThomasMassie‘s discharge petition. pic.twitter.com/Ew1e5tVXtJ

— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) September 3, 2025

Between the lines: Epstein survivors are compiling a list of abusers to name publicly, exposing the elite network behind the crimes—”Can you imagine how terrifying it would be to name names like that? These are some of the richest, most powerful people in the world that could sue these women into poverty and homelessness,” Greene warned, underscoring the risks victims face in pursuing justice.

What they’re saying:

• “JUST IN: Epstein survivor claims President Trump was Jeffrey Epstein’s “biggest brag” during Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna’s new conference,” Colin Rugg posted on X, demanding full disclosure.
• James Li posted on X saying, “A clear shot across the bow to Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and the rest of the Bills & Johns of the world — you can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape… Justice is coming.”
• “The point is to force just a few more House Republicans to sign Massie’s discharge petition which needs a total of 218 signatures to bypass the bureaucracy and go to vote. This legislation would force disclosure of all files pertaining to Epstein.” Ian Caroll stated on X, urging people to contact their representatives to sign Massie’s discharge petition.

The bottom line: The Epstein files battle lays bare elite corruption and institutional failures—if sealed truths remain hidden amid threats and hoaxes, it betrays victims, shields enablers, and erodes democracy; but survivors’ courage and bipartisan momentum could shatter the cover-up, delivering long-overdue justice and exposing a system rotten at its core.