Americans' views about Donald Trump's connections to Jeffrey Epstein have changed little in recent months. Around half of U.S. adult citizens — including most Democrats, about half of Independents, and 14% of Republicans — say Trump is trying to cover up Epstein's crimes, similar to findings from Economist / YouGov polls in recent months.
What you need to know about Americans' views on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, as of the January 2 - 5, 2026 Economist / YouGov Poll:
- 25% of Americans strongly or somewhat approve of Trump's handling of the Epstein investigation, while 56% disapprove
- More Americans strongly or somewhat approve of Trump's overall job performance (39%) and of his handling of the economy (36%), taxes (36%), government spending (34%), and inflation (32%)
- 49% of Americans say Trump is trying to cover up Epstein's crimes, while 30% say he isn't
- 83% of Democrats, 51% of Independents, and 14% of Republicans say Trump is trying to cover up Epstein's crimes
- 6% of Republicans who identify as MAGA supporters say Trump is involved in a cover-up, compared to 27% of non-MAGA Republicans
- The share of Americans who say Trump is covering up Epstein's crimes has changed little in a series of Economist / YouGov polls since mid-November:
- 44% of Americans have heard a lot about the Justice Department's release of Epstein files, while 45% have heard a little and 12% have heard nothing at all
- Those who have heard a lot about the Epstein file release and those who have heard a little are about equally likely to say Trump is not covering up Epstein's crimes (30% vs. 33%)
- But those who have heard a lot about the Epstein files are more likely than those who have heard a little to say Trump is involved in a cover-up (61% vs. 45%)
- The difference is a larger share saying they're not sure about whether Trump is covering up Epstein's crimes among those who have heard only a little
- Republicans who have heard a lot and a little are equally likely to say Trump is involved in a cover-up (15% vs. 14%)
- Democrats who've heard a lot about the Epstein files are more likely than those who have heard a little to say Trump is involved in a cover-up (91% vs. 80%); the same is true among Independents (60% vs. 53%)
- These findings does not indicate causality: It's possible that hearing more about the Epstein files leads people to conclude Trump is trying to cover up Epstein's crimes, or that those who already believe Trump is covering up Epstein's crimes are more likely to seek out news about the Epstein files
Image: Getty (Heather Diehl / Staff)
What do you really think about President Trump, American politics in general, and everything else? Share your reality, join the YouGov panel, and get paid to share your thoughts. Sign up here.
