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White House Denies Affair Rumors in Latest Epstein Document Release
The White House has firmly rejected allegations contained in text messages between Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon that suggested President Donald Trump had an affair with a former aide during his first term. The messages were part of a massive document release by the Department of Justice last Friday under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“This is a salacious and false rumor that has been proven to be fiction,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Newsweek on Monday, addressing the renewed speculation.
The aide in question, Madeleine Westerhout, who served as Trump’s secretary and director of Oval Office operations until 2019, has also categorically denied the allegations. When similar claims surfaced in a previous batch of Epstein files released last year, Westerhout told The Mirror the rumors were “absurd and defamatory” and completely untrue.
The latest document dump from the Justice Department comprises over 3 million pages, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The release comes in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed into law in November 2025.
In the newly released text exchanges from December 2018 and January 2019, Epstein asked Bannon about Westerhout, whom Bannon described as the “receptionist” and a “good kid.” The conversation then took a suggestive turn, with Epstein making claims about Trump’s personal life and implying a relationship with Westerhout, prompting Bannon to respond with apparent surprise.
The allegations first emerged in 2019 when Trump biographer Michael Wolff sent an email to Epstein suggesting inappropriate conduct between Trump and Westerhout. However, no credible evidence has ever surfaced to support these claims.
Westerhout’s tenure in the White House ended in 2019 after she reportedly told journalists at an off-the-record dinner that she had a closer relationship with Trump than his own daughters, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Boulos (née Trump).
The DOJ has issued important caveats about the latest document release, warning that the files “may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos.” In a statement last week, the department emphasized that redactions were limited to protecting victims and their families, noting that “notable individuals and politicians were not redacted in the release of any files.”
“Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the DOJ statement continued. “To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously described the earlier release of files by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee as “bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trump’s historic accomplishments.”
The massive document release has not been without criticism. A group of Epstein survivors expressed outrage last Friday, telling the Associated Press: “Survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous. The Justice Department cannot claim it is finished releasing files until every legally required document is released and every abuser and enabler is fully exposed.”
The Epstein Files Transparency Act was designed to bring more information to light regarding the disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His connections to high-profile individuals across politics, business, and entertainment have fueled ongoing interest in the case.
As officials continue to release documents related to the investigation into Epstein, no new criminal charges have been filed in connection with the latest document release. The DOJ continues to process and release materials in compliance with the transparency act.
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13 Comments
While the Epstein case has been the subject of intense public scrutiny, I think it’s important to maintain a level of objectivity when it comes to these latest allegations. We should let the facts guide our understanding, not unsubstantiated rumors.
The release of these Epstein documents is certainly important, but we need to be cautious about how we interpret the information. It’s crucial that any claims are thoroughly investigated and corroborated before being presented as fact.
It’s good to see the White House swiftly dismissing these unfounded rumors. We should be cautious about spreading unverified claims, especially when they involve high-profile individuals.
Agreed. The public deserves the facts, not salacious gossip. Responsible reporting is crucial, especially on sensitive political matters.
I’m glad to see the White House taking a firm stance against these rumors. Spreading unconfirmed information, especially about sensitive political matters, can have serious consequences. We should demand a higher standard of evidence-based reporting.
The release of these Epstein documents is certainly newsworthy, but we need to be cautious about how we interpret the information. It’s important to let the facts guide our understanding and avoid perpetuating unsubstantiated rumors, no matter how salacious they may be.
The release of these Epstein files is certainly newsworthy, but we should be wary of jumping to conclusions without clear evidence. It’s important to maintain objectivity and let the facts speak for themselves.
Absolutely. It’s critical that the media and the public approach this information with a balanced and judicious mindset, focusing on the verifiable details rather than unsubstantiated speculation.
While the Epstein case has been shrouded in controversy, I think it’s wise to withhold judgment on these particular allegations until they can be properly investigated and verified. Jumping to conclusions could undermine public trust.
I’m glad to see the White House taking a firm stance against these allegations. Responsible reporting is crucial, especially when it comes to sensitive political matters. We should demand a high standard of evidence and avoid fueling the spread of unverified claims.
I appreciate the White House’s swift response to these rumors. It’s crucial that we avoid perpetuating unverified claims, as that can undermine public trust and distort the truth. Responsible reporting is essential in these types of high-profile cases.
The release of the Epstein files is certainly a significant development, but we must be careful not to jump to conclusions based on unproven allegations. Maintaining a measured, evidence-based approach is the best way to ensure the public is informed accurately.
While the Epstein case has been mired in controversy, I think it’s important to withhold judgment on these particular claims until they can be properly investigated. Spreading unsubstantiated rumors, even in jest, can have serious consequences.