Fact check: Did donald trump say to move on from pedephelia

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is mixed evidence regarding whether Donald Trump explicitly said to "move on from pedophilia." The sources reveal two distinct types of statements:

Direct statement about pedophilia: One source directly quotes Trump as saying to "move on from society's widespread disdain for pedophilia," implying a desire to downplay or dismiss the issue ^[1]. However, this source appears to be from The Onion, a satirical publication, which raises questions about its authenticity.

Statements about the Epstein case: Multiple sources consistently report that Trump told his supporters to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case specifically. Trump stated it was "unbelievable" that Americans were still talking about Epstein and urged the public to move on ^[2]. He tried to divert his base's attention away from the Epstein case, suggesting they focus on other conspiracy theories instead ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about Trump's documented relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The analyses reveal that Trump had a friendship with Epstein, with recordings of Epstein discussing Trump's behavior ^[4]. This relationship is significant because the Epstein case involved extensive allegations of child sex trafficking.

Trump's broader pattern of alleged misconduct is also missing from the original question. Multiple sources document numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump ^{[5] [6]}, including a civil lawsuit where Trump was found liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll ^[7].

Political implications are another missing element. Trump's statements about moving on from the Epstein case sparked anger among some members of his base who had voted for him based on his promises to address child sex trafficking ^[2]. This suggests that Trump's political survival would benefit from society moving away from scrutiny of these cases, while victims' advocates and his political opponents would benefit from continued attention to these issues.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears to conflate two separate but related issues: general statements about pedophilia versus specific statements about the Epstein case. While Trump demonstrably urged supporters to move on from the Epstein investigation, the evidence for him explicitly saying to move on from pedophilia generally comes from what appears to be a satirical source ^[1].

The question's phrasing also lacks specificity about timing and context, which is crucial given that Trump's statements about the Epstein case occurred in a specific political context where he was facing scrutiny over his past association with Epstein.

Additionally, the question omits the broader pattern of sexual misconduct allegations against Trump, which provides important context for understanding why such statements would be politically significant and potentially self-serving.