Epstein Files Fade From Midterm Campaigns, but Experts Say the Issue Is Far From Gone

As Americans prepare for high-stakes midterm elections, some advocates for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse fear the scandal is slipping into the background. Political experts say the dip is likely temporary, and that voters can weigh everyday worries such as affordability and artificial intelligence alongside a case that touched much of America's elite.

Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer at Goldlaw who has represented multiple survivors, said his main worry is not that the public will forget. He is concerned that politicians and institutions responsible for accountability will treat the chaos of world events as a reason to move on. "Justice should not have an expiration date, and it certainly should not be dictated by the news cycle," he said. Kuvin urged the government to keep releasing Epstein files, which many say were left out of allegedly incomplete disclosures, and called on Congress to demand accountability.

Jennifer Freeman of Marsh Law, who represents numerous survivors in litigation over Epstein's abuse of teenage girls, called the diverted attention over the past year disappointing. She remains optimistic, however, and said she is confident the case will command focus again soon. Freeman is pursuing a lawsuit against the US government over alleged negligence in failing, for decades, to properly investigate and prosecute Epstein. She is also litigating a class action against his estate over his collection and production of child sex abuse images.

Analysts described a likely pause rather than a permanent decline. Brittany Martinez, a Republican strategist and acting director of Principles First, said people can care about several things at once, but what directly affects their lives takes priority. Concerns about gas prices and living costs can push Epstein out of the immediate conversation, she said, though she expects to hear less about it "for stretches, rather than see it disappear altogether."

Shawn Donahue, a clinical associate professor of political science at the University at Buffalo, pointed to timing. Congress is in recess, so there is no floor discussion of the proposed Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which would address what advocates see as shortfalls in the current law, including the lack of enforcement mechanisms. Donahue expects the issue to resurface when lawmakers return, particularly if Democrats win one or both chambers. If they take the House, as polls project, he expects them to quickly "put Republicans on the spot" and to begin investigating from day one.

Julie Roginsky, co-founder of the non-profit Lift Our Voices, argued the issue still matters to voters. She said she believes Epstein is part of the reason President Trump's numbers are at record lows, and that even some Republicans broke with him over it. If Democrats gain control of at least one chamber, she predicted far more conversation about survivors and Epstein starting next year.

Democratic lawmakers vowed to keep pressing. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico acknowledged that Americans will vote with their pocketbooks, but said they will not forget that the president was Epstein's friend and tried to hide the truth. Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said demands for accountability would not change "no matter how much they try to flood the zone." Pressley, Leger Fernández and Representative Deborah Ross recently introduced legislation addressing survivors' financial burdens. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico said he would keep pushing for full release of the files.

The White House said Trump has been totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis cited the release of thousands of pages of documents, cooperation with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, the signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and calls for more investigations into Epstein's Democratic friends. She said Trump has done more for victims than anyone before him, and claimed several Democrats have yet to explain why they sought money and meetings from Epstein after his conviction as a sex offender.

The Department of Justice maintains it has complied with the original law's disclosure requirements. It also rejected claims by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez that it had not helped the state's investigation. The department said the law and the protective orders in the Southern District of New York do not permit disclosure of victim-identifying information "carte blanche," and that it remains available to assist New Mexico consistent with the law and binding court orders.