Scoop: DNC targets vulnerable House Republicans with Epstein ads

The Democratic National Committee will target MAGA voters with ads about Jeffrey Epstein in a dozen GOP-held House districts at the start of the August recess, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Democrats, after suffering debilitating losses in 2024, have found their mojo in pushing for the release of the Epstein files. Democrats are pitting squeamish Republicans eager to move on from Epstein against MAGA voters who want validation of theories around the late financier's sex trafficking operation, its clientele and his 2019 death, ruled a suicide.Driving the news: The ads will run before videos on right-wing YouTube and Meta channels like those of Fox News, Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro – target-rich audiences for the voters fixated on Epstein."Call your representative. Demand they release the Epstein files," says the ad, while hitting House Republicans for going on August recess without having cast a floor vote to release more Epstein details. One video ad features Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) deeming Epstein a "serious issue." Another includes video of President Trump with Epstein. It's long been known that Trump knew Epstein, and the president has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to his operation.The ad will run for five days, starting Friday, in the districts of 11 Republicans the DNC says are vulnerable in the 2026 midterms: Reps. Tom Barrett (Mich.) Gabe Evans (Colo.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Ashley Hinson (Iowa), Young Kim (Calif.), Mike Lawler (N.Y.), Zach Nunn (Iowa), Andy Ogles (Tenn.), Chip Roy (Texas), Bryan Steil (Wisc.) and Derrick Van Orden (Wisc.).It's also running in Rep. Virginia Foxx's (N.C.) district. Foxx is not viewed as particularly vulnerable, but she chairs the powerful Rules Committee, which determines what legislation receives votes on the House floor.What they're saying: The DNC is seeking to reach up to a million Americans with the five-figure ad campaign. "Democrats are going to continue to hold the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress accountable for their failure to release the Epstein files and the cover-up that we are witnessing in real time," DNC senior adviser Tim Hogan said.The other side: "It is curious that when the Democrat party had unrestricted power and was more than happy to weaponize all instruments of government against their political opponents, that they did not release these files," Van Orden told Axios in a statement.The bottom line: Trump and House Republicans have been hounded by their base for maximum transparency around Epstein since Axios first reported on a memo concluding that Epstein killed himself and did not possess a "client list."Democrats are hoping to keep Republicans on their back feet for as long as possible, especially at a time when they're getting extra face time with their constituents.

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