Vance Says Trump Team 'Screwed Up' Epstein Files Communications

Vance's admission is the first public acknowledgment of missteps by the administration-in-waiting on a politically sensitive topic that has fueled conspiracy theories for years. The comment came as the team prepares for the transition of power, with several cabinet picks still pending.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in federal custody in 2019. His associates and victims have been the subject of ongoing litigation. The promise of document releases has been a rallying point for some Trump supporters, who claim the files implicate prominent figures.

A spokesperson for the transition team declined to comment further.

Vance's remark suggests the administration is still working out how to handle the Epstein issue, several weeks before Trump takes office. The exact timeline for any release of files remains unclear.