Epstein Survivor Claims Trump DOJ Effort to Suppress Victims’ Voices Backfired

​Days after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) removed thousands of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein from its website after victims said their identities were compromised, a survivor has spoken out.

In early February 2026, the Trump administrations DOJ released more than 3 million new files from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation into Epstein. The files reportedly had personal information of more than 40 victims.

A survivor named Liz Stein stated that the move was made by the Trump government to “silence victims”. Speaking on MS NOW’s Alex Witt Reports on Sunday, Stein said the Trump DOJ’s move only encouraged more victims to speak out.

​“When we saw the release of the files a week ago, and we saw the horrific admission and exposure of survivors’ names and information, those are tactics that are used to silence victims of crime,” she said. “But it really did the opposite for us. It energized us, and it had us refocus and continue on our journey to justice,” Stein continued.

Stein’s remarks came as Congress prepared to depose Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on February 10. Maxwell is expected to appear virtually for the closed-door deposition from the Texas prison where she is serving her sentence. Reports indicate Maxwell is likely to invoke her Fifth Amendment right and refuse to answer questions to avoid self-incrimination.

In 2021, Maxwell was found guilty of child trafficking and other offenses connected to Epstein. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the United States.

“I can confirm that she will take the 5th,” Maxwell's Lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told the BBC on Sunday, referring to the constitutional right against self-incrimination.

Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, on federal charges of trafficking minors in Florida and New York. He died before his trial date, and the New York City Medical Examiner ruled his death was a suicide by hanging.

​

​Ahead of Super Bowl LX, Epstein survivors appeared in television advertisement urging the Department of Justice to release the remaining Epstein files.

​During the advertisement, images of survivors from the time they first met Epstein appeared alongside the message, “This girl deserves the truth.”

​“After years of being kept apart, we’re standing together,” the eight women said, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the remaining files.

​The DOJ said withheld files could reveal victims’ identities, contain material depicting abuse of children, or interfere with ongoing federal investigations, according to Independent.

​Trump has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein, saying he severed contact decades ago. Trump has not been charged with any crimes related to Epstein’s victims.