WASHINGTON, D.C. February 24, 2026– Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) invited Dani Bensky, a New York City survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address as one of his personal guests.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) shared during the event, Schumer wrote:
“Dani is a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. She’s here today as my guest to attend the State of the Union because even after everything she endured, she is still fighting—not just for herself but for every survivor who was silenced, ignored, and dismissed.”
Bensky, who met Epstein as a teenager while pursuing a career as a ballerina in New York City, has emerged as a leading advocate demanding full transparency and the complete release of all government files related to the late convicted sex offender’s sex-trafficking network.
The move is part of a coordinated effort by multiple Democratic lawmakers, who invited more than a dozen Epstein survivors to the joint session of Congress. Lawmakers including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and several House Democrats cited the presence of victims as a call for the Trump Justice Department to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and release all unredacted records without further delay.
Schumer has repeatedly urged the administration: “No more delay—release all the Epstein files NOW!”
Bensky joined other survivors at a pre-SOTU news conference where they emphasized that survivors “will not be silenced” and pressed for accountability, including renewed investigations into names appearing in the files.
The symbolic gesture highlights ongoing bipartisan tension over the handling of Epstein-related documents, with Democrats arguing that full disclosure is essential for justice for victims.
Schumer’s full guest list also included other New Yorkers affected by current policy issues, underscoring the evening’s focus on real-world impacts.
This is the latest development in the long-running push for transparency in the Epstein case, which continues to draw public attention years after the financier’s death in 2019.
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