GOP Rep. Calls Trump's Cabinet the 'Epstein Administration'

Rep. Thomas Massie slams the president and his inner circle for not being transparent about files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) criticized President Donald Trump and his administration for not being transparent about files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Massie called Trump's Cabinet the 'Epstein administration,' saying they have stonewalled the release of Epstein-related files despite campaign promises to be transparent. The files have indicated that multiple Trump insiders had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known.

Why it matters

The Epstein case has raised concerns about the connections between powerful individuals and the disgraced financier. Massie's criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files adds to the ongoing scrutiny over the president's own ties to Epstein and the transparency around the case.

The details

Rep. Thomas Massie slammed what he called the 'Epstein class,' or the billionaires who were 'rubbing shoulders' with those named in the Epstein files. Massie said Trump had promised to be transparent about the files, but his administration has instead stonewalled their release. The files have indicated that multiple Trump insiders, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Mehmet Oz, and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, had more extensive ties to Epstein than previously known.

  • In 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell at a federal facility.
  • During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump and his team promised to release all files related to Epstein.
  • However, once in office, the Trump administration has repeatedly dismissed the Epstein files as a 'Democrat hoax' and has not been transparent about their release.

The players

Rep. Thomas Massie

A Republican congressman from Kentucky who has been critical of the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files.

President Donald Trump

The former president who had close ties to Jeffrey Epstein and promised to be transparent about the Epstein files during his 2024 campaign, but has since stonewalled their release.

Howard Lutnick

The Commerce Secretary who has been found to have more extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.

Mehmet Oz

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator who has been found to have more extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.

Steve Bannon

The former White House strategist who has been found to have more extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.

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What they’re saying

“Donald Trump told us that, even though he had dinner with these kinds of people in New York City and West Palm Beach, that he would be transparent. But he's not. He's still in with the Epstein class.”

— Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican Congressman from Kentucky (ABC's 'This Week')

“This is the Epstein administration. And they're attacking me for trying to get these files released.”

— Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican Congressman from Kentucky (ABC's 'This Week')

What’s next

Massie has helped spearhead an effort in Congress to force the release of the Epstein files, which have been heavily redacted. The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow further redactions or to release more of the unredacted files to the public.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about the connections between powerful individuals and Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the lack of transparency from the Trump administration in releasing files related to the Epstein case despite campaign promises to do so. The criticism from Massie, a Republican, adds to the scrutiny over the president's own ties to Epstein and the administration's handling of the matter.