Baffled analysts pile on Trump's latest Epstein files distraction: 'Literal desperation'

Baffled analysts piled on President Donald Trump after he issued his latest attempt to distract from releasing the rest of the Jeffrey Epstein files on Thursday.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he has directed the Department of Defense to release all government files "related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters." Trump said he made the decision because of the "tremendous interest" shown by Americans.

Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary, said the announcement was "out of this world news."

The announcement was made at a time when the Trump administration is facing growing pressure to release all of the Epstein files, as required by law. On Wednesday, Epstein's pal Leslie Wexner, the former CEO of Victoria's Secret, told the House Oversight Committee that he was never interviewed by authorities during their investigations of Epstein.

Political analysts and observers seemed baffled by the news and shared their reactions on social media.

"It’s time for disclosure!" Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) posted on X.

"Literal desperation," YouTuber Hank Green posted on Bluesky.

"ET enters the chat as a distraction from @realdonaldtrump raping little girls and threatening to kill them if they tell anyone," ex-GOP analyst Cheri Jacobus posted on X.

"What about the 2 million unreleased Epstein files tho," former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger posted on Bluesky.

"Boy they reeeeeeaally need a distraction right now," political commentator Michael Flynn Jr. posted on X.

"Dude is so jealous of Obama, and it’s delicious," author Shannon Watts posted on X.