Full Breakdown
Tribeca Gallery Holds 24-Hour Marathon Reading of Epstein Files, Spotlighting Trump Connection
5/19/2026, 6:48:30 AM
24-Hour Marathon Reading in Manhattan
A gallery in Tribeca opened a “Donald J. Trump & Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room” on Monday, beginning a nonstop 24-hour reading of federal Epstein documents. The installation, organized by commentator Eliza Orlins with Save America Movement and Institute for Primary Facts, is livestreamed and will close on May 20, ending Tuesday at noon.
Background & Context
In 2023 Justice Dept. released 3.5 million pages—3,437 volumes weighing about 17,000 pounds—detailing Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sexual-abuse network. Survivors testified under oath at West Palm Beach City Hall, three miles from Epstein’s former mansion; organizers note the event received scant coverage. It presents “1,400 minutes of testimony for the 1,400 victims” and shows a timeline of the decade-long friendship, citing Epstein’s alleged description of Trump as his “closest friend.”
Key Figures & Groups
Organizers are Eliza Orlins, Save America Movement, and Institute for Primary Facts. Speakers included liberal podcaster Jennifer Welch, former Trump administration official Miles Taylor, and journalist Aaron Parnas. A spokesperson coordinated messaging and livestream.
Data & Statistics
The exhibit holds 3.5 million pages in 3,437 volumes (? 17,000 lb), 1,400 minutes of testimony and records of 1,400 victims.
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson said the project aims to confront the issue and criticized the limited media coverage of the West Palm Beach testimonies. Trump asserts he and Epstein were never close friends and that he distanced himself after Epstein’s 2008 registration. The White House declined comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Trump’s denial opposes the narrative. Critics argue the event is a “humiliation” of a former New York resident, suggesting the focus on personal ties distracts from accountability for Epstein’s crimes.
Why It Matters / Impact
Locating the reading in Trump’s former hometown symbolizes a reversal of his Manhattan status and may be a blow to the former president, who has been estranged from New York. The marathon amplifies survivor voices, challenges media neglect, and adds a cultural dimension to ongoing legal and political scrutiny of Epstein’s network.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the Trump-Epstein relationship: Epstein allegedly called Trump his “closest friend,” while Trump insists no such friendship existed. No White House or law-enforcement comment clarifies the dispute, leaving a factual gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a refusal to look away,” — Spokesperson, Save America Movement
- “Last week, survivors testified under oath at West Palm Beach City Hall, three miles from the mansion where many of the crimes occurred. The national press barely covered it.” — Spokesperson, Save America Movement
- “I believed, perhaps to an irrational degree, that Manhattan was always going to be the best place to live – the center of the world,” — Donald J. Trump
- “closest friend” — Jeffrey Epstein (as reported)
What’s Next
The reading room will close on May 20, and the marathon will conclude Tuesday at noon. Organizers will keep the livestream archived, while observers anticipate additional events addressing Epstein’s legacy.
