Rasmussen Poll: Most Americans Think Epstein Was Murdered, Not Suicidal

A new national survey from Rasmussen Reports reveals a striking lack of public trust in the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case — and a widespread belief that many powerful individuals connected to Epstein have yet to face justice.

The survey, conducted July 8–10, 2025, among 1,164 likely U.S. voters, found that only 21% of Americans believe the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) are telling the truth about Epstein’s death and the absence of a so-called “client list” tied to his alleged sex trafficking network. A clear majority — 56% — believe federal agencies are not being honest, while 23% say they’re not sure.

This deep skepticism persists despite a recent federal investigation concluding that Epstein died by suicide and did not maintain a list of men involved in the criminal enterprise. Just 31% of respondents said they believe Epstein committed suicide. Nearly half — 47% — said they believe he was murdered, and 22% remain unsure.

The circumstances surrounding Epstein’s 2019 arrest and subsequent death have fueled intense speculation for years. The financier and convicted sex offender was arrested on sex trafficking charges and found dead weeks later in a Manhattan jail cell under questionable conditions. Cameras reportedly malfunctioned, guards fell asleep, and official documentation was incomplete — all of which intensified doubts about whether Epstein truly acted alone or whether his death was part of a broader cover-up.

Those suspicions are echoed in this latest data. When asked whether the Epstein case is now closed or whether there are still wealthy and powerful individuals who need to be held accountable, only 16% of respondents said the case is closed. A commanding 68% believe that more people need to face justice. Another 16% remain undecided.

Interest in the Epstein case remains relatively high, especially given the years that have passed since his death. According to the survey, 21% of likely voters say they have followed the story “very closely,” while 36% have followed it “somewhat closely.” Only 11% say they haven’t followed it at all. The remaining 29% admit they’ve followed it “not very closely,” and 3% were unsure.

The demographic breakdown reveals some notable trends. Belief that Epstein was murdered spans party lines, but Republicans and conservatives are more likely to hold that view. Distrust in the DOJ and FBI also crosses traditional political boundaries, though distrust levels were highest among voters who disapprove of President Biden and those who previously supported Donald Trump.

Age, income, and education levels also influenced responses. Older voters were more likely to follow the case closely, while younger voters (ages 18–29) were more likely to be unsure about the details. College-educated voters were slightly more likely to believe the government’s version of events, but even among this group, skepticism remains high.

The Epstein saga continues to serve as a litmus test for broader concerns about transparency, government accountability, and whether powerful individuals are held to the same standard of justice as average citizens. The results suggest that public confidence in federal law enforcement — at least in this high-profile case — remains deeply fractured.

The Rasmussen survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points and a 95% confidence level. The full crosstabs and demographic breakdowns are available on Rasmussen’s website for those seeking more detailed insights.

Despite official attempts to bring closure to the Epstein investigation, this survey underscores what many Americans feel: the story isn’t over. For most voters, the death of Jeffrey Epstein raised more questions than answers — and nearly seven in ten still believe others involved in his network have yet to be brought to justice.