Epstein emails renew scrutiny of Trump ties

Democrats demand full release of files

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Representative Adriano Espaillat, a Democrat from New York, centre, speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.

(BLOOMBERG)

Jeffrey Epstein suggested Donald Trump knew about the disgraced financier's abuse and "spent hours" with one of the victims at his house, according to emails released by Democrats Wednesday that raised awkward new questions for the US president.

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any knowledge of the sex-trafficking activities of his former friend - who died by suicide in 2019 while in prison awaiting trial - and accused Democrats of trying to "deflect" from their own failings.

But the scandal has proved tough for Mr Trump to shake, and Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the three new emails "raise serious questions about Donald Trump and his knowledge of Epstein's horrific crimes."

The pressure on Mr Trump grew later Wednesday, when Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would hold a vote next week on a bid to force the Justice Department to release the remaining Epstein files.