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Johnson Says Trump Took Epstein Rumors Seriously, Served As FBI Informant

While defending President Donald Trump’s recent comments about the Jeffrey Epstein case, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Friday that the president always took accusations against the convicted sex offender seriously and was actually an “FBI informant.”

Johnson made the shocking remarks to reporters who pressed him about Trump calling demands for additional Epstein files “the Democrat Epstein Hoax” ― even though Republicans and much of Trump’s base are also demanding their release.

“What Trump is referring to is the hoax that the Democrats are using to try to attack him,” Johnson said.

“It’s been misrepresented. He’s not saying that what Epstein did is a hoax. It’s a terrible, unspeakable evil; he believes that himself. When he first heard the rumor, he kicked him out of Mar-a-Lago,” Johnson said.

Then he dropped the bombshell.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) talks with reporters at a news conference in the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025.

“He was an FBI informant to try to take this stuff down,” Johnson said of Trump.
“The president knows ― and has great sympathy for the women who suffered these unspeakable harms. It’s detestable to him.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation on Trump serving as an FBI informant. Johnson’s office did not immediately respond, either, when asked to clarify his remarks.

Though Trump has downplayed having a friendship with Epstein, he’s on the record once speaking fondly of him, telling New York Magazine in 2002: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy.” And in July, The Washington Post published the contents of a lewd birthday card Trump reportedly gave Epstein in 2003, which included the message: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump denies having anything to do with the letter.

Sources have also said the two were frequently seen socializing in Palm Beach, Florida, until they had a sudden falling-out in late 2004. The New York Times explored the implosion of their relationship in a July story, reporting that sometime around late 2004, the two men squabbled over a real estate deal and that Trump was upset because Epstein “acted inappropriately to the daughter of a member of Mar-a-Lago.”

Shortly thereafter, the Palm Beach police received a tip that young women had been seen coming and going from Epstein’s home, the Times reported.