Kathmandu— A mock website for the Republican National Committee's 2026 Dallas convention, gopdallas2026.com, has dominated Google search results, redirecting users to the Department of Justice's Epstein Files website, prompting Republican denials of 'fake news' and Democratic lawmakers' criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Search Engine Anomaly

The website gopdallas2026.com, which appeared as the top Google search result for the Republican Party's upcoming Dallas convention, displayed a preview text inviting users to 'discover details about the 2026 RNC Midterm Convention.'

Users clicking the link were immediately redirected to the Justice Department's Epstein Files page, which contains documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case.

The Republican National Committee swiftly denied the site was official, directing users to GOPConvention.com and labeling the incident 'FAKE NEWS.'

Democratic Response

Democratic lawmakers seized on the incident to reignite scrutiny of the Epstein Files, which have been a point of contention since the Trump administration's handling of their release.

Representative Ted Lieu of California shared a report from journalist Jake Lahut, stating, 'I just tried the website and the below description, as of right now, is accurate. Sort of awesome.'

The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated the Justice Department release records within 30 days, but critics argue some documents remain unnecessarily redacted or reveal victim identities.

Convention Context

The mock website's appearance coincided with the announcement of the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention, scheduled for September 9-10 in Dallas at the American Airlines Center.

The event, described by RNC spokesperson Zach Kraft as the party's largest convention since 2016, will feature Donald Trump speaking on both nights as the party aims to maintain congressional majorities amid declining Trump popularity.

The convention follows a pattern of Democratic midterm conferences held in 1974, 1978, and 1982, but Republicans have never held such an event before.

The Republican National Committee has redirected users to its official convention website, while Democrats continue to use the incident to highlight perceived shortcomings in the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein Files.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.