CERES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at Gemperle Orchard on April 16, 2025 in Ceres, California. Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to enact sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses. The tariffs have disrupted supply chains, increased costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Sacramento, California – California Governor Gavin Newsom called out former President Donald Trump and his allies over their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, suggesting that the Republican administration either misled voters or deliberately concealed damning information. The remarks came during an episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast released Thursday, where Newsom spoke candidly about the political fallout surrounding Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, including Trump.
“They lied to you then or they’re lying to you now. Period,” Newsom said, referencing Trump’s repeated pledges to declassify Epstein-related materials and bring transparency to a case that has captivated and unsettled much of the country.
The case has long fueled conspiracy theories across the political spectrum. Epstein, a wealthy financier with deep ties to business and political elites, died by suicide in jail in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges. His death and the lack of public disclosure about his associates have led many to believe there was a coordinated effort to shield high-profile figures from scrutiny.
Newsom, seen by many as a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, positioned the controversy as both a moral failing and a political opportunity. “They dangled this in order to get votes and they lied to people. They used people. And someone needs to be held to account,” he said.
The governor pointed to Trump’s past association with Epstein, dismissing claims that their relationship was limited to a few photographs. “It wasn’t just a few photographs. They were close. That’s a fact. Sorry, Donald. Just a fact.”
Though investigations under Trump’s own Department of Justice and FBI concluded there was no evidence Epstein maintained a blackmail client list, skepticism remains widespread, especially among segments of Trump’s MAGA base. Newsom appeared to relish that contradiction, noting that some of the outrage has originated from Trump’s own supporters.
“I enjoy the hell out of it,” Newsom said. “That was my private voice out loud, as a Democrat. And I hope our party gins this up much more.”
Newsom’s remarks highlight a broader Democratic strategy taking shape in the shadow of the 2024 election cycle: drawing attention to the gaps between Trump’s promises and outcomes, especially on issues where his own supporters may feel betrayed. Whether this line of attack gains traction will depend not only on the lingering questions around Epstein but also on the Democrats’ willingness to amplify them.
