A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that nearly two-thirds of Americans, including more than half of Republicans, believe the Trump administration is concealing information about the death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The survey, conducted among 4,434 U.S. adults from December 3 to 8, found that 62% of respondents hold this view.
The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Epstein died in August 2019 while in federal custody, where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges; his death was ruled a suicide.
That view was shared by 56% of Republicans. Additionally, 70% of respondents stated that the government is hiding information about individuals involved in Epstein’s trafficking of teenage girls, with 62% of Republicans expressing this concern.
Investigative files related to Epstein have become a focal point for President Donald Trump’s base, sparking criticism within the MAGA movement over what supporters view as a lack of transparency by the administration.
Bipartisan legislation requiring the Justice Department to release files related to its investigations into Epstein cleared both houses of Congress last month and was signed by Trump on November 19. The law gives the DOJ 30 days to release its Epstein-related records.
Since the law’s passage, the DOJ has asked federal courts to unseal records long shielded by grand jury secrecy rules, citing the new statutory mandate. Judges in Florida and New York have ordered the release of grand jury transcripts and related investigative materials, and the DOJ is expected to make additional disclosures by December 19, though some records might be partially redacted under the law’s privacy protections.
The poll showed that disapproval among Trump’s base over his administration’s handling of the files has declined. Fewer than a quarter (23%) said they approved of Trump’s handling of the scandal. More than half (53%) of Republicans approved, up from 44% last month.
President Trump’s overall approval rating among Republicans stands at 85%. Only 18% of respondents said they believe Trump was unaware of Epstein’s crimes during their past association, including 34% of Republicans.
Trump has maintained he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and has stated that he cut ties with Epstein before he pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
