The President, visibly frustrated, dismissed the inquiry as irrelevant and a distraction, calling Epstein “ancient news” and implying that continued media focus on the disgraced financier was politically motivated. Trump has previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially but denies any deeper association or involvement in Epstein's crimes.

The US president’s comments amounted to a striking rebuke of members of his own base, who have called for the attorney general’s resignation.