What to Know
Many would argue that the release of the documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes should not be about political party affiliation. So, when people make comments downplaying the issue, it understandably garners a lot of attention and pushback. For example, back in November 2025, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly was criticized for saying “there’s a difference between a 15-year-old and a 5-year-old” when talking about children who were abused by Epstein. And now, CNN panelist Scott Jennings has also been called out over his dismissive attitude when it comes to the delayed release of the files.
Fellow panelist Leigh McGowan’s response to his comment has gone viral on social media — and for good reason.
The panelists discussed the delayed release of the Epstein files.
Because of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the Department of Justice was required to release the documents related to Epstein by December 19, 2025. They still haven’t released most of them. Per The Guardian, more than two million documents are still under review and have not been released.
When discussing this exact issue on CNN’s Newsnight with Abby Phillip, McGowan was shocked by Jennings’ dismissive reaction. While Jennings said the DOJ should follow the law and release the documents, he seemed to downplay the significance of the unreleased files.
“Here’s the deal. I think they should release it. I think they should follow the law,” he said. “But let’s not get our knickers in a twist here. There’s no punishment for this.”
McGowan immediately pushed back, clearly outraged by this comment.
Sarcastically, she said, “Yeah, let’s not get our knickers in a twist over child rape, ha ha ha.” She then added, “Why are you talking like that? It’s insane.” Meanwhile, Jennings looked a bit confused by the response and questioned, “What’s insane?”
McGowan did not hesitate to explain. “The Epstein files is a multinational, multigenerational child and woman sex trafficking ring. So, your attitude right now… is just horrifying to me.”
She added, “Why are you acting like you have no idea what’s happening here?” Jennings reiterated that he thinks the DOJ “should follow the law,” and McGowan reminded him that officials are currently not following it. Jennings started to say, “I know you have a strong opinion about it, and I respect that.”
She said she ‘has a strong opinion about it’ because it’s ‘disgusting.’
“They are hiding it,” McGowan continued. “It’s not the behavior of innocent people. And everything that is in these files, it could bring an entire house down. And if it has to, it has to. If it brings down Democrats, bring them down. If it brings down Republicans, bring them down. Bring down princes, world leaders, Hollywood people, bring them down.”
But right now, McGowan argued, it feels like certain people are somehow above the law. “What it feels like right now is that there’s a giant cabal of people that do not have to listen to the law…and they were supposed to do something, then they didn’t do something.”
Jennings: Let's not get our knickers in a twist here
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 20, 2026
McGowan: Why are you talking like that? It's insane. Your attitude is just horrifying….Everything that is in these files—it could bring an entire house down. And if it has to, it has to. If it brings down Democrats, bring… pic.twitter.com/rtf6PNI31z
In the comments of a clip shared on X, many agreed that the release of the files should not be about politics. “Let’s strip away the politics for five seconds,” one person commented. “These are real victims, and they deserve transparency and support, not excuses or delay. Everyone should be on their side.”
Someone else praised McGowan for calling Jennings out over his dismissive tone. They added, “Then the ‘I see you have a strong opinion’ comment. STFU. Everybody at the table should have a strong opinion about this.”
A third person said, “That’s exactly it. Doesn’t matter what status those people in the files have. They all need to be held accountable.”
