'Using Epstein hoax to distract from shutdown': Trump slams Democrats; warns Republicans of 'trap'

President Trump has labelled claims linking him to Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes a "hoax," accusing Democrats of using the issue to distract from their own political failures and the ongoing government shutdown. Emails released by House Democrats have raised questions about Trump's past interactions with Epstein, though the White House dismisses them as a manufactured narrative.