As President Donald Trump seeks to draw a line under the Epstein files controversy, Vice President JD Vance has voiced his support for potential further congressional investigations, according to a report by the Daily Mail. This revelation comes at a time when Trump is urging the nation to move beyond the scandal.
Vance’s support for continued investigation came to light Tuesday, February 3, when he told the Daily Mail he endorsed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s idea that Prince Andrew should testify before Congress regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Trump stated from the Oval Office that it’s time for the country to divert its focus from the files released by the Justice Department.
The recent release of Epstein-related materials includes 3 million files, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos, which have reignited public attention on numerous high-profile figures mentioned in the records. These figures include Trump, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk.
When questioned about Starmer’s comments on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was divested of his title “Prince Andrew” in October 2025, Vance demonstrated his readiness to encourage additional testimony.
Vance confirmed to the Daily Mail his openness to the idea of the British royal testifying before Congress. He further noted that he would leave it to congressional Republicans to decide whether Prince Andrew should testify, while underscoring his personal favor for ongoing official investigations.
During the interview, Vance criticized what he described as troubling connections among America’s elite, alluding to the incestuous relationships unveiled within the files.
Vance has been a vocal critic of how the Epstein case was handled for years. In 2021, while campaigning for the Senate, he tweeted, questioning why the U.S. government would keep Epstein’s clients confidential. This viewpoint contrasts with his more recent efforts to distance Trump from the scandal.
After aligning himself with Trump’s political sphere, Vance altered his messaging to highlight alleged ties between Epstein and left-wing political figures while attempting to exonerate Trump. He maintained that the Trump administration was not concealing information, despite missing a legal deadline in December 2025 to release the documents.
In his Daily Mail interview, Vance tried to dissociate Trump from other notable figures mentioned in the files, stating that, despite comparable wealth and power, Trump was never really friendly with Epstein like many others were.
Vance singled out Bill Gates and Bill Clinton as examples of individuals he believes are negatively portrayed in the files. Gates released a statement denying any allegations made against him in the documents, while the Clintons agreed to testify to Congress regarding their connections to Epstein, although being mentioned in the files doesn’t necessarily imply wrongdoing.
In the Oval Office, Trump expressed his wish to end discussions of the Epstein files, suggesting that they vindicate him and simultaneously praising Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, when CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins questioned whether doing so would deliver justice to Epstein’s victims, Trump criticised the reporter sharply.
The contrast between Vance’s support for continued investigation and Trump’s desire to move on highlights potential disagreements within the administration regarding the handling of the ongoing repercussions from the document release. The suggestion by Starmer that Prince Andrew should be prepared to testify before Congress has added international pressure to the domestic debate.
British politician Lord Peter Mandelson also faces scrutiny following the document release. On February 3, 2026, the Metropolitan Police started a criminal investigation into Mandelson over allegations of misconduct in public office tied to the sharing of sensitive government information with Epstein. Other prominent figures mentioned in the files include Woody Allen, Martha Stewart, Katie Couric, Deepak Chopra, and Richard Branson.
The Justice Department’s release on January 30 marks the largest disclosure of Epstein-related materials since federal law required their publication. The materials have sparked renewed public interest in Epstein’s wide-ranging connections among the business, political, and entertainment elite.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, is frequently mentioned throughout the released materials. The documents reveal communications and interactions involving numerous public figures across several years.
As the scandal persists, congressional Republicans will decide whether to seek testimony from Prince Andrew or other individuals named in the files.
