Ghosts from the past

Trump can't shake Epstein

Add Reuters to Your Google Preferred Sources Politics U.S. Politics U.S. By Trevor Hunnicutt, White House Correspondent The Justice Department's release last Friday of millions of new files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did little to end one of the hardest-to-shake controversies of Donald Trump's second term. Why is a man who has been dead more than six years still haunting the president? Latest U.S. politics headlines Exclusive: Justice Department unit on police misconduct sees staffing plunge and probes scaled back, sources say  Exclusive: US spy chief's office investigated voting machines in Puerto Rico  Exclusive: US Senators unveil bill to prevent scam ads on social media platforms  Trump's call to 'nationalize' elections draws furious pushback from Democrats  The heavy reality of Venezuela's oil: Massive reserves, but not all crude is created equal.  Shrug, deny, pivot, attack. That's how Trump reacted on Tuesday when pressed on his administration's handling of the Epstein document dump.  In the Oval Office, he shrugged his shoulders, denied that the papers amounted to much, shifted focus to other issues and, finally, attacked CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins for asking questions about the government's treatment of victims – and for not smiling.  "I think it's really time for the country to get on to something else," Trump said.  We've been asking allies of the president what to make of the administration's varying responses to the Epstein scandal.  Few think voters in the midterm elections nine months from now are going to pick their local representatives based on the latest file dump – voters are preoccupied with how much day-to-day life costs.   The president's own political base has so far shown no signs of defecting. Trump stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein before he returned to the White House last year, and prominent supporters had accused his administration of a cover-up.  But in recent months, the White House has successfully enforced message discipline in the MAGA media sphere. Congressional Republicans have shifted focus on the Epstein issue to Democratic former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee. So, what is it that irritates Trump about this topic? One reason is his frustration that what he sees as a winning message for midterms – cheap gas, a rising stock market, low unemployment – is getting drowned out by this and other issues.  "Maybe I have bad public relations people, but we're not getting it across," Trump told me and other reporters last month at a press conference marking his first year in office. "I don't like to do this, to be honest with you, but I do it because - gotta get the word out."  The president views television as a vehicle to combat his political problems. It's his way to bypass the messenger – the "bad" staff, the "fake" news – and speak directly to the people. When reporters bring the conversation back to Epstein, it's a public challenge to his authority. One he needs to win to avoid quickly becoming a lame duck.    Poll of the week: ICE's efforts to address unauthorized immigration...   Follow Reuters/Ipsos polling on the president's approval ratings here. The view from London It's not just a Washington story. Elites around the country and world are seeing their reputations shredded by Epstein file disclosures.  In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces one of the biggest political scandals in recent memory over his appointment of Epstein-linked Peter Mandelson as a onetime ambassador to the U.S.  The new document dump included emails suggesting Mandelson leaked government documents to Epstein, and that Epstein recorded payments to Mandelson. Mandelson quit the House of Lords on Tuesday and is now under police investigation. He denies wrongdoing.  Starmer on Thursday sought to assuage anger from across British politics, including from some in his own Labour Party, saying he was sorry he had believed Mandelson's "lies" before appointing him.  Photo of the week   U.S. President Donald Trump sits after signing a bill to end the partial government shutdown, while Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) bends towards him, as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) look on, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 3, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein What to watch for February 6: Vice President JD Vance, on Europe trip, attends Milano Cortina Winter Games  February 8: Trump interview airs during NBC's Super Bowl LX pregame show  February 9: Court hearing over ex-CNN journalist Don Lemon's arrest  The who, what and when Actions Trump has taken to reshape American historical sites and cultural bodies  What does a law protecting abortion clinics have to do with Don Lemon?  Five things to know about Kevin Warsh, Trump's 'central casting' Fed chair pick    Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website   Reuters Politics U.S. is sent once a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here. Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you’ve engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement. Terms & Conditions   © 2026 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036