In a February 2026 appearance on The Don Lemon Show, Mark Epstein raised questions about the 2019 jailhouse death of his brother, Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting that if there was a coordinated cover-up, it could have reached as high as the White House.
During the interview with Lemon, Mark reiterated his long-standing belief that Jeffrey did not die by suicide while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in a Manhattan detention facility. Federal authorities ruled the death a suicide by hanging, and subsequent Justice Department reviews found no evidence of homicide. Mark, however, has consistently disputed that conclusion.
At one point in the February 2026 conversation, Mark posed a broader question about power and access. “How many people would have the ability to have this orchestrated and have the DOJ cover it up?” he asked.
Lemon followed up directly: “Do you think Donald Trump had something to do with it?”
“I don’t speculate,” — but Mark answered point-blank
Mark Epstein on Jeffrey Epstein’s death: “How many people would have the ability to have this orchestrated and have the DOJ cover it up?”
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) February 23, 2026
Don Lemon: “Do you think Donald Trump had something to do with it?”
Mark Epstein: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he did” pic.twitter.com/NCECjIr615
Throughout the interview, Mark stressed that he does not claim to have direct evidence implicating any specific individual. He told Lemon he generally avoids speculating about who might be responsible, instead focusing on what he views as inconsistencies in the official account.
However, when asked directly about Trump’s possible involvement, Mark did not dismiss the idea outright, responding that he “wouldn’t be surprised if he did.” Even so, he stopped short of making a definitive accusation and acknowledged he does not possess proof tying Trump or anyone else to the death.
Questions about bail and pretrial treatment
In addition to revisiting the circumstances of Jeffrey’s death, Mark used the February 2026 appearance to discuss his brother’s bid for pretrial release. Jeffrey was arrested in July 2019 and later sought bail while awaiting trial in federal court. Prosecutors argued he posed a serious flight risk and danger to the community. A judge ultimately denied bail, ordering him held without bond.
Mark suggested during the interview that the bail denial played a critical role in what followed. He argued that had his brother been granted release under strict conditions — including house arrest and electronic monitoring — the outcome might have been different. Mark then questioned whether the pretrial detention environment, combined with alleged security failures at the jail, created circumstances that should have been preventable.
Mark also said,
[His attorneys] asked me if, not only would I put up my house, but would I guarantee Jeffrey’s entire bail? They were going to appeal the bail decision. Like, we hear that, you know, P. Diddy’s tried to appeal his bail decision a few times. So I said, ‘Okay. I’ll guarantee Jeffrey’s entire bail.’ In essence, doubling it, and he also had another friend putting up some assets for bail.”
According to Mark, it “makes no sense” Jeffrey would kill himself before the bail hearing, “because if he got bail, he’d be living in his house.”
Mark Epstein and the Epstein case
Mark has remained one of the most vocal critics of the official suicide ruling. While he has frequently challenged the findings of investigators, no government inquiry to date has concluded that Jeffrey was murdered or that a coordinated cover-up involving the White House occurred.
Federal authorities continue to stand by the determination that Jeffrey died by suicide in custody in 2019. No charges have been filed alleging a murder plot or a White House-directed cover-up
