Unexpected Defense: Trump Calls Clinton Subpoenas a “Shame” as Epstein Probe Heat Up

In a surprising departure from partisan lines, President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for his former political rivals on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, calling the Republican-led effort to force Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation a “shame.”

Speaking from the White House, Trump’s comments came just hours after the House Oversight Committee announced that the Clintons had “caved” to the threat of criminal contempt and agreed to sit for filmed, transcribed depositions later this month.

A Call to “Move On”

Despite his administration’s ongoing release of millions of unredacted Epstein-related documents—under the Epstein Files Transparency Act—Trump signaled a desire to pivot away from the financier’s shadow.

• Defending the Clintons: “I think it’s a shame, to be honest. I always liked him,” Trump said of Bill Clinton. He also praised Hillary Clinton as a “smart” and “capable” woman, noting her debating skills were “better than some of the other people.”
• The “Conspiracy” Defense: Trump suggested that the focus on his own ties to Epstein—including his 17-year friendship with the late sex offender—is part of a “dishonest” media narrative. He dismissed revelations about his allies Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick being named in the files, stating, “I’m sure they’re fine.”
• Personal Attack on Press: The President drew sharp criticism during the exchange for telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins she should “smile” more when she questioned him about survivors of Epstein’s abuse who feel they have not received justice.

The Oversight Committee’s Win

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) hailed the agreement as a victory for transparency, ending a six-month standoff that nearly resulted in a historic House floor vote for criminal contempt.

“No one is above the law—and that includes the Clintons,” Comer stated. “Once it became clear that the House of Representatives would hold them in contempt, the Clintons completely caved.”

Democrat Counter-Strategy: Subpoenaing Trump?

Trump’s defense of the Clintons may be a preemptive strike against a growing movement among House Democrats to bring the sitting president under the same scrutiny.

Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) told NBC News on Tuesday that if Democrats regain control of Congress, they intend to force Trump to testify under oath about his own relationship with Epstein. “We are absolutely going to have Donald Trump testify,” Lieu vowed, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the subpoenas issued by the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee last July.