US Congress approves release of Epstein files: 'Your move, Trump'

The US House of Representatives has approved a bill requiring the release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The vote to disclose the records on the convicted sex offender financier was near-unanimous (427 votes to one), and the bill will now be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

“This is just days after Donald Trump changed his position, although he campaigned on the release of the Epstein files to be President,” explains correspondent Adam Gilchrist.

Trump had previously opposed the release but changed course this week and now supports the disclosure.

Much attention has been focused on the relationship between the two billionaires. In emails released by Epstein's estate earlier this month, Trump was mentioned, raising new questions about that connection.

Gilchrist says that while the files are highly anticipated, their contents remain unclear.

“We don’t know what’s in the files. We don’t know what form the files take, whether there are photos or letters or emails,” he said, adding that some documents could yet be redacted.

Supporters of the bill argue the documents are crucial for transparency and justice for Epstein’s victims.

“Your move, Donald Trump, but what's gonna come out of this? Is it really going to shake everything to its core?” asks Gilchrist.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by apparent suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

To listen to Gilchrist in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click below: