On September 3, 2025, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein held an emotional two‑hour news conference just outside the U.S. Capitol, calling for transparency, justice, and resolute action in the aftermath of their years of abuse. Many attendees spoke publicly for the first time, delivering deeply personal testimonies that revealed the harrowing world behind Epstein’s exploitation—and what they hope comes next.
Survivors described being duped as teenage masseuses into predatory environments. One recounted the chilling reality of being coached into the exploitative roles, while Haley Robson, appearing in media coverage earlier, revealed she was coerced into recruiting other teenage girls. Robson said she was paid per recruit, saying, “I was told it would be possibly in your bra and underwear, but it would just be a massage.”
Another survivor, Marina Lacerda—long identified as “minor victim one”—spoke about being lured under the guise of opportunity, only to be trapped in abuse that derailed her education and childhood.
For years, investigators have asserted that no formal “client list” of powerful individuals associated with Epstein exists. Yet survivors are now proactively taking matters into their own hands. At the press conference, Lisa Phillips—who runs a podcast for Epstein survivors—announced:
“We have been discussing creating our own list. We know the names… it will be done by survivors, for survivors. Stay tuned.”
Attorney Brad Edwards clarified that no official list was found in Epstein’s records, and emphasized that while survivors know who was in “his world,” any naming would come with serious legal risks. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene backed up survivors’ rights to hold their collaborators accountable; she offered to publicly read their list in Congress—protected by the Speech or Debate Clause, if given permission
Meanwhile, at a simultaneous White House event, President Trump dismissed the renewed focus on Epstein and the push for document transparency as a “Democrat hoax that never ends,” urging the public to shift attention to the “greatness of our country.”
Survivors were joined by bipartisan lawmakers—Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)—to press for the release of all documents related to the Epstein and Maxwell case. They criticized the Justice Department’s recent release of over 30,000 pages as heavily redacted and largely redundant, with many key files still withheld.
Rep. Khanna framed the fight as fundamental to restoring trust: “A nation that allows rich and powerful men to traffic and abuse young girls without consequence… has lost its moral and spiritual core.”
Victims and families—including those of Virginia Giuffre, who died earlier this year—criticized Trump’s “hoax” characterization. Giuffre’s family called out the administration, insisting that the survivors’ demand for justice will not fade.
Survivors have clearly declared their intent: justice, truth, and closure. Whether through full governmental transparency or survivor‑led accountability, their resolve endures. The release—or potential disclosure—of the “client list” could reignite legal and political ramifications.
