by Peter Weinberger

It’s not every day you see Trump supporters demanding transparency about Jeffrey Epstein’s dark dealings. But this moment cuts to the heart of why the First Amendment matters — and why the truth shouldn’t depend on which side you’re on.

Even in America, powerful forces try to hide uncomfortable facts, testing whether we still believe in the public’s right to know. The Epstein case is a reminder of how easily silence can protect the powerful, from presidents to business leaders, while victims and the public are left in the dark.

Now, with the Trump administration delivering mixed messages, and some conservative media outlets refusing to fully cover the latest Epstein revelations, the GOP is pushing back. They want the facts. They want accountability. It turns out, transparency is not a partisan issue. Epstein’s connections ranged from former presidents to business leaders and celebrities. And, the recent backlash from GOP supporters continues to grow. They want the facts. They want accountability. And they are not getting answers from their leadership.

This is where the First Amendment’s promise of a free press comes alive. It’s not just a dusty idea tucked away in the Constitution. It’s the shield that lets journalists investigate, question, and report the truth without fear or favor. When the media fails — because of partisanship, fear, or financial pressures — our democracy suffers.

It’s also a reminder that disinformation, misinformation and suppression of facts are not bound to one side of the political aisle. There is often a temptation to ignore wrongdoing when it involves people we admire or movements we support. But truth has no party, and journalism shouldn’t either. In 2024, even some who supported President Biden raised concerns about transparency around his health. The principle is the same: the press must pursue the truth, no matter who it challenges.

Here in Claremont, we’re far from the circles Epstein moved in, but the stakes are no different. The public has a right to know what’s happening in city hall, at the school board, colleges, police and in their neighborhoods. That’s why the Claremont Courier remains committed to fact-based local journalism, even when it’s hard, and even when it costs us.

Publishing the truth isn’t easy. It can mean angering powerful people, risking backlash, or losing advertisers. We’ve seen it firsthand over the past 18 months. But the alternative is silence — and a community left in the dark. Local journalism isn’t just another service; it’s a public good that keeps us informed, connected, and engaged.

The push for transparency around Epstein’s case, even from those who once looked away, is a reminder that people still want the facts, even when it’s inconvenient. It proves the First Amendment is still essential to our country, allowing the truth to surface even when some would rather bury it.

As we prepare our First Amendment special edition, we are reminded that protecting free speech and a free press isn’t just about distant scandals or national politics. It’s about Claremont. It’s about your right to know. It’s about keeping our community a place where accuracy matters.

Supporting local journalism is supporting free speech in action. In moments like these, when the truth is contested and facts are often buried, the need for independent, nonprofit local news has never been clearer. We invite our readers to stand with us as we continue to publish local news that serves the public, even when it challenges those in power.

Because at the end of the day, the First Amendment is only as strong as our willingness to use it — and pursue the facts.

What do you think? The Courier wants to hear from you! Email your letter to our editor Mick Rhodes at editor@claremont-courier.com. Want to talk to the publisher? Email me at pweinberger@claremont-courier.com.