WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2026 — Claims circulating on social media that former special counsel Jack Smith publicly released 25 pieces of unredacted evidence related to President Donald J. Trump’s interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — including closed-door testimony sealed by Judge Aileen Cannon — are unsubstantiated and appear to originate from unverified viral posts.
No official statements from the Justice Department, congressional committees or major news organizations confirm any such release in recent days. Mr. Smith, who led federal investigations into Mr. Trump’s handling of classified documents and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, resigned in November 2025 after Mr. Trump’s re-election. Both cases were dismissed post-inauguration under Justice Department policy prohibiting prosecution of a sitting president.
Recent activity involving Mr. Smith has centered on congressional oversight:
- A Dec. 17, 2025, closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee, with a 255-page transcript and partial video released publicly on Dec. 31, 2025.
- Public testimony on Jan. 22, 2026, where Mr. Smith defended his work, stating he had “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” of Trump’s role in a scheme to block the peaceful transfer of power and asserting he had “zero regrets” about the charges.
Neither the deposition materials nor the public hearing addressed new unredacted evidence, a specific “25” count release, or details from any Trump-Zelensky meeting. Judge Cannon, who presided over the classified documents case in Florida, has maintained a seal on Volume II of Mr. Smith’s final report, limiting public disclosure of certain investigative details. Mr. Smith has complied with that order and has not discussed sealed portions publicly.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelenskyy have met several times since January 2025, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this month and during bilateral discussions on Ukraine aid, NATO support and peace negotiations with Russia. No verified footage or reports describe an “awkward” moment involving Mr. Trump turning pale or Mr. Zelenskyy displaying a sarcastic smile in reaction to news of a Smith release. Social media posts repeating the claim often link to sensational headlines or recycled clips without sourcing.
The narrative fits a recurring pattern of exaggerated or fabricated stories about Mr. Smith’s investigations, frequently amplified for engagement on platforms like X and Facebook. Fact-checkers have identified similar claims as misleading, often conflating past testimony with imagined new developments.
The White House and Justice Department did not respond to inquiries about the allegation. For accurate information on Mr. Smith’s work or related congressional proceedings, refer to official records on Congress.gov or Justice Department archives. No ongoing releases matching this description have been documented.
