Washington, United States. Few Americans, including 21% of Republicans, believe President Donald Trump’s administration has helped deliver justice in cases connected to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The six-day poll, which closed on Monday, found that only 10% of respondents said the administration had helped efforts to hold people connected to Epstein accountable.
Poll findings on accountability
Only one in five respondents said the alleged clients of Epstein have been held accountable. Some of Epstein’s victims have claimed that rich and powerful people were protected in official investigations.
Background on Epstein case
Congressional investigators continue to probe Epstein’s alleged crimes. Epstein served time in prison after pleading guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl, and died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.
Release of investigation files
The Trump administration released millions of Justice Department investigation files in January, naming or featuring photographs of dozens of powerful people in business and government, including Trump himself. Several corporate executives have stepped down this year after appearing in the files, but none have been charged with crimes.
Bill Gates interview
Bill Gates, the billionaire founder of Microsoft MSFT.O, was among the individuals named in the files and is scheduled to sit for a closed-door interview with congressional investigators on Wednesday. The files released this year indicated that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein pleaded guilty to the prostitution charges to discuss expanding Gates’ philanthropic efforts.
Response from Gates’ philanthropy
A spokesperson for Gates’ philanthropy said in February that the billionaire “took responsibility for his actions” over ties to Epstein in a town hall meeting with employees.
Political pressure on Trump
The Epstein scandal has remained a political challenge for Trump, who had long encouraged suspicions around Epstein and faced criticism that his administration was not fully disclosing everything the U.S. government knew about the case.
Broader public sentiment
Some 84% of respondents in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, including similar shares of Republicans, Democrats and independents, said the Epstein files showed that powerful people in America are rarely held accountable.