Trump administration's approach to Epstein matters draws broad public disapproval in new survey

Only 10 percent of respondents in a Reuters/Ipsos poll credited the Trump administration with advancing accountability for Epstein associates.

A digital billboard funded by The Lincoln Project Advocacy displays images of US President Donald Trump and late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Times Square in New York City on April 30 2026.

(photo credit: Adam Gray/Getty Images)

ByREUTERS

JUNE 10 2026 13:30

Few Americans including just 21 percent of Republicans believe President Donald Trump's administration has aided justice in matters tied to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein according to a fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The six-day survey ending Monday coincides with continued congressional probes into Epstein's alleged offenses after his 2008 guilty plea on prostitution charges involving solicitation of an underage girl.

Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

Just 10 percent of poll respondents said the Trump administration supported efforts to hold Epstein associates accountable while only one in five said his alleged clients have faced consequences.

Some of Epstein's victims have asserted that wealthy and influential figures received protection during official investigations.

Epstein files create political challenge for Trump as nation suspects hidden facts

The Trump administration fueled speculation through the January release of millions of Justice Department files that referenced or included images of numerous powerful figures in business and government including Trump himself.

Several corporate leaders have resigned this year after appearing in the files though none have faced criminal charges.

Bill Gates the billionaire founder of Microsoft was among those named and is scheduled for a closed-door interview with congressional investigators on Wednesday.

The released files showed that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after the 2008 plea to discuss expanding Gates' philanthropic work. A spokesperson for Gates' philanthropy stated in February that the billionaire accepted responsibility for his Epstein ties during an employee town hall.

The Epstein scandal continues as a political issue for Trump who previously promoted suspicions around Epstein and has faced criticism that his administration failed to release all known government information on the case.

Some 84 percent of respondents in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll including comparable shares of Republicans Democrats and independents said the Epstein files demonstrate that powerful Americans are seldom held accountable.

Three-quarters of the country believes the federal government is likely still concealing information about Epstein's alleged clients.