A new YouGov poll reveals that 40% of Americans believe Trump was connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged crimes, while most doubt justice will be served.

The survey, conducted among 7,237 adults, also found that 27% do not believe Trump was involved, while 33% said they were unsure.

Public opinion split over Trump’s ties to Epstein

The poll reflects lingering public distrust surrounding the Epstein case and its connections to powerful figures. While a significant portion of respondents believe Trump was linked to Epstein’s crimes, more than a quarter reject that possibility, and a third remain uncertain.

The topic has resurfaced recently, as high-profile figures, including US billionaire Elon Musk, have suggested that files from the Epstein investigation remain sealed because Trump is mentioned in them.

The results also show stark partisan divisions, with 69% of Democrats believing Trump was involved, compared to 41% of independents and just 7% of Republicans. Gender differences were also notable, 41% of women believe Trump was involved, slightly more than the 39% of men who share that view. Conversely, 31% of men say Trump was not involved, compared to 23% of women, with women also more likely to express uncertainty.

Widespread doubt in Epstein case accountability

The survey further revealed skepticism about accountability in the Epstein case. Only 15% of Americans say they are "very confident" or "somewhat confident" that individuals connected to Epstein and accused of sex crimes will be properly investigated.

By contrast, 67% said they are "not very confident" or "not at all confident" that justice will be served. An additional 18% said they were unsure.

Among Democrats, 49% say they have no confidence at all, compared to 46% of independents and 39% of Republicans. Gender differences show that 48% of men and 42% of women are not at all confident, while women are slightly more likely to be unsure, at 22% compared to 14% of men. The findings point to a prevailing sense of mistrust in the justice system’s handling of the Epstein case.

Details of the Epstein case and allegations

In 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was charged with trafficking minors for sexual exploitation, a charge that carried a prison sentence of up to 40 years, along with conspiracy to engage in such trafficking.

Prosecutors alleged that Epstein abused dozens of underage girls at his residences in New York and Florida between 2002 and 2005. Victims were reportedly paid in cash and, in some cases, recruited other girls as young as 14 years old.

After his arrest in early July 2019, a court in Manhattan denied Epstein bail. Weeks later, he was found “semi-conscious” in his jail cell and was later pronounced dead. Authorities concluded that he had committed suicide.

Musk claims, FBI denial add to speculation

In early June, Elon Musk claimed that Epstein-related files had not been made public because Trump was mentioned in them. This statement added fuel to ongoing public speculation.

However, in a memorandum issued this week, the FBI and the US Department of Justice stated that Epstein had no incriminating “client list” and did not engage in blackmail of high-profile individuals.

Trump and Epstein, a history

Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein dates back to the late 1980s, when both figures operated within elite circles in New York and Palm Beach. They were photographed together at various social gatherings, including parties at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. In a 2002 interview, Trump called Epstein a “terrific guy” and remarked that “he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”

Flight logs indicate that Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet multiple times in the 1990s, and contact books revealed both his and Melania Trump’s numbers. Court records also allege that Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell recruited a teenage employee at Mar-a-Lago in 2000 to provide massages to Epstein.

Their friendship reportedly ended in 2004 after a real estate dispute over a Palm Beach estate. Trump later claimed he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for inappropriate conduct, though this has been contested.