LIVE: Epstein Survivors HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE before BIG VOTE

I'm Ben Meelis from the Midas Touch. Network and this is a special edition of. the Midas Touch podcast. In just a few. moments, we're going to be bringing in. live from Washington DC a very special. press conference from the Epstein. survivors. This will be taking place. right before the vote in the House of. Representatives to release the Epstein. files. Now that the discharge petition.

is ripe, it's a discharge petition to. release the Epstein files that was. pioneered by Democratic Congress member. Ro Kana and Republican Congress member. Thomas Massie after very very very. extensive efforts by Donald Trump, MAGA. Mike Johnson, and the whole MAGA. apparatus to block the release of the. Epstein file. files. I will note that.

even when this discharge petition that. has ripened into a resolution before the. House passes and we expect it to pass in. overwhelming fashion, it still faces. many a hurdle. It has to pass in the. Senate. Donald Trump then has to sign it. into law to release the Epstein files. and then they have to actually release. the files. want to be very very clear. The releasing of the files does not.

require this resolution that will be. first have to be passed by the house. then the senate then signed by Donald. Trump. Trump has the authority right now. to release the full files if he wants. to. But he's not doing that. The whole. purpose behind this discharge petition. is to force Trump to do something that. he's refusing to do as he and his regime. continues to cover up this child sex.

trafficking ring. Now, Donald Trump may. pretend and say, "Oh, I actually support. the vote now in the House of. Representatives." Well, he never did. before. He knew he was going to be. humiliated and embarrassed by the vote. that's taking place today where we. expect an overwhelming fashion members. in the House of Representatives to vote. to release the files. But I still think. that there are a lot of plans that. Donald Trump has to try to block the. release of the files. I think Maggamike.

will try to work with the Senate to then. put some poison pills in the resolution. when it goes from the House to the. Senate to try to block the release of. the files. I think if that um doesn't. work, Donald Trump will just tell the. DOJ say there's an ongoing investigation. into Democrats and as a result of. ongoing investigations, we can't release. the files. And if that doesn't work, I. think that they're just going to. cherrypick another 20,000 documents to.

release that don't involve Trump on. them. And they're going to keep just. dropping small amounts of documents in. the swing of the broader terabytes of. documents to not show the documents that. have Trump's name on it. I think that. that's where it's going to be headed. But then it's on us to every single day. continue to hold this regime accountable. as we've been doing and force the. release of these files. This is not.

going away for Donald Trump anytime. soon. And today's vote is certainly. going to be showing that. But what we're. about to bring in is a press conference. that's going to feature Democratic. Congress member Ro Kana, Republican. Congress member Thomas Massie. You'll. also be hearing from former MAGA. Congresswoman Marjgerie Taylor Green. who's been kicked out of MAGA, who. Donald Trump now calls Marjorie Trader. Brown. She'll be speaking. Then you're.

going to hear from a number of these. survivors. They've all come to. Washington DC and their message is very. clear. release the files and stop. invoking the names of survivors as. pretext to continue the cover up of the. child sex trafficking ring that Epstein. led. The survivors are united in their. cause. They're united in their message. and they're united with the American. people to release these files as Donald.

Trump and MAGA continues this cover up. And so we expect today to be one small. step towards the release of these files, but I do not expect Donald Trump to all. of a sudden release the files that have. his name on it or the ones that have. names of other powerful, wealthy, rich. men on it either. But that's for us to.

continue to uh fight for and continue to. call out each and every uh single day. I'll just show you in advance of today's. press conference. This was a powerful. ad. It ran on Monday Night Football as. well. Uh let's just uh show you this ad. that these survivors put together. Let's. let's play it. [music].

I suffered so much pain. [music]. >> So much pain. >> So much pain. >> I suffered so much pain. [music]. >> I was 14 years old. >> I was 16 years old. >> was 16. >> 17 [music] 14 years old. >> This is me. This was me. >> This is me when I met Jeffrey Epstein. This is me [music]. when I met Jeffrey Epstein.

[music]. There are about a thousand of us. [music]. It's time to bring the secrets out of. the shadows. It's time to shine a light. into the darkness. [music]. >> [music]. [music].

>> That was actually put out on Monday. Night Football by Reed Hoffman, who. someone who Donald Trump's been. defaming, and he put that out on Monday. Night Football. Let's bring in I know. this press conference is moments away. from starting. Let's go and check to see. if indeed it is uh starting anytime. soon. As soon as it begins, we will. bring it to you live. Well, we'll hear. directly from Democratic Congress member. Roana or we'll hear from Republican.

Congress member Thomas Massie or we'll. hear from the survivors. And you can see. just everybody can see right there. >> As you also know, we've been interviewing the survivors. Actually, it was Aaron Parnas who was.

the first to break that ad by the. survivors here at the Midas Touch. Network. Um, we've been doing a lot of. interviews with the survivors and what. we try to do here is to tell their. stories in long form and in ways that. people haven't really um heard before. And just so you know, my background. before starting the Midas Touch Network, part of my practice as a litigator when. I would handle civil rights cases would.

be to represent. um victims and survivors in cases like. this. And so, uh many cases, these are. the types of cases that I would handle. in civil litigation settings. And they. also often had components where the. defendant being sued who was often a. rich and powerful man. There was also. sometimes criminal cases going on uh as. well. And so um as a litigator it was.

issues that I worked with. Right. Let's. bring you close to the press. Let's. bring you to the press. >> Good morning. Today uh is the first day of real. reckoning for the Epstein class. We're. here to stand with forgotten and. abandoned Americans against an Epstein. class that had no regard for the rules. or the laws. Look, this is one of the.

most horrific and disgusting corruption. scandals in our country's history. You. had Jeffrey Epstein who literally set up. an island of rape, a rape island. And. you had rich and powerful men, some of. the richest people in the world, who. thought that they could hang out with. bankers, buy off politicians, and abuse. and rape America's girls with no. consequence.

Because survivors spoke up, because of. their courage, the truth is finally. going to come out. And when it comes. out, this country is really going to. have a moral reckoning. How did we allow. this to happen? There should be no. buildings named after people in this. Epstein class. There should be no. scholarships named after them. They. shouldn't be enjoying the perks of being. affiliated with corporations or. universities or writing opeds or being.

lionized. And many of the survivors will. tell you some of these people still are. celebrated in our society. That's. disgusting. There needs to be. accountability. I want to recognize first and foremost. the survivors. They are the ones who. made today possible. Many of you had uh. forgotten about this issue and frankly. for decades we have not done enough. about this issue and it's only because.

of their advocacy them coming here to. the capital. They showed up here uh time. and again and on September 3rd that the. country started to pay attention and I. also want to thank the courage of two of. my colleagues in particular. Both of. them have suffered as you know. extraordinary political consequences uh. for what they did. One my colleague uh. Congressman Thomas Massie this would not. have been possible if he hadn't led the. discharge petition that got 218.

signatures uh and is going to force a. vote in the House of Representatives. And this would not have certainly been. possible if it were not for the courage. of Marjorie Taylor Green. She signed the. petition and I would keep texting uh. Thomas, is she is she going to drop off? Is she going to drop off? Because there. was so much pressure against us, so much. attacks against her. But she uh stood. with the survivors. For Thomas or me, this has never been political. This is.

not about questions of Trump or Biden. This is a question of doing the right. thing for survivors. We're going to get. a vote today. I expect an overwhelming. vote in the House of Representatives. And I don't want the DC Swamp playing. any games. They need to pass this in the. Senate. And they should not amend it. President Trump has said he would sign. the Epstein Transparency Act. It's going. to get overwhelming support in the. House. It should go straight to the. Senate and it should be signed. No. amendments, no adding loopholes. Justice.

is long overdue. And I want to hand it. over to my colleague, Representative. Thomas Massie. I want to start by thanking the. survivors. I mean, they're giving. everybody hope in this country. There. are survivors of other sex crimes in. this country wondering if they should. come forward. They're clouded with shame. and concerned that law enforcement will. do nothing. And these survivors have. stepped forth taking that same risk,

worried that they will be defamed. themselves. They have been defamed for. stepping forward. But we're going to get. justice for them. That's going to happen. today in the people's house. The. founders set up our government with. three branches and and two branches of. Congress. And I don't think it's any. coincidence that this fight is being. started and it's being won in the House. of Representatives. I have people other. survivors of other sex crimes who come. to me and say, "Thank you. You give me.

hope. You give us hope. There is hope. here. We fought the president, the. attorney general, the FBI director, the. speaker of the house, and the vice. president to get this win. But they never they're on our side. today, though. [laughter]. So, let's give them some credit as well. U they they are finally on the side of. justice. And as Rose said, don't muck it. up in the Senate. Don't get too cute.

We're all paying attention. If you want. to add some additional protections for. these survivors, go for it. But if you. do anything that prevents any. disclosure, you are not for the people. and you are not part of this effort. Do. not muck it up in the Senate. So, um, with that, I just want to say I am. hopeful, too. I didn't know that we. would succeed when Row and I started. this effort. Most discharge petitions. never make it, uh, maybe only 4%. So, we.

had long odds, but we had some brave. women on the Republican side. My. colleague Marjorie Taylor Green is one. of them who's here with us today. That. you cannot even imagine the consequences. that they have suffered. My colleague. Lauren Boowbert and my colleague Nancy. Mace, they stood so strong. They put. their names on a document in here and. then they were pressured in ways that. you cannot even imagine. and they stood. strong and that's why we're here today.

and they didn't take us seriously um. over at the executive branch or in the. Senate because they always thought they. could flip one of these women. They. could convince them or control them or. intimidate them into taking their names. off of this petition, but they did not. succeed. This is a victory for those. women and women all over the country. today. And I'm just glad to be a part of. it. With that, I want to introduce my. colleague MARJORIE TAYLOR GREEN. >> [cheering]. >> THANK YOU, THOMAS. THANK YOU, RO. I woke.

up this morning and I turned to my. weather app to check the temperature and. it was 32°. and my first thought was hell has froze. over. [laughter]. I want to speak. goodness and love and hope into the. women standing behind me and all of the. other survivors. whose names you don't even know but. stand with these women.

They are survivors and they are strong. and they are courageous and they are. daughters of God. They are not victims. These women have fought the most. horrific fight that no woman should have. to fight. And they did it by banding. together and never giving up. And that's. what we did by fighting so hard against. the most powerful people in the world, even the president of the United States,

in order to make this vote happen today. I was called a traitor by a man that I. fought for five, no actually six years. for. And I gave him my loyalty for free. I won my first election without his. endorsement, beating eight men in a. primary. And I've never owed him. anything, but I fought for him for the. policies and for America first. and he.

called me a traitor for standing with. these women and refusing to take my name. off the discharge petition. Let me tell. you what a traitor is. A traitor is a is. an American that serves foreign. countries. and themselves. A patriot is an American. that serves the United States of America. and Americans like the women standing. behind me. And I want to tell you that this only.

became possible today because the. American people whom we serve. as representatives here in Congress. demanded that this vote happen. And they. put more pressure on every single. elected politician in this city than has. ever been put on them. And today you are. going to see probably a unanimous vote. in the House to release the Epstein. files. But the fight, the real fight.

will happen after that. While I want to see every single name. released so that these women don't have. to live in fear and intimidation, which. is something I've had a small taste of. in just the past few days, just a small. taste. They've been living it for years. But the real test will be, will the. Department of Justice release the files. or will it all remain tied up in. investigations? Will the CIA release the files? Will a.

federal judge in New York, sorry, a. judge in New York release the. information? That's information that needs to come. out. And will the list of names that. these women privately hold and they hold. it. because. of their fear in their heart of what. would happen to them if they release it. on their own. Will that list of names. come out? That's the real test. So I want to thank Thomas Massie and Ro.

Connor for your bravery in doing. something doing something that is much. needed in America. crossing the. political aisle that has become bigger. than the Grand Canyon in America. But. these men cross that aisle on behalf of. these women. And that is more of what is needed today. in America than ever in our history. So, thank you so much. Um, who's next? Ro,

I'll let you introduce. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. uh Marre, Representative uh. Green for your your courage and your. your words. Uh before I introduce our. survivors, I just want to say that they. will make their statements and then you. can ask questions of Representative. Massie, myself, or Representative Green. Uh but we do not want uh people asking. uh questions and cross-examining the.

survivors. They're here to tell their. stories and they should be heard by the. American people with respect. Of course, Congressman Massie, myself, and. Congresswoman Green would be happy to. answer questions after that. With that, let me uh introduce uh the uh survivor. who's helped uh organize a lot of this. and we'll be introducing telling her own. story and introducing uh uh the other. survivors. Haley Robson, thank you for. your courage and leadership. >> Absolutely. Thank you all.

Oh, good morning. It's a little chilly. coming from Florida. Not used to it. I. want everybody to take a look. I know. everybody sees us today as grown adults, but we are fighting for the children. that were abandoned and left behind in. the reckoning. This is who you're fighting for. This is. who Congress is fighting for. This is. who the House of Representatives are. fighting for. and hopefully the Senate. will fight for us too. I want to kick.

this off right and I want to address. Marjorie Taylor Green, Thomas, Massie, and Roana. I want to express my. gratitude for all three of you. And I. know Raana, we spoke earlier. This isn't. an incredible thing that I'm watching as. a Republican and this is nonpolitical, but for you to go against your own party. and to be ostracized, there's no place. for political violence. There's no place. for intimidation. And I can say. firsthand stepping out against Epstein. and his crimes against children, we have.

all experienced that ourselves. So for. you to knowingly put yourselves at risk. and put your career at risk is. unbelievable to watch and we are so. grateful. I also want to make a. proposition for Marjorie Taylor Green. because you've been an advocate for. this. If you decide to read those names. on the House floor for immunity, I will. be more than happy, no security needed. I will stand beside you. I will hold. your hand. I will hold your coat in. solidarity with you. And on top of that, I did talk to Prial uh Jop Paulal who.

said she would be more than happy to. read those names too on the floor with. all of us. It's time that we put the. political agendas and party affil uh. affiliations to the side. This is a. human issue. This is about children. There is no place in society for. exploitation, sexual crimes, or. exploitation of women in society. There's no room for it, guys. We're not. having it. And to the president of the United. States of America who is not here today,

I want to send a clear message to you. While I do understand that your position. has changed on the Epstein files and I'm. grateful that you have pledged to sign. this bill, I can't help to be skeptical. of what the agenda is. So, with that. being said, I want to relay this message. to you. I am traumatized. I am not stupid. I am traumatized. I am not stupid. You. have put us through so much stress. The. lockdowns, the halt of these of of these.

procedures that were supposed to have. happened 50 days ago, the Adelita. Grahalva who waited to get sworn in and. then get upset when your own party goes. against you because what is being done. is wrong. It's not right. for your own self-serving purposes. This. is America. This is land of the free. Land of the. free. In 1863, we have a woman on top of. the Capitol building represent freedom. I do not feel free today. I don't know.

if the women behind me feel free today. So, I am begging every member of. Congress, every representative to step. up and choose the chaos. Choose the. survivors. Choose the children. Protect. the children. all children. You protect. all of us equally. Thank you very much for your time. Following that, Lisa Phillips will be. the next survivor.

>> Good morning. My name is Lisa Phillips. It's an honor to stand here again for. something America is finally united on. the immediate release of the entire. Epstein files. In a divided nation, this is one demand. we all share. Last time I stood here, I made a promise.

to all survivors watching. If those in. power refused to release the truth, we. would start uncovering it ourselves. For anyone who doubted that, that moment. has already arrived. Since that day, more survivors across. the country and around the world have. reached out, text, emails, DMs, firsthand accounts, and evidence. Many are women who were abused or. trafficked through the international. modeling pipeline Epste built, promising.

visas, apartments, opportunities, futures, while exploiting their dreams. for abuse. Most are still terrified to speak. publicly because the men involved are. powerful. They're connected and as we. know, they're protected. For too long, survivors have watched. others speak for us. And while we are. grateful for our allies in Congress on. both sides, we've realized something.

This fight belongs to us. We lived it. and we know the truth. And we will not wait quietly for. institutions to decide when we're. allowed to speak. The survivors now. coming forward have entrusted us with. their stories. We are sharing that. information with the proper authorities. and when it can safely be made public, it will be. So today we are launching something. historic. The first national survivorled political. movement in America.

nonpartisan, laser focused on exposing the systems, the loopholes, power structures, and. silencing mechanisms that have protected. predators for far too long. We are stepping directly into the halls. of power, into the political arena. We will help rewrite laws that failed us. and build protections for our nation's. children together targeted by sexual.

exploitation. Together today, survivors begin our own. fight, the survivor revolution. And we intend to change this nation for. the better. If you're a survivor who wants to join. us, please reach out. And to anyone who benefits from the. current system, intentionally or not,

remember this. Alone, yes, we are. afraid, but together we are feared. >> Thank you. >> Hello everybody. I am Jenna Lisa Jones. and just as Haley I would just like to. give a little reminder that this was me. at 14 years old. I was a child. I was in. 9th grade. I was.

hopeful for life and what the future had. held for me. He stole a lot from me uh. by at 14. So just a little reminder. there for everybody. Sorry. So, um. [snorts]. I just want to start out by saying thank. you for all of you for being here today. I want to start by expressing my deepest. gratitude to the members of Congress who.

have stood with us, the survivors, and. demanding the transparency and justice. Your support is a signal that this. institution can still serve the American. people. This issue was never one that. should have divided us the way it has. In fact, it should have united us. Sexual abuse is not a Republican issue. This it is not a de or a democratic. issue. It is not a it is also not a. hoax. We are here as American survivors. of a man who used his wealth and power.

to hurt young girls and women. The world should see the files to know. who Jeffrey Epstein was and how the. system catered to him and failed us. Emotionally, this process has been. distressing. First, the administration. said it would release everything and. applauded President Trump for that. Then, it fought to release nothing. Now. that that that now that that checks and. balances of our dem democ democracy have.

worked and the bill is getting passed to. release the files. We are hearing the. administration say they intend to. investigate various Democrat Democrats. who were friends with Epstein. I beg. you, President Trump, please stop making. this political. It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some. class. Show some real leadership. Show. that you actually care about the people. other than yourself. I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been.

an national embarrassment. It is time to take the honest moral. ground and support the release of these. files. not to weaponize pieces of the. files against random political enemies. that did nothing wrong, but to. understand who Epstein's friends were, who covered for him, what financial. institutions allowed his trafficking to. continue, who knew what he was doing, but was too much of a coward to do.

anything about it. Jeffrey Epstein and Glain Maxwell were. able to recruit and abuse young girls. and women, then the country will learn no. the country will learn nothing and has. horrible history will repeat itself if. we do not do something about this. Thank. you to the brave congressmen and women. who have stood by us and recognize our. side is the American side and we should. all be proud once again to be Americans. I want to just extend my thank you so.

much to all three of you very very much. The first time we were here listening to. uh people yell shame at you and when she. was here in support of us really hit. home and spoke some volumes and I just. and [laughter]. very much appreciable of um your support. and and we stand by you. Don't let any. of them bully you. We're we're here for. you. >> Thank you guys. [applause]. Wow. Good morning everyone. Thank you.

all so much for coming together today. and taking the time to listen to us. Your presence means the world and it. shows commitment to understanding and. supporting survivors and Americans. I. stand before you today with a heavy. heart. I originated from Brazil and I. come I came to the United States when I. was 8 years old. I was only 14 when I. first encountered Jeffrey Epstein, and. my daughter is now almost at that age. At 14, the only things she should be.

concerned with are going to school, practicing at her cheerleading. competitions, and enjoying her time with. her friends and family. She should not. have to bear the burden of worrying. about being manipulated or exploited. At. this age, she is still a child, and no. child should ever have to face such such. threats. I also want to address a. trouble state a troubling statement made. by a prominent figure on a major. platform who suggested that a.

14-year-old should not be considered. victim of pedophilia. This is a. dangerous and incorrect notion. When we. talk about how children at 14 should. still be treated as children, I ask you. to look at the young people around you. Remember when you were that age? Do you. think you should have been responsible. for being groomed? put yourselves in our. position when we were young. I'm here. today not to just share my story, but to. call on all of you to help make a. difference. We need to support to push.

for the Transparency Act and release the. Epstein files. Please reach out to your. Congress members and senators and urge. them to support this crucial. legislation. The truth is something that. we all deserve and it is vital for. safety and protection of a future of. generations. Think about all the young people in your. life. Your daughters, your nieces, your. friends. Let's stand together and ensure. that they grow up in a world where they. are safe and valued. I often wondered.

why did this happen to me? And then I. realized. God only gives you what you can handle. I'm here for a purpose and that purpose. is to make a difference today. So, let's stand together to protect our. children and our peace. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. Um, I want to say a few.

things before I begin. My speech may not. be great. It was thrown together last. minute as I only came here uh decided. Friday when one of us who has spoken. several times. decided she couldn't come because of the. threats. She was too scared. So I want. to say when you threaten one of us, you're threatening all of us. >> Y. >> we are together now and that's never.

going to change. This is me at 16 when I met Jeffrey. Epstein. Now start. It is an honor to stand here before the. American people. However, I shouldn't. have to stand here at all. I'm here. because as a child, I was pulled into. Jeffrey Epstein's world. a world built. on exploitation and manipulation of. innocents and the protection of powerful.

men and women who believed that they. were untouchable. Today, we'd rather be preparing for the. holidays. We'd rather be at home with. our families baking with our children. and decorating the Christmas tree as we. try to move past this horrific moment. that has impacted our entire adult. lives. However, that's not possible because. it's become something it should have. never been. Political and. sensationalized. The truth is simple. We were victimized.

as children and failed. repeatedly by the very system that was. supposed to protect us. That's why we. stand here today to demand justice and. accountability not just for Epstein and. his crimes, but for every predator and. every enabler who participates in or. protects abusers. The Epstein case was gravely mishandled. consistently and deliberately over many. years. Epstein could have been stopped. decades ago, but instead he was able to. continue his abuse, even during his.

sweetheart deal. Yes, with his ankle. monitor on and beyond. A deal that protected him and silenced. us. While I was a child fighting to. survive what happened to us, federal. prosecutors were negotiating ways to. shield powerful adults. And the failures didn't stop there. Our. civil cases were met with hostile judges. and delay tactics, intimidation, and PR. campaigns designed to smear us in the.

public eye. We were treated as problems. to be managed instead of victims to be. protected. Today, something has changed. Individually, our voices were whispers. Together, they've become impossible to. ignore. We are encouraged to see elected. officials from both parties. Thank you. Come together and finally take action to. release the files. I'll leave it there. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Wendy and I'm standing here. today with a truth that still scares me. to say out loud. I'm going to put this. down cuz I can't hold both as you guys. saw. But that was me when I was 14 when. I met Jeffrey Epstein. None of us here signed up for this. political warfare. We never asked to be.

dragged into battles between people who. never protected us in the first place. We are exhausted from surviving the. trauma and then surviving the politics. that swirl around it. When survivors. travel to speak, to advocate, to stand. for the truth, we do it with our own. money, from our own pockets, carrying our own. fear, shaking in our own bodies. There. is no team. There is no paycheck. It's.

just us hoping our voices make a. difference. And it puts a pit right in. your stomach because you know you're. standing on the right side of history. >> But standing on the right side of. history is not a comfortable place to. be. >> It never has been. And in a sick, heartbreaking way, it's an honor. An. honor to show up. An honor to speak. here. and an honor to stand in light. where when the world tried to keep us in. the dark and what keeps me standing is.

even with all this fear I have a. 14-year-old daughter myself the same age. I was and when I look at her I see the. little girl I used to be the one that no. one protected my greatest fear in this. entire world is history repeating itself. and I will do anything absolutely. anything to make sure that she has to. never be one of these girls standing in. front of a crowd like this today in her. life. So today, from the safest and.

bravest places inside myself, I am. asking Congress, please pass the bill. Please release the. records. Stop making survivors fight. alone for the truth that should have. protected us in this first place. To the representatives that support us, thank you. Thank you for standing beside. survivors so we don't have to face this. fear alone. Thank you for choosing what. is right over what is easy. And every.

survivor who is scared right now, your. fear is real. Your courage is real. And. even though we're terrified, we keep. showing up because someone has to tell. the truth. Someone has to protect these. children. We deserve safety then. We. deserved it now. or we deserve it now. and we are done being afraid so others. can stay comfortable. So with that I. want to say thank you guys for having. us. Um, and I just hope that uh people.

can remember that. as survivors um your our story never. leaves us. But um the choice that you. make to. pass this bill, your you career is in. front of you and that choice will follow. you. Everybody will know. So thank you. >> Good job. You're incredible.

>> Hello everybody. My name is Danny. Bensky. This was me at 17 years old. >> Oh, coming from the dance world, I was. recruited in 2004 after a systematic. breaking down where Epstein leveraged my. mother's brain tumor scans. Um, he. threatened me to withhold care for her. He trapped me in a year-long cycle of.

abuse. The last time I was here in Washington. DC, I talked about being a part of this. beautiful mosaic of women behind me. And. they are exactly that. They are a. beautiful mosaic of energy and passion. and love and life. I am one story of a thousand. You think. of that number, a thousand. I spoke of how big our hopes and dreams. once were and I talked about how they. were completely shattered at the hands. of Gayen Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.

Now I look at this amazing community. behind me. They are survivor sisters. We are. together. We stand together in this and. I realize that we are a representation. of women across America. We come from different backgrounds. We. have different religions. We are. different races, different creeds, different ethnicities. We have different. political affiliations. Some of us don't. want to be political at all. And yet, we.

stand here together for this cause. We're united. in the call for transparency, complete. transparency, to find justice. Justice. for our younger selves. These pictures. that you see, they're real people. I. wish I could go back and give my former. self a hug and say this matters and it's. going to change and mean it. We are standing here for justice for the.

youth of tomorrow and justice for those. who are no longer with us like the. beautiful brave Virginia Gupre. [snorts]. We understand that the road is long but. I implore you to stay the course please. living in an age where you can get news. in 10-second clips on your phone. I know. that this is a big task for us. Um, but. it's a very personal one for survivors. It's a very personal one for us as a. country. So, I'd like to ask you to try.

something right now. I'd like you I'd. like everybody to close their eyes or. soften their gaze just for a moment. And. I want everybody to think of a child. that is close to them between the ages. of 14 and 18 years old. It could be your. daughter. It could be your niece. It. could be a friend's kids. It could be. you at a former age. It could be your. mother at a at that age. But really. envision that for a second. 14 to 18. years old. Once you think of that person, I want. you to think about what they feel like. What is their energy? What do they smell.

like? What sound do they make when they. laugh? Really think about that child. just for a moment. Now, I want you to picture a pair of. giant looming wooden doors and an. overbearing marble landing. Those are. the doors to Jeffrey Epstein's house. Do. you allow that child to enter or not? If. the answer is yes, you would allow. entrance. You stand with predators. If. the answer is no, then congratulations. You're on the right side of justice. Now, you have homework. I I am calling.

for the American people. You have. homework. Call your Congress. congressional leaders. Call your senators. Please support this. bill. Let's get it all released. Thank. you very much. >> Good morning. My name is Annie Farmer and this is a. photo of me and my sister Maria Farmer.

around the time I was 16 and she was 25. That's how old we were when we were. abused by Epstein and Maxwell. Survivor survivors have repeatedly. stated that our pursuit of transparency. and justice is a nonpartisan issue. But. given the political noise surrounding. this case, I just want to remind people. of some of the facts. In 1996, when my sister Maria bravely. blew the whistle on this group by. reporting to the FBI what Epstein and.

Maxwell did to both of us, they hung up. on the the phone on her and there was no. follow-up of any kind. Bill Clinton was. president. In 2006, the FBI came to us, finally. interviewed us, and asked us both to be. witnesses against Epstein. We were very. anxious, but we agreed. And then we. didn't hear back from them due to their. infamous sweetheart deal. George W. Bush. was president. in 2015 when the DOJ was sent foyer. requests for Maria's FBI files and they.

were denied as they have been many. times. Barack Obama was president. In 2019, when Epstein died in prison due. to either negligence or foul play, Donald Trump was president. In 2023, Maria's attorneys sent a letter. on her behalf to the government, requesting an investigation into the. repeated law enforcement failures in. this case, similar to what was done in. the case of Larry Nassar. They declined. to do so. Consequently, my sister filed.

notice that she would be suing the. government for failing to uphold its. legal, ethical, and moral duties. In. this case, Joe Biden was president. This year, after campaigning on a pledge. to finally release the files under. Trump's second presidency, the DOJ. announced they were closing the. investigation into Epstein's. co-conspirators and then transferred. Gilen Maxwell into a prison camp where. it is well documented that she is. receiving special treatment. >> This is not an issue of a few corrupt.

Democrats or a few corrupt Republicans. This is a case of institutional. betrayal. >> Yeah. >> Because these crimes were not properly. investigated, so many more girls and. women were harmed. My sister, because of. her bravery, was repeatedly threatened. and lived in fear with dire consequences. for her health and her career. 30 years later, even as oceans of. allegations and obvious truths have. emerged, the government has still not. chosen transparency. This is why we have.

all come together as one united voice to. demand the release of all the Epstein. files and to finally bring the truth out. of the shadows.

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members. of Congress and everyone gathered here. today. I want to start by thanking the three of. you. Thank you. Um it takes a lot of bravery to do what. you're doing. We hear you. We see you. It means a lot for you to be here with. us and I know my sister would be. incredibly proud. This is the moment she. was fighting for and the moment that all. survivors are fighting for. So, thank. you. >> [snorts]. >> My name is Sky Roberts.

and I stand before you as the brother. of Virginia Roberts Du Fray, a warrior, a mother and a sister whose. legacy will forever resonate in the. hearts of those who understand the fight. against injustice. Today we find ourselves in a place of. deep sorrow, shattered by the loss of our beloved. sister. Yet, we are are honored and privileged.

to carry her voice forward [snorts] and. continue her relentless fight alongside. her fellow survivor sisters. Virginia's story is one that should have. been filled with promise, but instead it. became a harrowing tale of exploitation. and [snorts] survival. At just 16 years old, she took a job at Mara Largo, believing. she had secured a dream summer position.

But [snorts] that dream quickly morphed. into a nightmare when Glain Maxwell. prayed upon her innocence. This isn't just a story of one girl. It's a story about the insidious nature. of power and abuse. A dark chapter in. our society that must be told. >> [snorts]. >> Virginia was no stranger to trauma. In. her memoir, Nobody's Girl, she shares. the painful truth that she had already. suffered abuse at the hands of our.

father. and a family friend. But what happened next was unfathomable. Epstein and Maxwell didn't just abuse. her. They trafficked her to a network of. the rich and powerful. Princes, prime. ministers, politicians, financiers, and. lawyers. These men committed unspeakable acts. against her, against her will, and. against the will of countless survivors.

who stand united with us today. Virginia's strength was tested in many. ways. that most of us can hardly imagine. She [snorts] was manipulated, coerced, and threatened, forced into complicity. and her own devastation. [snorts] She often spoke of. psychological scars that ran deeper than. the physical ones. From the start, she wrote, [snorts] "They manipulated me into.

participating in behaviors that ate away. at me, eroding my ability to comprehend. reality and preventing me from defending. myself. The most destructive wound they. inflicted was that of forced complicity, a betrayal of self that was crafted by. her abusers. But I stand here today to declare that. their tactics of fear and intimidation. did not work. Virginia's spirit could not be broken.

She became a beacon of hope, a warrior, fighting not just for herself, but for. every survivor who suffered in silence. She said, "I felt it was my duty to. stand up to predators like Epstein and. Maxwell. I would put my neck on the line. to make sure my daughter never has to go. through what I had to endure.". [snorts]. These survivors like Virginia have.

transformed into mothers and strong. women fierce in the face of adversity. Many of them have daughters the same age. they were when they faced their own. abuse. >> [snorts]. >> They are determined to break the cycle. to shatter the silence that has kept so. many in the shadows. Virginia quoted in her memoir. There I. was as the mother of three children. I. felt it was my duty to stand up to. predators like Epstein and Maxwell.

I said I mentioned to Ellie in. particular, her daughter, I would put my neck on the line. >> [snorts]. >> to make sure she never has to go through. what I had to go through. I said joining Edward's CV case [snorts]. said I what I would want somebody to do. for my daughter or sister and friend in. the end I said I was just trying to do. the right thing. That's what I felt like.

I'm doing. I said, "I'm making a small dent. in this big world. we live in.". [snorts]. Well, [snorts]. you didn't just make a small dent.

You made a monumental impact, [snorts]. a resounding statement that echoed. across the world. You [snorts] built an. unbreakable wall, a barrier that will. protect future generations from the. horrors of abuse. As we gather here today, I urge each of. you, members of Congress, [snorts]. advocates, and all those who hear this. message to join us in this fight. We.

demand justice, accountability, and. support for survivors. And we keep getting asked this. What. does justice mean, you ask? It starts. with acknowledgement. That's the first. step. Acknowledge in the face of survivors. that this happened and that this is. true. Your vote carries that weight. My [snorts] sister is not a political. tool for you to use. These survivors are not political tools.

for you to use. These [snorts] are real. stories, real trauma, and it's time for. you to stop just talking about it and. act. Vote yes. Virginia's legacy is not just hers. It. belongs to all of us who stand against. injustice. Together, we will ensure that. the voices of survivors are heard, that. the truth prevails, and that the horrors.

of the past are never repeated. Thank you. Thank you for listening, and. thank you for standing with us. Together, we will not let Virginia's. fight be in vain. Together, we will not. let the predators win. Together, we will. be the change this world desperately. needs. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> That was so beautiful.

>> This is me when I met Jeffrey Epstein in. 1991. I always share the date when I talk. about my story because people rarely. rarely acknowledge how long this has. actually been going on. And for too long, truth has been buried, survivors have been silenced, and. powerful people have been protected. And today we stand in a moment that will. decide whether our government still.

belongs to the American people. or to those who pray on them. Because when mountains of evidence and. decades of victim reports across five. administrations. still lead to sweetheart deals or no. prosecution. at all, this isn't just one case gone. wrong. It's an institutional failure on a. historic scale and every member of. Congress and this administration must.

answer for that failure. Millions of sexual abuse survivors know. the pain of speaking up and watching the. institutions that are meant to protect. them look away. We We're not alone in. this. Epstein may be the headline, but the. betrayal reaches every corner of our. country. And if our justice system. can collapse this completely for so. long, then Congress cannot pretend that.

the system is working. Not for us and not for the generations. that will live with the consequences of. what they choose. Now, one long overdue step towards repairing. this damage is the Epstein Files. Transparency Act. Because without transparency, there's no. accountability. Without accountability, there is no. justice. And without justice,

democracy dies. >> Yeah. >> So, representatives, you have a choice. To show millions of Americans whether. you stand with us. or with the powerful predators that are. counting on your complicity. Thank you. >> Yeah. Good job. Good morning.

This is me. This was me. My name is Charlene Roshard. And I stand. before you today not as a victim of. rumor or conspiracy, but as a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's. abuse. Far too long, survivors like me have. been dismissed, silenced, or told that.

our pain was exaggerated or fabricated. Let me be clear. This is not a hoax. >> Yes, it's not. >> What we endured. was real. and it has scarred lives across five. presidential administrations. The truth has been buried in sealed. files and hidden records for far too.

long. The Epstein Files Transparency Act is. not just about survivors. It's about America. How can we keep America great if the. principles the nation was founded on. that power belongs to the people is not. protected? No one, no matter how wealthy and. well-connected, stands above the law. If. we cannot face the truth, then we betray.

the very ideals that defines us as a. country. By passing this act, Congress has the. chance to prove that truth matters more. than privilege. >> Yes. >> That justice matters more than. influence. And that America has the courage to. confront even the most uncomfortable. realities. This is not just about survivors. It's.

about every American who believes in. accountability, fairness, and the promise of justice. I stand here today not only for myself, but for every survivor of Jeffrey. Epstein's abuse who has carried this. burden in silence and for every citizen. who believes that justice delayed is. justice denied.

>> I want to thank representatives Ro. Connor and Thomas Massie for standing. with us. Thank you. >> And I especially. want to thank Representative Marjorie. Taylor Green. Her unwavering support, her courage to. stand with us and demand transparency. gives us strength. Thank you. It shows that this fight for.

accountability is bigger than politics. It's about humanity, justice, and truth. This is about America's future. It's about whether we, the people, will. be heard when we have the courage to. stand for truth and justice. Our voices are real. Our pain is real. And our demand for justice will not be.

silenced. Thank you. Amen. Hello. >> Good for you, girl. You did amazing. >> My name is Laura Bloom McGee. This is my. first time speaking publicly about my. abuse. As a one young woman in New York. City, I was pursuing a modeling career. and building a life of giving back. through my philanthrop work. Instead, I.

was intentionally groomed and became. part of an international model sex. trafficking ring that led was led by. Jeffrey Epstein. I was sexually and. mentally abused by Jeffrey Epste. He. used my dreams and vulnerabilities to. silence me. Today, I am here to break that silence. Sex trafficking and sexual abuse are. crimes against human beings, not political talking points. For too.

long, Epstein's abuse was an open secret. with his network remained protected. Evil thrives in darkness. We must shine. a light on every corner where it hides. Nothing should be off limits in the. search for truth. Please vote that everything in the files. be released. Let investigations proceed without. obstruction. Demand oversight and. deliver justice. The government must. never side with predators. I come as one survivor, but I stand here.

for everyone who prayed for me, who. believed in me, and who hoped for me. To. my fellow survivors, your courage. brought me here. We are more than. victims. We are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends. This is not a hoax and. we will not be erased. Shame on any. elected official who obstructs truth and. justice for the American people. Thank. you. >> Amen, my girl. My name is Liz Stein.

In 1994, I was a senior in college, just. 21 years old. I had aspirations of. attending law school after graduation, and it looked like I had a bright future. and had ahead of me. 1994 was also the. year I met Gileain Maxwell and Jeffrey. Epstein. My involvement with them changed the. trajectory of my entire life. The Epstein files are not about loyalty.

to any one political party. They are evidence of a crime. We stand here today victims of the crime. of sex trafficking. I'm here today speaking both for my. 21-year-old self and for the countless. number of people who have experienced. sexual violence. When I am asked what I would tell my.

younger self if I could say something, I. say that I would tell myself to tell. someone. And if they don't listen, to tell. someone else and to just keep telling. until someone listens. And even if. nobody listens to you, you should be. proud of yourself because you stood in. your uncomfortable truth when others. could not. And that is true bravery.

We stand here today as survivors, part. of a sorority that none of us asked to. join. We have told our stories over and. over and over. Now, it's time to see who was listening. We ask that you vote to release the. files, all of them, so the victims of. this crime can finally see justice. Thank you. >> Amen. >> Good boy, girl.

Well, hello everyone and I want to first. say thank you uh for your ongoing. leadership. I know it must not uh be. easy thing to do. Uh much like it's not. easy for us to be doing this. So I guess. we're in this together. So thank you so. much. I I feel like our courage has, you.

know, we're reflecting, mirroring. courage because that's what it takes to. do this, right? So, this was me at uh 22 years old. I. was not a child technically. uh very young adult. I imagine most of. you here can relate to the mindset and. uh to be 22 years old. So today is a good day and I thank God.

for that. It's widely and undeniably political uh. clear that our. current political climate is quite rigid. and seemingly at war with one another. This sets it sets a stage. This sets a stage for voices, survivor voices to get spoken over and.

drowned out. by the political darts whizzing by. Not today, though. Today our truth and our power have. steadily risen up. We are at the peak. Our voices prevail today.

Our voices initiated the coming together. of both political parties. That's pretty big. I think. Republicans and Democrats, we all stand together today. We all. stand together for justice, and we must continue to do so to protect. the integrity of our country and our. democracy.

Truth and justice must prevail. The. children today are those that will lead. this nation one day. Think about that. What does that mean to. each of you? If anyone doubts that this does not. directly contribute. to the fate of our country and. democracy, I challenge you and I urge you to think. again.

Our voices. are a fundamental pillar. of future generations. today. That's what we stand here for. Accountability, action, and justice. Let's get this vote done today. Let's send it through the Senate. and straight to President Trump's desk.

for signing. I'd like to be there that day that he. signs. I'm sure all of us would like to. be there. [laughter]. >> Today is a good day. and let's keep moving forward. >> Thank you so much. >> I just want to give you a hug. >> Okay. >> Hey guys, we're actually pressed for. time. So, we are not going to be taking.

questions going further. I bring back. Roana. He's going to do closing argu our. closing conversation and comments. >> Well, thank you, Hilly. Teresa is right. It's pretty big what the survivors have. accomplished today. And I just want to. say how eloquent, strong, and admirable. they were. Let's give them a round of. applause for their courage. Thomas and Marjorie and I will take a.

few questions from people. is basically right now calling on the. Senate to make revisions to this bill. because he says it doesn't adequately. protect the survivors, the victims that. are standing behind you. Your response. to that? >> That's been a red herring all along. uh. the survivors have always been in favor. of this legislation and there's a. provision in there you can read if if he. would just read it that protects them. Now if he wants to offer more.

protections in the Senate that that's. fine with us but here's the problem now. we have to vote on it again in the House. and so as you heard justice delayed is. justice denied. I it could be just. another delay tactic, but we want to. >> Is that what you think? That's the. motivation for. >> I think I think the speaker uh wants to. save face. He's going to vote for a. piece of legislation today that he's. disparaged for 4 months. And if however. he needs to come on board, we want him. on board. So we appreciate that.

>> What do you say? What do you say to. Andrew? >> Go ahead. Uh, how do you say today that. Andrew Maten wins of a man all the way. over as Prince Andrew? >> Well, you know, there's becoming a. reckoning in Britain that needs to. happen in the United States. A prince. lost his title. The ambassador to the. United States lost his job. We need to. see those same kind of consequences. here. As my colleague Rose said, there. shouldn't be buildings named after these.

perpetrators of these heinous crimes. There shouldn't be scholarships named. after them and there needs to be. accounting. We've seen tens of thousands. of pages released by the oversight. committee. What we've not seen is a. single name. So I implore you to to look. and see if we really have true justice. and transparency. and the survivors. The survivors will. know when that is happening. who does need to come and testify at our.

oversight committee and that can be. bipartisan. I share Thomas's view that. the urgency that the British people have. shown in uh getting justice needs to. inspire an urgency here in America. Is that frustrating? >> Look, I I I'll let my colleague speak. I.

I hope the president meets the survivors. and I hope when he signs the bill, the. survivors are there. I don't care if I'm. there, Counc, but the survivors should be there. But I. look and I hope he meets them because I. think if anyone who meets them and sees. their emotion will be moved and my my. goal is to get justice here. So, I hope. uh he will meet them and really hear. what's happened and and and actually. take action. But the broader point is.

yes, the president could order the. Justice Department to release the files, but what's in a constitutional. democracy, what we're supposed to have. is Congress says that the files should. be released and then it's not on the. whim of any president. Then the Justice. Department is compelled to release those. files because that's the law. Did you open to any Republicans in the. Senate who were looking to, you know, move this forward? >> So, Senator Merkeley is a Democrat. He's. led the exact same legislation that Ro. and I introduced in the House. Uh, one.

Republican co-sponsored his bill. yesterday, and I have spoken to at least. one more who says they will co-sponsor. The important thing about the Senate is. that they need not to mock this bill up. We've There's a lot of attention on. here. We've needlessly spent four months. dragging this out. A representative, a. duly elected representative was denied. her seat in Congress for 49 days, and. it's time to pull the band-aid off. The. Senate, you know, it may be tempting for.

them to get cute and to do things um. that will limit the release of these. documents. They are afraid that people. will be embarrassed. Well, that's the. whole point here. They need to be. brought to justice and embarrassment is. no reason to stop it. So the Senate, John Bo, it's up to him. He needs to. bring this to the floor of the Senate. and I think the the vote today will show. that in the House. >> The president, look, the president has. said he would sign the bill. You're. going to get almost a unanimous vote.

here. So you have the president and a. unanimous Congress uh believing that. this is protects the survivors and is. calling for the release. There's no. reason for the Senate now uh to, as. Representative Massie puts it, vote muck. around with it. They need to put it up, have a vote, have the president sign it. Uh if there's any further protections, they they can do that through the the. DOJ process, but what they should not do. is delay a vote on a bill that the House. is going to vote overwhelmingly or that.

the president supports. Green, you raised the question of. whether or not the Justice Department. will actually release these files. Do. you take the president at his work when. he says he's going to sign this bill? Do. you have confidence that these files. will actually be released? I only take people's actions seriously. No longer works. And what do you think. the president? >> And I'll I'll tell you cuz I'm I wasn't. a Johnny come late to the MAGA train. I.

was day one 2015. And there's a big. difference in those Americans and those. that that decided to support President. Trump later on. And I'll tell you right. now, this has been one of the most. destructive things to MAGA is watching. the man that we supported early on three. elections. for people that stood hours, slept in. their cars to go to rallies.

um have fought for truth and. transparency and and to hold what we. consider a corrupt government. accountable. Watching this actually turn into a fight. has ripped MAGA apart. And um the only. thing that will speak to the. powerful, courageous women behind me is. when action is actually taken to release. these files. and the American people.

won't tolerate any other. That's where we are today. >> And then we're around all day. >> Is this a a water shed? How would you. sum up today in terms of your battle to. get to the truth? I would say that these survivors have. been fighting for decades and they. finally are being heard by the American. people and we're finally going to have a. reckoning for this epste class that has.

gotten away with horrific things. Look, I I grew up in in in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. People went to church. They played little league. They went to. their neighbors for barbecue. They. didn't go to a great violence and abuse. young girls or traffic young girls. and. people with extreme wealth uh have. thought that the laws don't apply to. them and their culture is totally out of. touch with the values that filled with. America and finally we're going to have. a recog how how worried are you? >> Let me ask you this. You said you wanted. this to go straight to the Senate. What.

message does it send to the survivors. behind you if the Senate doesn't act. quickly to move this forward? >> Well, they're not you're they're not. going to answer questions. So, I'll. answer questions. Uh I prefer actually. it goes straight to the president. He. can release these files without the. Senate acting. Sometimes they take a. long time to get things done. The House. figured out four four a way to take 4. months to get this done. Uh I think it's. disrespectful to the survivors if they. delay this. There's nothing more.

important than cleaning out the rot in. this country and this is rot and it's. not a partisan issue and the senators. need to get on this. Yes, the economy is. important. Yes, international policy is. important. But there's nothing more. important than getting to this rot and. cleaning it up. They should put it at. the top of their agenda. >> The bill already that would allow the. DOJ to to not release certain. information if it would jeopardize an. active investigation. And the president. has just last week ordered his DOJ to.

conduct an investigation. What makes you. think you would actually if this bill. passes see these files? See them? >> There are there are a thousand. survivors. They can't open enough. investigations to cover up everything. that's in these files. And yes, it's. true. They can try to protect a few. certain people or a few certain. companies, but those investigations will. eventually end. And in the meantime, you. just there's not enough investigations. to cover up a thousand different crimes, a thousand different rapes, a thousand. different sex trafficking instances. And.

this is not a moot point. Even though. they are doing that once once this bill. is signed into law, any career official. at the DOJ or the FBI who does not. comply with the law uh is at legal risk. It's no longer just up to the president. We could have we could have passed a. simple resolution here in the House and. that would have been the end of it. Instead, we chose a very hard path path. which is to get legislation a law passed. which means it has to go through the.

house, the senate and be presented to. the president and that will have the. force of law. They will be breaking the. law if they do not release these files. >> President has fought so far. these files. Why do you think he has. fought so hard? If he could do it now, why hasn't he done it now? >> I I believe he's trying to protect. friends and donors. And by the way, these aren't necessarily Republicans. Once you get to a billion dollars, you s. you transcend parties. You just assume.

you can pay off whatever party is in. charge of the White House, whatever. party is in charge of the House of. Representatives. And u this is about. those kinds of people. I think he's been. trying to protect them. And I think it. also incriminates our own government. This is a complete and total failure of. the justice system as the survivors have. have witnessed here today to us. It. incriminates the FBI. It incriminates. our intelligence agencies. It. incriminates police departments in West.

Palm Beach. And that's what has been. protected by this either willfully or or. unknowingly. And it's time to end it. I. would agree with Representative Mars. that what matters now is just the. action. I don't speculate on what. politicians motives are or what's in. their heart. The point is the American. people have spoken. Congress has spoken. Release the files. It's time for. justice. Thank you very much. [cheering].

survivors right there that just wrapped. up. You had Democratic Congress member. Ro Kana, Republican Congress member. Thomas Massie, and you had Marjgery. Taylor Green, formerly uh of Trump's. MAGA movement. you saw during that press. conference as we heard from the. survivors. I think even a different tone. than the first one as it relates to. Trump and this current regime. During.

the first press conference a few months. back, I think that there was some level. of hope and optimism the files were. going to get released. That's when at. least Donald Trump was saying out loud. although we knew he was lying that he. was going to release the files and uh. starting at that press conference though. also although I believe it's obviously. started much earlier than that you'll. recall he did the the fly over uh with. the jets that kind of uh was an.

intimidation tactic against the. survivors and then just relentlessly. that day and afterwards calling what. they were doing calling what was done to. them, calling the Epstein child sex. trafficking ring and sex trafficking. ring a hoax. And he kept on saying this. is a hoax. They're hoax, hoax, hoax, hoax, hoax. And so today, when you heard. from survivors, they were pissed at the. way this regime has handled this. And. you know, I was struck by the fact, and.

I'm sure you heard it also, that there. were vote people who voted for Trump. amongst these survivors, like a few um. of the of the group that spoke today. and they were livid at the betrayal. Um, also the words from Marjgerie Taylor. Green, I think, were stronger against. Trump. She basically called him a. traitor um than I think anybody expected. uh that to be. Um, let's just go. through, you know, the the highlights, if you will, of what went down uh for.

those who join later. Um, I'll try to. take you through what uh what some of. the most powerful moments, although this. entire hour and 20 minutes was, I think, very, very powerful. First clip I'm. going to show you is from one of the. survivors who speaking directly to. Donald Trump and saying, "I may be. traumatized, but I'm not stupid. The. amount of stress you've put us through. is abhorrent." Here, play this clip. President of the United States of. America who is not here today. I want to.

send a clear message to you. While I do. understand that your position has. changed on the Epstein files and I'm. grateful that you have pledged to sign. this bill, I can't help to be skeptical. of what the agenda is. So, with that. being said, I want to relay this message. to you. I am traumatized. I am not stupid. I am. traumatized. I am not stupid. You have. put us through so much stress. The. lockdowns, the halt of these of of these.

procedures that were supposed to have. happened 50 days ago, the Adalita. Grahalva who waited to get sworn in and. then get upset when your own party goes. against you because what is being done. is wrong. It's not right. For your own self-s serving purposes, this is America. This is land of the free. Land of the. free. In 1863, we have a woman on top of. the Capitol building represent freedom. I do not feel free today. I don't know.

if the women behind me feel free today. So, I am begging every member of. Congress, every representative to step. up and choose the chaos. Choose the. survivors. Choose the children. Protect. the children. All children. You protect. all of us equally. Then we heard from another survivor who. spoke directly to Donald Trump saying, "I beg you, stop making this political.

This isn't about you. Why are you making. this about you?" Here, play this clip. >> That that that now that that checks and. balances of our dem democ democracy have. worked and the bill is getting passed to. release the files. We are hearing the. administration say they intend to. investigate various Democrat Democrats. who were friends with Epstein. I beg. you, President Trump, please stop making. this political. It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some.

class. Show some real leadership. Show. that you actually care about the people. other than yourself. I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been. an national embarrassment. It is time to take the honest moral. ground and support the release of these. files. Not to weaponize pieces of the. files against random political enemies. that did nothing wrong, but to. understand who Epstein's friends were,

who covered for him, what financial. institutions allowed his trafficking to. continue, who knew what he was doing, but was too much of a coward to do. anything about it. Wow. Now, here's what Marjorie Taylor. Green had to say. Let's play it. >> I was called a traitor by a man that I. fought for five, no, actually six years. for, and I gave him my loyalty for free.

I won my first election without his. endorsement, beating eight men in a. primary. and I've never owed him anything, but I. fought for him for the policies and for. America first. And he called me a. traitor for standing with these women. and refusing to take my name off the. discharge petition. Let me tell you what. a traitor is. A traitor is a is an. American that serves foreign countries. and themselves. A patriot is an American.

that serves the United States of America. and Americans like the women standing. behind me. And I want to tell you that this only. became possible today because the. American people whom we serve. as representatives here in Congress. demanded that this vote happen. and they. put more pressure on every single. elected politician in this city than has.

ever been put on them. And today you are. going to see probably a unanimous vote. in the House to release the Epstein. files, but the fight, the real fight. will happen after that. >> Democratic Congress member Ro Kana. talked about how significant today was. as a day of real reckoning. here. Play. this clip. >> Today uh is the first day of real.

reckoning for the Epstein class. We're. here to stand with forgotten and. abandoned Americans against an Epstein. class that had no regard for the rules. or the laws. >> We heard from another survivor, Annie. Farmer. Also, her sister Marie Farmer. was sexually assaulted by Jeffrey. Epstein. Farmer was speaking about how. under Trump's second presidency, the DOJ.

announced it was closing its. investigation, then moved Gileain. Maxwell from a maximum security facility. into a minimum security facility, and. then have been treating her like it's a. five-star resort. Here, play this clip. This year, after campaigning on a pledge. to finally release the files under. Trump's second presidency, the DOJ. announced they were closing the. investigation into Epstein's. co-conspirators and then transferred. Gilan Maxwell into a prison camp where. is well documented that she is receiving.

special treatment. This is not an issue of a few corrupt. Democrats or a few corrupt Republicans. This is a case of institutional. betrayal. >> Yeah. >> Because these crimes were not properly. investigated, so many more girls and. women were harmed. My sister, because of. her bravery, was repeatedly threatened. and lived [clears throat] in fear with. dire consequences for her health and her. career. 30 years later, even as oceans of. allegations and obvious truths have.

emerged, the government has still not. chosen transparency. This is why we have. all come together as one united voice to. demand the release of all the Epstein. files and to finally bring the truth out. of the shadows. >> Virginia, who died by suicide, her. brother uh spoke at today's press. conference. He recounts how she believed.

when she was 16 years old, she was. getting a dream job at Mara Lago. And. when she got that job at Mara Lago at. the spa, she was then uh sex trafficked. by Epstein and Gilain, who located her. in the spa and then immediately. recruited her and used the Mara Lago. spa, basically Trump's home, as the. recruitment site for the sex trafficking. ring. Here, play this clip. At just 16 years old, [snorts]. she took a job at Margo, believing she.

had secured a dream summer position. But that dream quickly morphed into a. nightmare when Glain Maxwell prayed upon. her innocence. This isn't just the story of one girl. It's a story about the insidious nature. of power and abuse, a dark chapter in. our society that must be told. Virginia was no stranger to trauma. In. her memoir, Nobody's Girl, she shares.

the painful truth that she had already. suffered abuse at the hands of our. father. and a family friend. But what happened next was unfathomable. Epstein and Maxwell didn't just abuse. her. They trafficked her to a network of. the rich and powerful. Princes, prime. ministers, politicians, financiers, and. lawyers. These men committed unspeakable acts.

against her, against her will, and. against the will of countless survivors. who stand united with us today. You know, there was a a link there that. I hadn't picked up on before as part of. Virginia Dry's story because I remember. as I would recount what took place, the. way she ended up at Mara Lago at 16 is. that her dad was like either working as. a grounds person at Mara Lago or her dad.

had some connection to the Mara Lago. property. And what had kind of confused. me about the sequence of events is that. Virginia Gupre was homeless at the time. She was 16 years old, 17 years old and. homeless, but then her dad got her the. job at Mara Lago. So it always kind of. just confused me a little bit because. you know on the one hand she was. homeless but then her dad got her. So, I. was just trying to understand the. sequence of of of events and learning.

that her dad was abusing her. at the time she was homeless and then. her dad brought her to a place where the. abuse accelerated. um and then funneled her into a sex. trafficking ring by bringing her to Mara. Lago. that piece of it. I I made that. connection this morning when I heard. that her that she had said her dad. abused her as well. And I I just hadn't.

I hadn't fully realized that before. So, I wanted to make sure I made that clear. as well. One of the issues that was. addressed towards the end of the press. conference is that what's Donald Trump. going to do to try to block the release. of the files? Now, we know that he's not. just going to sign this, right? I mean, as as one of the survivors, you know, said, you know, I may be traumatized, but I'm not stupid. Um, and so one of. the thinking, one of the thoughts is. that the Senate may try to put some.

provisions that alter this discharge. petition vote and then further delay it. and then force the House to either vote. again and then kick this another six. months. And is it just more of, and we. know this is Trump's tactics, right? two. weeks, two weeks, six months, six. months, and just try to continue to. delay it. So, Thomas Massie was asked. about that. Here's what he had to say. Let's play it. >> Accountability. Act. Is that what you think? That's the. motivation for. >> I think I think the speaker uh wants to.

save face. He's going to vote for a. piece of legislation today that he's. disparaged for 4 months. And if however. he needs to come on board, we want him. on board. So, we appreciate. >> accountability, action, and justice. Let's get this vote done today. Let's send it through the Senate.

and straight to President Trump's desk. for signing. Powerful, powerful, powerful. Um, we'll. show you one final clip here of Marjgery. Taylor Green before the press conference. wrapped. Let's play it. >> Seriously, no longer works. And what do you think. of And I'll I'll tell you cuz I'm I. wasn't a Johnny come lately to the MAGA. train. I was day one 2015. And there's a.

big difference in those Americans and. those that that decided to support. President Trump later on. And I'll tell. you right now, this has been one of the. most destructive things to MAGA is. watching. the man that we supported early on three. elections. for people that stood hours, slept in. their cars to go to rallies. um have fought for truth and.

transparency and and to hold what we. consider a corrupt government. accountable. Watching this actually turn into a fight. has ripped MAGA apart. And um the only. thing that will speak to the. powerful, courageous women behind me is. when action is actually taken to release. these files. and the American people.

won't tolerate any other. That's where we are today. >> The Epstein Files Transparency Act will. go for a vote shortly on the House. floor. We'll of course be covering that. here on the Midas Touch Network. I want. to give a very special thanks to all of. these survivors who share their very. powerful stories with the country and. the world and with you all this morning. know how difficult it must be for them.

to to do that to have to do it. repeatedly and their fight every day for. transparency every single day is. something that is being done such a. courageous manner that I think words. can't express. the strength that they have and and the. gratitude that this nation should have. for. um they're bringing transparency and. accountability to to what happened. during the most unthinkable things that.

that were inflicted on them and that. happened to them. But these survivors. have united together and you saw them. show their strength there uh to the. country to the world in the face of a. president and a regime that has fought. them. every single day that has called them a. hoax and has defamed them and try to. tarnish their reputations. But they. stood strong today on Capitol Hill and.

delivered that powerful press. conference. I want to thank everyone. here for being with us on our coverage. of the press conference. you know, uh, as the co-founder of the Midas Touch. Network, as you all know, it's always. been my priority to make sure that it's. press conferences like these, it's the. shadow hearings, it's the protests. Those are the things that.

we created this network to cover because. we saw corporate news trying to cover up. these things to try to silence these. things. And so the fact that we're able. to use this massive platform now, even. if it's in a very small way, to amplify. the voices that need to be amplified. right now with your help, that's why we. do this each and every day here at the.

Midas Touch Network. So from the bottom. of my heart, I thank you all for being a. part of the Midas Mighty movement. We're. grateful for you. We have a lot of. videos that have already been posted. this morning um as well that we hope. you'll watch. We're going to continue to. post new videos. We usually do them. about every 90 minutes here on the. YouTube channel. We'll continue to do. that. Um so keep checking back. A new. video just uh loaded as well, but after. this live ends, you can go and watch on.

the Midas Touch YouTube feed. If you're. able to join and become a member of this. YouTube channel, join right now and you. can gift memberships to others and you. can gain access to an exclusive. membersonly podcast and uh access. exclusive features like the emojis that. you see. It also helps grow this. independent media platform. So you could. click join and you can give memberships. to others. Also check out midasplus.com.

That's our Substack. Um, and you can uh. check out the the Substack. We have our. editor-in chief, Ron Philipkowski, does. a lot of um great summaries every day. I. post articles there every day. Uh, so. check that out. Midasplus.com. Thank you so much. Let's keep on. fighting for transparency, for truth, justice, and democracy together. And. again, thank you to all those brave. survivors for sharing their stories. today. Shout out Midas Mighty.

>> Can't get enough Midas? Check out the. Midas Plus Substack for ad- free. articles, reports, podcast, daily recaps. from Ron Philipki, and more. Sign up for. free now at midasplus.com. [music].