MSNBC’s Morning Joe allocated significant airtime on its September 9, 2025, broadcast to address President Donald Trump’s characterization of recent Jeffrey Epstein revelations as a “Democrat hoax.”
The situation started when the Wall Street Journal published an alleged birthday letter linking Trump to Epstein, prompting widespread discussion and a demand for verification of the signature. The White House expressed willingness to support forensic analysis, but Trump dismissed the reports as part of a smear campaign.
On the show’s Tuesday episode, co-host Joe Scarborough challenged Trump’s claim, emphasizing that the story originated from Rupert Murdoch’s conservative media, not from Democrats. “It is Rupert Murdoch’s own conservative media empire that is running this. Not Democrats. Not a Democratic hoax,” Scarborough stated.
Panelists discussed the political implications of Trump’s narrative. MSNBC contributor Anthony Coley noted that labeling the reports as a hoax aligns with Trump’s history of downplaying negative allegations. Co-host Jonathan Lemire noted that this approach aligns with a broader pattern of criticizing institutions and the media rather than directly addressing the allegations.
The allegations have gained significant public interest. Google data indicates a surge in searches related to Epstein and Trump recently, and networks such as CNN and Fox News have also dedicated segments to the topic.
While Trump often criticizes “fake news,” his “hoax” assertion is seen as risky due to the Wall Street Journal’s reputation and its conservative ownership. Former Republican strategist Matthew Dowd commented that Trump “can’t just wish this away as a Democratic plot when the reporting is coming from the heart of the conservative press.”
In July 2025, after the Wall Street Journal reported on a 2003 “birthday book” allegedly containing a letter from Trump to Epstein, Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the story fake and framing it as a political tactic.
Trump wrote: “The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter … These are not my words … I don’t draw pictures …” and described the situation as a “SCAM … perpetuated by the Democrats.”
He urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to release relevant grand jury testimony, “subject to Court approval,” while insisting the issue was politically motivated.
On July 16, 2025, Trump publicly criticized the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” opposing calls for more transparency about Epstein-related files. He posted: “Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”
He also addressed his supporters on social media, arguing that those focusing on Epstein issues were being deceived by a Democratic narrative. He used terms like “stupid” and “foolish” to describe them.
On September 8-9, 2025, following the release of a letter allegedly signed by Trump in the Epstein birthday book, Trump and his team refuted the authenticity of the signature, reiterating the “Democratic hoax” claim.
The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, supported Trump’s stance and denied the authenticity of the signature, calling the reporting false.
This debate occurs amid fluctuating national approval ratings for Trump, with polling indicating challenges regarding trustworthiness. For MSNBC commentators, the Epstein incident highlights potential voter reactions to Trump’s tendency to dismiss damaging stories as hoaxes.