On September 5, 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed that President Donald Trump had served as a federal informant, assisting in the dismantling of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring. As calls for the full release of Epstein's files grew louder, Trump referred to it as a "Democratic hoax." Johnson defended Trump’s actions, stating that Trump had previously barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and expressed sympathy for the victims. This unverified claim sparked controversy, raised questions from critics, and led to divisions of opinion on social media.