White House Slams NYC Councilman for Calling Trump 'Pedophile'

Councilman Chi Ossé accused the president of being in the Epstein Files, but the White House says he should ask Democrats about their ties to the convicted sex offender.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The White House has strongly criticized New York City Councilman Chi Ossé for accusing President Donald Trump of being a 'pedophile' due to his mention in the Epstein Files. The White House spokeswoman said Ossé should instead ask Democrats like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Delegate Stacey Plaskett why they were soliciting money and meetings with Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender. Ossé made the claim during a City Council meeting, alleging the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument to distract from the Epstein scandal.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations surrounding President Trump's alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The White House is pushing back strongly against Ossé's claims, arguing that Democrats also had ties to Epstein that should be scrutinized.

The details

During a City Council meeting, Councilman Chi Ossé, a Brooklyn Democrat, accused President Trump of being a 'pedophile' due to his mention in the Epstein Files. Ossé also alleged that the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan in an attempt to distract from the Epstein scandal. The White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson strongly condemned Ossé's comments, saying he should instead ask Democrats like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Delegate Stacey Plaskett why they were soliciting money and meetings with Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender.

  • On February 14, 2026, the White House responded to Councilman Ossé's comments.

The players

Chi Ossé

A far-left New York City Councilman from Brooklyn who accused President Trump of being a 'pedophile' due to his mention in the Epstein Files.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who was mentioned in the Epstein Files.

Abigail Jackson

A spokeswoman for the White House who strongly condemned Councilman Ossé's comments about President Trump.

Hakeem Jeffries

A Democratic Congressman from New York who the White House says should be asked about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Stacey Plaskett

The Democratic Delegate from the Virgin Islands who the White House says should be asked about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“Rather than spew egregious lies about President Trump, this Trump-deranged individual should ask Democrats like [New York Rep.] Hakeem Jeffries and [Virgin Islands Delegate] Stacey Plaskett why they were soliciting money and meetings with Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House Spokeswoman (The Post)

“I want to remind everyone that Donald Trump is potentially doing this to distract from the fact that he is in the Epstein Files, so he's trying to rile us all up.”

— Chi Ossé, New York City Councilman (City Council Meeting)

“There's a pedophile of the United States who's sitting in the White House.”

— Chi Ossé, New York City Councilman (City Council Meeting)

“To call our sitting president a pedophile is absolutely ludicrous — and way out of line — because you can look at the Epstein Files and find a whole lot of names in there.”

— Vickie Paladino, New York City Councilwoman (City Council Meeting)

What’s next

The White House has strongly condemned Councilman Ossé's comments, and it remains to be seen if there will be any further political fallout or investigations into the allegations surrounding President Trump and the Epstein Files.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing partisan divide and accusations surrounding President Trump's alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While the White House has pushed back forcefully, the political battle over these issues seems likely to continue.