Poll: Epstein Files
This Navigator Research report covers Americans’ views of the Epstein files, including on the share who disapprove of President Trump’s handling of it, Americans’ desire for increased accountability, and their belief the government is engaged in a cover-up.
Epstein Files and Tariff News Dominate Trump’s Negatives
Americans are still hearing about the Epstein files – and their reaction is overwhelmingly negative. Among the 77% of Americans who report either hearing mostly negative or mixed things about President Trump in the last few days, the Epstein files, along with tariff-related news, stand out.
Few See Trump Handling Epstein Files Well
Less than three-in-10 Americans approve of how Trump is handling the Epstein files (28% approve – 60% disapprove). Among independents, two-thirds (67%) disapprove while just 13% approve – a 54-point gap. Since Navigator last asked Americans this question in early December, disapproval among independents has moved up 13 points (54% of independents disapproved in December).
More than a quarter of Republicans disapprove of how Trump is handling the Epstein files (28% disapprove). While 73% of MAGA Republicans approve, just 37% of non-MAGA Republicans approve, a 36-point difference.
Nearly six-in-10 Americans say it is likely President Trump committed crimes connected to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein (59%). Only around a quarter say this is “not likely” (28%). While just 17% of MAGA Republicans say Trump likely committed a crime connected to his relationship with Epstein, 50% of non-MAGA Republicans say it is likely Trump committed an Epstein-related crime – and only three-in-10 non-MAGA Republicans say this is not likely (32%). Among Republicans overall, a full third say Trump likely committed a crime connected to his relationship with Epstein (33%).
The Trump Administration is Not Trusted on the Epstein Files
Americans want more attention on the Epstein files. Over half say the Epstein files have received “not enough attention” (54%), while just one-third say they have gotten “too much attention” (36%). When asked if they believe the Epstein files have received too much attention from the Trump administration specifically, Americans are 10 points less likely to say the Epstein files have received too much attention (36% say too much attention – 26% say too much attention from the Trump administration).
- Among independent voters, this goes from a 17-point split in favor of more attention on the Epstein files generally (31% say too much attention – 48% say not enough attention), to a 48-point split in favor of more attention from the Trump administration (12% say too much attention from the Trump administration – 60% say not enough attention from the Trump administration).
Accountability, Cover-Up, and Conspiracy
A strong majority of Americans believe the government is covering up additional Epstein-related wrongdoing. 73% percent of Americans say the government is covering up additional wrongdoing, including 50% who say this is “definitely” the case.
Likewise, Americans overwhelmingly want more accountability for the Epstein files. Nearly three-in-four say there should be more prosecutions and investigations into people associated with Epstein (72%), compared to just 17% who say there has been enough accountability and that it is time to move on – a 55-point gap. This feeling extends across partisanship, as solid majorities of Democrats (83%), Republicans (62%), and independents (70%) all say there should be more prosecutions and investigations.
Americans view the Epstein files as part of a broader problem with elites. About two-thirds of Americans say Epstein’s crimes are unsurprising and the result of powerful people and elites thinking they are above the law and immune to punishment (64%), compared to a quarter who say Epstein’s crimes are not a grand conspiracy and that it would be dangerous to assume every powerful person he dealt with is a criminal (26%). This feeling sticks across partisanship:
- Democrats: 77% say Epstein’s crimes are the unsurprising result of broader problem (net +60)
- Independents: 66% say Epstein’s crimes are the unsurprising result of broader problem (net +48)
- Republicans: 49% say Epstein’s crimes are the unsurprising result of broader problem (net +10)
Americans Want Trump Officials Connected to Epstein to Resign, Especially When Informed About Accountability Abroad
Overall, six-in-10 Americans say Trump administration officials connected to Jeffrey Epstein should resign. When including the context that in “some other countries, public officials have been investigated, fired, or arrested after being linked to Epstein, including the former British ambassador to the U.S., Norway’s former prime minister, and more,” closer to seven-in-10 Americans are supportive of resignations. This shift is particularly strong among Republicans. Without international context, Republicans are divided on whether Trump officials connected to Epstein should resign (37% resign – 38% not resign). With this context, Republicans are 16 points more likely to say these officials should resign (49% resign – 33% not resign).
