Tucker Carlson, a prominent right-wing media commentator and former Fox News host, has claimed that former President Donald Trump gave a direct order to "cover up" documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to a recent interview with Vanity Fair. The claim comes as part of a broader political and legal reckoning over Epstein's connections to powerful individuals, which have been scrutinized since his death in a New York prison in 2019. Carlson told Vanity Fair’s Chris Whipple that he had urged Trump in the summer of 2025 to release all documents tied to Epstein, but Trump was not convinced. "I don’t understand why you would ever keep any of this stuff secret," Carlson said, adding that he eventually concluded the decision to conceal the documents came directly from Trump. When pressed about the nature of Trump’s directive, Carlson stated, "The order to cover it up came from Trump." He said Trump offered a lengthy, emotional explanation, claiming the Epstein affair was part of a broader "plot" against him, similar to the Russia investigation (often referred to as Russiagate). This dispute over the Epstein files escalated into a political battle, with members of Congress eventually forcing Trump to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law late last year. The act required the Justice Department to release millions of documents, many of which contain Trump’s name. Despite this, Trump has denied any wrongdoing and insists he cut ties with Epstein years before the financier was under investigation. The White House has dismissed Carlson’s claims, pointing to Trump’s public statements and actions as proof of his innocence. In a recent Truth Social post, Trump criticized Carlson, calling him "stupid" and "a broken man" after his departure from Fox News. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated that Trump has been "totally exonerated" on Epstein-related matters and has done more than anyone to support victims by releasing documents and calling for further investigations into Epstein’s associates. Meanwhile, the Epstein files continue to be a political flashpoint. While the Trump administration has sought to move past the issue, bipartisan efforts to investigate Epstein’s circle—including high-profile figures—have intensified. The House Oversight Committee has interviewed survivors, leading to criminal referrals for some individuals connected to Epstein. The files have also become a point of contention within the Trump coalition itself, with figures like Vice President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles suggesting that the Epstein controversy could remain a liability in the 2028 election. As for Carlson, he has distanced himself from Trump in recent months, criticizing the Iran war as a betrayal of the "America First" movement he once championed and suggesting he may explore forming a third political party.