A tense debate erupted on CNN’s The Arena after Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings accused Democrats of weaponizing the Jeffrey Epstein files for political advantage — particularly in their criticism of President Donald Trump.
During the panel discussion Thursday, Jennings argued that while the Epstein records should be released in accordance with federal law, selectively invoking names without evidence amounts to political theater.
“You have Democrat after Democrat after Democrat, even Hillary Clinton just a little while ago, all too happy to go on television and cast aspersions on his character,” Jennings said. “They’re trying to mislead the American people. It’s the Steele dossier all over again. That’s all this is. Let’s throw out something and hope it sticks, even though there’s no evidence whatsoever.”
🚨 Scott Jennings just unloaded after Democrats tried to spin the Epstein fallout.
He said it feels like the Steele dossier all over again. Throw accusations at the wall and hope something sticks. No evidence. Just noise.
He pointed out one fact that keeps getting ignored.… pic.twitter.com/LnMN8kPX9K
— ⁿᵉʷˢ Barron Trump 🇺🇸 (@BarronTNews_) February 26, 2026
Jennings’ comparison to the Steele dossier is significant. The dossier, compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele during the 2016 election, alleged ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia. It was funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. The FBI later relied on its unverified claims when seeking surveillance warrants during the Trump–Russia investigation, a move that sparked years of controversy.
Now, Jennings argues, Democrats are employing a similar strategy — implying wrongdoing based on association rather than documented misconduct.
At the same time, Jennings maintained that the Epstein files should be released if permitted under the law Congress passed. However, he emphasized that the process is complex.
“There are files all over the country, apparently, and they’re still collecting them,” Jennings explained. He noted that authorities must sort through duplicative or irrelevant material before any public release, calling the process more onerous than many realize.
Jennings also pointed to Trump’s past interactions with law enforcement regarding Epstein. In 2006, Trump reportedly contacted the Palm Beach Police Department, urging them to investigate Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell over allegations of sexual abuse involving underage girls. According to reports, Trump told then-Police Chief Michael Reiter, “You need to look at this guy.”
Trump has also stated that he barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago in the early 2000s. Accounts vary on the exact reason, with reports citing allegations ranging from employee poaching to inappropriate conduct involving a club member’s daughter. A later report suggested Trump severed contact after a complaint from an 18-year-old cosmetologist.
As debate intensifies, Jennings’ warning is clear: releasing documents is one thing — using unproven insinuations as political ammunition is another. Whether the files ultimately clarify or complicate the political landscape remains to be seen, but the fight over their narrative has already begun.
