House Democrats on Friday released additional photographs from Epstein’s estate showing Trump alongside other prominent figures, including Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon and Richard Branson. None of the individuals pictured has been accused of wrongdoing by law enforcement, and the associations have long been publicly known.
More notable than the images, however, was a Reuters-Ipsos poll measuring public belief about Trump’s knowledge of Epstein’s activities.
The poll asked whether Americans believed it was likely that Trump did not know about Epstein’s alleged crimes beforehand. Only 18% said it was somewhat or very likely Trump was unaware. Sixty percent said it was not likely at all that Trump didn’t know, a margin of roughly three to one suggesting public belief that Trump knew something.
Among Republicans, opinions were divided. Thirty-nine percent said Trump was probably aware, while 34% leaned toward him not knowing.
Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing in the Epstein case and has denied involvement.
Earlier polling shows similar skepticism. A Yahoo News–YouGov survey conducted in July found 48% of Americans believed Trump not only knew about Epstein’s crimes but had participated in criminal activity with him. Twenty-four percent said they did not believe this, while the remainder were undecided.
Even within the Republican Party, only 55% rejected the allegation outright. Thirteen percent believed Trump had committed crimes with Epstein, and about one-third said they were unsure.
Taken together, the polls suggest that a large majority of Americans remain open to the possibility that Trump had knowledge of Epstein’s activities, even in the absence of direct evidence linking him to criminal conduct.
The findings come ahead of a Justice Department deadline to provide Epstein-related materials to Congress next Friday. Analysts say repeated references to Trump in documents or images could carry political consequences, even without proof of wrongdoing.
The White House has dismissed the release of photos and emails by House Oversight Committee Democrats as a “Democrat hoax,” saying the materials “prove absolutely nothing” and asserting the administration has done more for Epstein’s victims than Democrats.
Polling questions did not specify what crimes respondents believed Trump may have known about, which analysts say may reflect broader public distrust of powerful figures. Similar patterns have appeared in past surveys. During the 2024 campaign, a majority of voters said they believed Trump had committed serious federal crimes, even before his indictments.
There is no conclusive evidence that Trump knew of or participated in Epstein’s crimes. However, critics point to Trump’s past statements about Epstein, shifting accounts of their relationship, and disclosures regarding Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell recruiting a minor at Mar-a-Lago.
Emails attributed to Epstein and released in recent months include claims that Trump knew about Epstein’s activities, though those claims have not been independently verified.
With days remaining before the Justice Department’s disclosure deadline, polling suggests public skepticism toward Trump remains high — a dynamic that could intensify depending on what the documents contain.