Rep. Ro Khanna announced his State of the Union guest on X and immediately drew sharp criticism.
Documentary and allegations
He unveiled Haley Robson, who has publicly described herself as a former teenage “recruiter” for Jeffrey Epstein.
Robson appeared among survivors in Netflix’s “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich” sharing her account of encounters with Epstein.
She has said she first encountered Epstein in 2004 when she was 16 and living in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Robson told People she was a normal teenager who played football and did equestrian activities.
Published accounts say a classmate told Robson she could make $200 by visiting Epstein’s mansion and giving him a massage.
Robson said she gave Epstein one massage and that he did try to touch her but did not force himself on her.
She also said Epstein later suggested she return with other girls and offered to pay her for each recruit, and she estimated recruiting about two dozen teens.
Robson said revisiting the past and participating in the series was emotional and that she endured intense scrutiny, subpoenas, and FBI interest.
Political fallout
Khanna framed his invitation as a way to spotlight survivors, but critics called the selection a made-for-TV moment.
The timing comes as Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie support renewed moves to force release of more Epstein-related records.
Supporters say the effort is about transparency, while critics call it an evidence-free dragnet that keeps pulling President Donald Trump into the conversation despite no proof of wrongdoing.
Epstein faced federal charges connected to sexual abuse of minors and was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 at age 66.
Authorities said he was discovered with a bedsheet around his neck after having been placed on suicide watch, and the city medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.
Khanna’s guest choice has already fueled debate on Capitol Hill and is likely to dominate conversation before the president reaches the podium.
