A Reuters/Ipsos online poll of 4,434 U.S. adults (Dec. 3–8) finds most Americans distrust President Trump’s handling of matters tied to Jeffrey Epstein: 23% approve, 52% disapprove. Large majorities believe the government is withholding information about Epstein’s 2019 jail death and about potential co‑conspirators. Republican approval on this specific issue rose to 53% from 44% last month, though that remains below Trump’s usual GOP support. Few respondents think it likely Trump was unaware of Epstein’s alleged crimes before they became public.
Americans Doubt Trump’s Handling Of Epstein Case, But GOP Support Climbs — Reuters/Ipsos Poll
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a signing ceremony with President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi and President of Rwanda Paul Kagame (not pictured) at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 4, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
A Reuters/Ipsos online poll conducted Dec. 3–8 of 4,434 U.S. adults finds broad public skepticism about President Donald Trump’s handling of matters related to Jeffrey Epstein, even as approval among core Republican supporters has increased.
Poll Highlights
The survey shows just 23% of Americans approve of the way Trump is addressing the ongoing Epstein-related controversy, while 52% disapprove. Large majorities across the political spectrum say the government is withholding information about Epstein’s 2019 death and about people who may have been involved in alleged trafficking.
Specifically, 62% of respondents (including 56% of Republicans) said they believe authorities are hiding information about Epstein’s death in a Manhattan jail in 2019, which was officially ruled a suicide. A larger share—70% overall and 62% of Republicans—said they believe the government is concealing information about people who may have participated in the financier’s alleged trafficking of teenage girls.
Republican Support Rises
While overall trust is low, the poll found Republican approval for Trump’s handling of the issue rose to 53% from 44% in the previous month’s survey. That remains well below the roughly 85% approval Trump typically receives from Republican voters on other issues.
Only 18% of all respondents (34% of Republicans) said it was likely that Trump did not know about Epstein’s alleged crimes before they were made public. Trump has denied knowledge and says he ended the friendship before Epstein’s 2008 state conviction for soliciting a minor.
Political Response
Last month, Congress passed a law requiring the Justice Department to release documents from its long-running investigation into Epstein by Dec. 19, reflecting bipartisan pressure for greater transparency amid accusations of a cover-up. Trump and some of his allies have promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein, which has intensified public debate.
Methodology: The online poll included 4,434 U.S. adults and was conducted Dec. 3–8. Findings are reported by Reuters and Ipsos.
