On January 30, 2026, the US Department of Justice published another batch of documents in the case. The information contained therein caused a media storm not only in the United States, but also around the world.
In the documents published by the US Department of Justice, Trump's name appears in over 3.2 thousand. of them. Trump denied on Monday on Truth Social that he was friends with the convicted sex offender. He also emphasized that he had never been to Little Saint James Island.
How will the Epstein scandal affect society's perception of Trump?
How many times did Trump's name appear in Epstein's files?
Does Trump deny his friendship with Epstein?
What other social problems might be covered up by this scandal?
“People found a savior in Trump”
Will the Epstein scandal affect the American public's perception of Trump? – Its ratings have already dropped, but little else will change – an expert, American studies professor, tells Onet. Małgorzata Zachara-Szymańska from the Jagiellonian University.
— Society will never definitively turn away from Trump. There is no mechanism that would be able to eliminate the effect of mass addiction that it caused. This is a self-perpetuating psychological machine: people have found a savior and no longer need logic or rational arguments. And certainly not to undermine his status. Because the savior gives hope and relieves them of the burden of making decisions, says the Americanist.
Epstein files a smokescreen to save Trump?
— The question arises whether the massive disclosure of documents related to the Epstein scandal was a deliberate attempt on the part of the US administration to divert attention from more serious problems. This may seem paradoxical, but for Trump it is better for people to talk about a scandal in which there is no clear evidence of his guilt than to discuss empty wallets and a creeping recession. Because focusing attention on this could actually threaten Trump's plans before the midterm elections in the USA. When a voter sees how much he has in his wallet, it significantly influences his political judgment, says the Americanist.
— The publication of these files also distracts attention from the mass protests after the barbaric and unjustified ICE action in Minneapolis, says Prof. Zachara-Szymańska. Two people died unnecessarily at the hands of services designed to protect citizens. And the president distorts, accuses, covers up, pretends there is no problem – adds the expert.
“The villain's circle is built around others. Trump emerges as a savior”
Prof. Zachara-Szymańska points out that, paradoxically, Trump may even benefit from the disclosure of thousands of documents from Epstein's files. — Is there any clear confirmation of his guilt in these documents? There aren't. Perhaps they could be found if the US administration disclosed these blackened parts of the files. But he won't do that, we can be sure, he points out.
– There are documents showing that almost the entire political elite maintained contacts with Epstein, not only in the United States, but at the global level – says the Americanist. — Attention is focused on them and they are asked uncomfortable questions. This is where Trump comes in, with the message that this elite is “rotten and corrupt.” And he, as the “only clean one”, broke off relations with Epstein years ago. And he can still present himself as a moral restorer, and people will buy this image. Of course, those who support him anyway, he explains.
— In general, after the publication of the files, there will be no shock, it will remain as it was. Those who do not tolerate Trump will gain further, in their opinion, evidence that they are right. And those supporting Trump may remain dissatisfied with the administration's slowness in this matter, but it will not fundamentally undermine their political orientation, emphasizes Prof. Zachara-Szymańska.
