Zinke: Everyone’s trying to find Epstein ‘nugget’ that doesn’t exist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
CONTACT
press@montanademocrats.org
Helena, MT – As massive fallout from the Epstein files continues to ripple across powerful circles, there are three key facts worth remembering:
Congressman Ryan Zinke voted to block the release of the Epstein files last year.
Zinke has repeatedly backed and defended the Trump administration as they resist transparency and continue to withhold information.
Finally, Zinke is on the record downplaying the Epstein files, saying, “There’s not a huge issue there” and minimizing efforts to uncover more information as searching for ‘nugget’ that doesn’t exist.
In July, Zinke told NewsNation: “... there’s a lot of people that believe that somehow, there’s all this information that’s going to lead to somewhere, I don’t think it exists.”
Despite mounting fallout, Zinke has refused to walk back any of his statements.
“So the question for reporters is simple: has Congressman Zinke changed his tune on the Epstein files? Or will he continue to dismiss the scandal and protect predators and pedophiles over women and girls?” said Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Emily Marburger. “Let's just say that interview hasn’t aged well.”
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