WASHINGTON, D.C. — When President Donald Trump takes the podium tonight, he will be met by a gallery that includes women who have spent decades fighting for accountability against the “Epstein class.” Leading the charge is Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a co-author of the Epstein Transparency Act, who is bringing Haley Robson as his primary guest.
The Faces of the Fight: Haley Robson and Jess Michaels
Haley Robson, who alleges that Epstein began trafficking her when she was only 16 years old, described the invitation as a “wonderful surprise.” For Rep. Khanna, her presence is a symbol of a deeper systemic failure.
“Haley’s courageous fight is proof that this isn’t about politics, it’s about exposing America’s two-tiered system of justice,” Khanna stated. “She and her fellow survivors’ bravery was the catalyst for changing a rotten system.”
Similarly, Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) will be accompanied by Jess Michaels, a survivor and founder of 3Joannes, Inc. Michaels, who alleges she was abused by Epstein in 1991 at age 22, questioned whether the government belongs to the American people or to “those who prey on them.”
A Widening Circle of Guests
The guest list spans across both chambers of Congress:
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is bringing Dani Bensky, a former ballerina who was assaulted by Epstein.
- Other Lawmakers are expected to announce further survivors throughout the afternoon, creating a significant “survivor presence” in the gallery.
Friction with the Justice Department
The invitations come at a time of heightened tension between survivors and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Despite the release of millions of documents under the Transparency Act, many survivors remain unsatisfied. Key grievances include:
- Selective Redactions: Allegations that the DOJ is still protecting powerful enablers by redacting certain names.
- Lack of Prosecution: Frustration that fewer “accomplices” have faced charges than the evidence in the files might suggest.
- Privacy Breaches: Paradoxically, some survivors claim the DOJ violated the law by failing to redact their names, exposing them to public scrutiny while shielding the abusers.
The Trump-Epstein Connection
The presence of these guests is particularly pointed given the historically documented friendship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. While the DOJ disclosures have implicated a massive array of figures—including Bill and Hillary Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and various global intellectuals—the proximity of the survivors to the President during the SOTU is a deliberate reminder that the public is still demanding the “unfiltered truth.”
As the files continue to cause upheaval across the political spectrum, tonight’s address will serve as a high-stakes backdrop for a debate that shows no signs of slowing down.