Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed the Epstein files as a hoax, attributing calls for their release to a Democratic attempt to distract public attention. Trump characterized the entire Epstein case as "total bullshit" and a diversionary tactic orchestrated by Democrats. During a recent press conference, he denied authoring a risqué letter published by The Wall Street Journal that was found in Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday album from 2003. Observers have noted that Trump's law-and-order rhetoric appears aimed at shifting focus away from both the Epstein case and the impact of recent tariffs.