Rep. Lieu Accused of Spreading Unverified Epstein Allegations

Congressman faces criticism for citing questionable source in House hearing

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) is facing backlash after making unsubstantiated claims about former President Trump's involvement with the Jeffrey Epstein case during a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing. Lieu cited an anonymous limo driver's account, which included allegations of Trump abusing a minor and the subsequent murder of the victim to prevent her from speaking out. However, the source has been described as unreliable, with the driver posting numerous politically-charged and extreme anti-Trump memes on social media.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing issue of politicians and public figures spreading unverified information, often for political gain, in the current climate of heightened partisanship and 'rage politics.' Critics argue that Lieu's actions undermine efforts to combat disinformation and erode public trust in institutions and the political process.

The details

During the House Judiciary Committee hearing, Lieu presented the unverified account of an anonymous limo driver, Dan Ferree, who claimed to have overheard a phone conversation between Trump and someone named 'Jeffrey' in which references were made to 'abusing some girl.' Ferree also alleged that the young girl was later found dead, with the coroner ruling it a suicide, though there was no proof of such a case. Lieu later omitted the third page of Ferree's statement to the FBI, which included other bizarre claims about the Oklahoma City bombing and a drunk Hillary Clinton.

  • On March 2, 2026, Rep. Ted Lieu made the unsubstantiated claims about Trump and Epstein during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

The players

Rep. Ted Lieu

A Democratic Congressman from California who is known for making sensational claims, often without strong evidence to back them up.

Dan Ferree

An anonymous limo driver who provided the unverified account that Lieu cited in the House hearing, including allegations of Trump abusing a minor and the victim's subsequent murder. Ferree has reportedly posted numerous politically-charged and extreme anti-Trump memes on social media, raising questions about his credibility as a source.

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What they’re saying

“We've seen a president stoking fears amidst these crises. We've seen a president engaging in disinformation. We've seen a president exhorting and the President's sustained disinformation. We've seen a president who has failed to take responsibility.”

— Rep. Ted Lieu, Congressman

“This was not some hair-triggered posting that failed to research the underlying story. This was a knowing effort to repost the sensational allegation while removing the part of the document that undermined the credibility of the source.”

— Jonathan Turley, Law Professor and Author (New York Post)

What’s next

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to further investigate the credibility of the sources and claims made by Rep. Lieu regarding Trump's alleged involvement with the Epstein case.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing problem of politicians and public figures spreading unverified information, often for political gain, in the current climate of heightened partisanship. It underscores the need for greater scrutiny and accountability when it comes to the use of questionable sources and the dissemination of potentially damaging allegations.