While it has been roughly five years since Jeffrey Epstein allegedly committed suicide while in federal custody, the financier and convicted sex offender remains in the public consciousness.

An example of that came this past weekend when Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance drew a comparison between him and Vice President Kamala Harris. 

"It's like giving Jeffrey Epstein control over human trafficking policy"

According to the New York Post, Vance's comments came during an interview on Sunday with Fox News host Shannon Bream.

"Giving Kamala Harris control over inflation policy, Shannon, it's like giving Jeffrey Epstein control over human trafficking policy," Vance was quoted as telling Bream.

Donald Trump VP Pick JD Vance: "Giving Kamala Harris control over inflation policy is like Jeffrey Epstein control over human trafficking policy." pic.twitter.com/cUxbmqzild

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) August 18, 2024

At the time of his death, Epstein was facing multiple charges over the trafficking of underage girls. His alleged accomplice, socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was subsequently given a 20-year-sentence for her role in the crime.

"The American people are much smarter than that," he continued. "They don’t buy the idea that Kamala Harris represents a fresh start. She is more of the same. It is doubling down on the failed policies of the [current] administration."

Poll shows Americans more likely to trust Trump on the economy

"Our message is going to be very simple. If you want to get back to the peace and prosperity, the rising take-home pay, Donald Trump delivered it once and he can do it again," the Ohio senator declared.

"If you want to double down on the failed policies that have delivered higher food prices and higher housing prices, well, Kamala Harris has been vice president for three and a half years, and I guarantee she’s going to make the problem worse," he added.

While a recent YouGov poll found that Harris enjoys a small lead over Trump, it also found that voters are more likely to trust him when it comes to the economy.

The survey reported that 42% of registered voters believe food and groceries will get more expensive if Harris is elected compared with 22% who expect them to get less expensive.

Vance: "We're going to win this race"

In contrast, 42% think that the cost of food and groceries will go down if Trump wins in November while just 37% believe they will become more costly.

For his part, Vance dismissed the recent bump that Harris has seen in many polls, saying, "The polls tend to radically overstate Democrats."

"I'm telling you, every single person who’s watching this, the Trump campaign is in a very, very good spot. We're going to win this race. We just have to run through the finish line," he insisted.