New Poll Finds Half of Americans Believe Trump Was Involved in Epstein’s Alleged Crimes
A new national poll shows that half of Americans believe former President Donald Trump was involved in crimes allegedly committed by Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting the continued political fallout surrounding the late financier’s case.
The February 6–9, 2026 Economist/YouGov survey finds that 50% of Americans think Trump was involved in Epstein’s alleged criminal conduct, while 29% say they do not believe he was involved. The remaining respondents said they were unsure.
The poll comes amid renewed public attention following the Department of Justice’s release of millions of documents tied to its investigation into Epstein and his associates. Public awareness of the document release is high: 48% of Americans say they have heard “a lot” about it, while another 42% report hearing “a little.” Only a small share say they have heard nothing about the disclosures.
The survey also shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling matters related to the Epstein investigation. Trump’s net approval rating on the issue stands at negative 34 percentage points, meaning those who disapprove outnumber those who approve by 34 points. That figure has remained relatively steady since mid-2025, suggesting entrenched public opinion.
More than half of Americans — 52% — believe Trump is attempting to cover up Epstein’s crimes, compared to 30% who say he is not. This perception has remained consistent across multiple Economist/YouGov polls conducted since November 2025, with the share ranging between 47% and 52%.
Partisan divisions are sharp. Among Democrats, 86% believe Trump was involved in Epstein’s crimes, compared to 51% of independents and 13% of Republicans. Similarly, 91% of Democrats say Trump is trying to cover up Epstein’s crimes, along with 55% of independents and 12% of Republicans.
The poll also reveals strong bipartisan agreement on at least one point: 85% of Americans agree with the statement that “there are powerful elites who helped Epstein target and abuse young girls” and that those individuals “need to be investigated.” That view is shared by 94% of Democrats and 84% of Republicans, indicating widespread suspicion that Epstein did not act alone.
The findings underscore how the Epstein case continues to shape public opinion and deepen political divides. While Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and described himself as fully exonerated, skepticism remains significant among large segments of the electorate.
With investigations and document releases ongoing, the issue appears unlikely to fade from the political landscape, particularly as lawmakers and advocacy groups continue to push for greater transparency and accountability.
