GOP Senator Warns Trump: Release Epstein Files or Risk 2026 Midterm Fallout

WASHINGTON (July 23, 2025) — Republican Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) issued a stark warning to the Trump administration on Wednesday: release the Jeffrey Epstein files or face potential backlash in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

In an interview with Axios’ Stef Knight, Tillis said that delaying or downplaying the promised release of the Epstein documents could damage public trust—and Republican prospects.

“Just release the damn files,” Tillis urged. “It was a campaign promise. Whether it’s a nothingburger or something more disturbing, the public deserves transparency.”

White House Memo Sparks Outrage

Earlier this month, a joint memo from the FBI and Justice Department concluded there was no evidence that Epstein was murdered or that he kept a client list used for blackmail. The memo contradicts claims made by Trump officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, who stated on Fox News that Epstein’s client list was “sitting on [her] desk.”

The contradiction infuriated Trump’s base and raised fresh questions about whether the administration is trying to suppress sensitive details.

Tillis: Ignoring the Issue Will Backfire

Tillis warned Republican leaders against attempts to bury the controversy. He pointed specifically to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s move to adjourn the House early to prevent a vote on a bipartisan resolution demanding the release of the Epstein files.

“If anybody thinks this is going to go away because the House left a day early,” Tillis said, “it’s going to be like those zombies in The Walking Dead. You think you’ve killed it, and another one’s just going to come running.”

He added that the issue “will haunt the GOP” through next year’s elections if mishandled.

Democrats Already Seizing the Moment

Democrats have wasted no time using the controversy to criticize Trump and the Republican party. Meanwhile, Trump continues to downplay his long-documented ties to Epstein.

This week, CNN released photos of Epstein attending Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples and footage of the two men together at a 1999 Victoria’s Secret event. Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported Trump allegedly wrote a sexually suggestive letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003—an accusation Trump denies. He has since sued the Journal over the report.

Tillis to Exit, But Still Speaking Out

Tillis, who recently announced he won’t seek reelection, has had a complicated relationship with Trump. He faced the president’s wrath after voting down Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill,” but continues to weigh in on key issues.

“I’m not here to oppose the president,” he said. “But I’m also not going to sit back when bad advice is being followed.”

Source: The Huff Post