{{Short description|Files on Jeffrey Epstein and his affiliates}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
<!-- Please do not use File:Release the Epstein Files (54865107452).jpg in the article unless the BLP issues have been resolved through consensus --> [[File:Epstein Files Phase 1, Part C – Contact Book Redacted.pdf|thumb|A contact book made public during the Epstein Files Phase 1 release in 2025, with the majority of its content redacted<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 2025 |title=The Epstein Files: How the saga unfolded within Trump's administration |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/epstein-files-trump-bondi-loomer-b2789668.html |access-date=July 18, 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718031549/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/epstein-files-trump-bondi-loomer-b2789668.html |archive-date=July 18, 2025 |last=O'Connell |first=Oliver |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Uribe |first=Maria Ramirez |last2=Sherman |first2=Amy |date=July 17, 2025 |title=What to know about the dismissal of the Epstein files by Trump's Justice Department |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-know-about-the-dismissal-of-the-epstein-files-by-trumps-justice-department |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717171347/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-know-about-the-dismissal-of-the-epstein-files-by-trumps-justice-department |archive-date=July 17, 2025 |access-date=July 18, 2025 |work=PBS News |publisher= |language=en-us |url-status=live}}</ref>]] {{Jeffrey Epstein series}}
The '''Epstein files''' are a partially released collection of millions of documents, images, videos, and emails related to the activities of American financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including his social circle of public figures, politicians, and celebrities.<ref name="BBC-2024-who-named">{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2024 |title=Jeffrey Epstein list: Who is named in court filings? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67861498 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713195321/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67861498 |archive-date=July 13, 2025 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The files include documents collected as evidence in the criminal cases against Epstein and his associates, stored as over 300 gigabytes of data, alongside other media, in the FBI's Sentinel case management system.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Scannell |first1=Kara |last2=Perez |first2=Evan |last3=Grayer |first3=Annie |last4=Barrett |first4=Ted |last5=Ferris |first5=Sarah |date=September 2, 2025 |title=The Epstein files have become a growing public relations crisis for Trump. Here's how we got here |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/epstein-files-release-09-02-25#cmf31r0l7001s3b6n7bjfl73d |access-date=September 2, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251227095851/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/epstein-files-release-09-02-25#cmf31r0l7001s3b6n7bjfl73d |archive-date=December 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> They include Epstein's contact book, flight logs of his planes, and court documents.<ref name="ABC Musk Epstein">{{Cite news |last=Steedman |first=Elissa |date=June 6, 2025 |title=Elon Musk says Donald Trump is in the Epstein files — here's the background |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-06/what-are-the-epstein-files-trump-musk-fight/105384646 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709213532/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-06/what-are-the-epstein-files-trump-musk-fight/105384646 |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name="Independent Epstein">{{Cite news |last=Baio |first=Ariana |date=February 28, 2025 |title=Epstein files: Names in disgraced financier's contact book released by Pam Bondi |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/epstein-files-pam-bondi-names-list-b2706666.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617183100/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/epstein-files-pam-bondi-names-list-b2706666.html |archive-date=June 17, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2024 |title=Jeffrey Epstein: Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton named in court files |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67865190 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708061512/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67865190 |archive-date=July 8, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-gb|last=Matza|first=Max|last2=Debusmann|first2=Bernd Jr.}}</ref> Many of the records and files belong to Epstein's estate, which is run by lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baxter |first=Brian |date=February 4, 2026 |title=Epstein Estate's Co-Executors to Testify Before House Panel |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/in-house-counsel/epsteins-personal-lawyer-indyke-to-testify-before-house-panel |website=Bloomberg Law}}</ref>
In November 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act,<ref name="NBC-2025-11-18">{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Live updates: House passes bill to release Epstein files; Trump defends Saudi crown prince |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-house-vote-epstein-files-bin-salman-gaza-venezuela-live-updates-rcna244150 |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203100429/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-house-vote-epstein-files-bin-salman-gaza-venezuela-live-updates-rcna244150 |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> and the U.S. Senate unanimously approved it,<ref name="Carney & Fuchs">{{Cite news |last1=Carney |first1=Jordaine |last2=Fuchs |first2=Hailey |last3=Lee Hill |first3=Meredith |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Senate approves Epstein files bill, sending it to Trump's desk |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/18/house-approves-epstein-files-bill-in-near-unanimous-vote-00656764 |work=Politico |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130005808/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/18/house-approves-epstein-files-bill-in-near-unanimous-vote-00656764 |archive-date=November 30, 2025 |access-date=November 22, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> with President Donald Trump signing the bill into law the next day.<ref name="Rimmer 2025">{{Cite news |last=Rimmer |first=Morgan |date=November 19, 2025 |title=Senate officially sends Epstein files bill to Trump's desk |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-presidency-epstein-files-release-11-19-25?post-id=cmi643e2w00003b6n4j8hyiz9 |access-date=November 19, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228094538/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-presidency-epstein-files-release-11-19-25?post-id=cmi643e2w00003b6n4j8hyiz9 |archive-date=December 28, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, the U.S. Department of Justice released a relatively small number of files, leading to criticism from both major parties in the US.<ref name="justicedepartmentjan302026release" /> Trump had previously floated the idea of releasing the files during his 2024 presidential campaign;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutzler |first=Alexandra |date=July 16, 2025 |title=What Trump has said about Epstein over the years, including on 2024 campaign trail |url=https://abc7news.com/post/what-trump-has-said-epstein-years-including-2024-campaign-trail/17153215/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251229224233/https://abc7news.com/post/what-trump-has-said-epstein-years-including-2024-campaign-trail/17153215/ |archive-date=December 29, 2025 |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> he later said that controversies surrounding the files were fabricated by members of the Democratic Party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2025 |title=Trump lashes out at 'PAST supporters' over 'Epstein Hoax' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/16/trump-lashes-out-at-past-supporters-over-epstein |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118013303/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/16/trump-lashes-out-at-past-supporters-over-epstein |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |access-date=September 12, 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2026, an additional 3 million pages were released, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.<ref name="justicedepartmentjan302026release">{{Cite web |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files |website=United States Department of Justice |date=January 30, 2026 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201211510/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files |archive-date=February 1, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> While the Department of Justice acknowledged that a total of 6 million pages might qualify as files required to be released,<ref name="epsteinfiles6millions">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/30/epstein-drop-live-00757275 |title=DOJ announces full release of Epstein files |first=Hailey |last=Fuchs |work=Politico |date=January 30, 2026 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> it stated that the January 30 release would be the final one, and that it had met its legal obligations.<ref name="reportedlegalobligationcompliance">{{cite news |last=Goudsward |first=Andrew |date=January 30, 2026 |title=Trump's Justice Department releases final cache of Jeffrey Epstein files |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-justice-department-releases-new-cache-jeffrey-epstein-files-2026-01-30/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 30, 2026 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Marcelo |first=Philip |last2=Riccardi |first2=Nicholas |date=February 1, 2026 |title=From Elon Musk to the former Prince Andrew, a who's who of powerful people named in Epstein files |url=https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-musk-andrew-tisch-google-682447e50bf9a3643a36c9b54ccdfa22 |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=AP News |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203190318/https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-musk-andrew-tisch-google-682447e50bf9a3643a36c9b54ccdfa22 |url-status=live}}</ref> The released files mentioned a number of public figures, and led to increased scrutiny of their activities.<ref name="NYT-20260202">{{cite news |last=Nierenberg |first=Amelia |last2=Specia |first2=Megan |date=February 2, 2026 |title=British and Norwegian Royal Families Under Pressure Over Epstein Files |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/world/europe/epstein-norway-britain-princess-fergie-emails.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Individuals whose names have shown up frequently in the files include: Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff, accountant Richard Kahn, Donald Trump and his wife Melania,<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Michael C. Bender |author2=Steve Eder |author3=Enrich, David |date=February 1, 2026 |title=How Trump Appears in the Epstein Files |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/us/trump-epstein-files.html |access-date=February 16, 2026 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> lawyer Darren Indyke, sex trafficker and socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, and modeling agent and alleged sex trafficker Jean-Luc Brunel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Nathaniel |date=February 13, 2026 |title=Who is Lesley Groff? CT woman was mentioned 150,000 times — the second most — in the Epstein files |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/lesley-groff-new-canaan-ct-epstein-files-21347639.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213161301/https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/lesley-groff-new-canaan-ct-epstein-files-21347639.php |archive-date=February 13, 2026 |website=CT Insider}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=May 2026}}
As of February 2026, three people have had criminal investigations launched into them due to their ties to Epstein, with one resulting in criminal charges and the others resulting in arrests thus far: former Norwegian prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who has been charged with aggravated corruption;<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharman |first=Laura |last2=Stockwell |first2=Billy |last3=Frater |first3=James |date=February 13, 2026 |title=Former Norway leader charged with corruption after probe into alleged Epstein ties, lawyers say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/europe/norway-pm-jagland-charged-epstein-ties-intl-hnk |work=CNN |archive-date=February 14, 2026 |access-date=February 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260214020217/https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/europe/norway-pm-jagland-charged-epstein-ties-intl-hnk |url-status=live}}</ref> Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor;<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/feb/19/police-arrest-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham-latest-updates |title=Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested: King Charles says 'law must take its course' as ex-prince taken into custody – live |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested and in custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t |work=BBC News |access-date=February 19, 2026 |date=February 19, 2026 |archive-date=February 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219110807/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=andrewreleasedafterbeingarrestedandquestioned.>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/feb/19/police-arrest-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham-latest-updates |title=Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released under investigation after arrest – live |work=The Guardian |date=February 19, 2026 |access-date=February 19, 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> and British politician Peter Mandelson.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/23/peter-mandelson-arrested-on-suspicion-of-misconduct-in-public-office |title=Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="leparisien-feb2026">{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=February 23, 2026 |title=Affaire Epstein : l'ex-ministre Peter Mandelson arrêté, annonce la police londonienne |trans-title=Epstein affair: Former minister Peter Mandelson arrested, London police announce |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/international/royaume-uni/affaire-epstein-lex-ministre-peter-mandelson-arrete-annonce-la-police-londonienne-23-02-2026-6FVJ6RSPXBBAFHK3K3AIMWNHWM.php |access-date=February 23, 2026 |work=Le Parisien |language=fr-FR |archive-date=February 23, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223200556/https://www.leparisien.fr/international/royaume-uni/affaire-epstein-lex-ministre-peter-mandelson-arrete-annonce-la-police-londonienne-23-02-2026-6FVJ6RSPXBBAFHK3K3AIMWNHWM.php |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Background == {{multiple image | total_width = 350 | image1 = U.S. Virgin Islands, Department of Justice, Sexual Offender Registry Photograph 4 (3x4 cropped).png | image2 = Maxwell 1993 (3x4 cropped).jpg | footer = Jeffrey Epstein (left) and Ghislaine Maxwell (right). }}
In 1996, Maria Farmer reported to the FBI that Epstein had "stolen" naked photos she had of her underage siblings, but says that she did not hear back.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bekiempis |first=Victoria |date=December 21, 2025 |title=Sister of Epstein victim reported him in 1996, but FBI failed to investigate, files reveal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/21/epstein-fbi-maria-farmer-annie-farmer |access-date=February 8, 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The Florida Palm Beach Police Department began investigating Epstein after a woman reported that her 14-year-old stepdaughter had been taken to Epstein's home and paid to strip and massage Epstein.<ref name="Weiss 20072">{{Cite journal |last=Weiss |first=Philip |date=December 8, 2007 |title=The Fantasist |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/41826/ |url-status=live |journal=New York |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017175912/http://nymag.com/news/features/41826/ |archive-date=October 17, 2016 |access-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> Following an investigation, the FBI identified at least 35 girls with a similar history between 2002 and 2005.<ref name="Sisak2">{{Cite news |last1=Sisak |first1=Michael R. |last2=Caruso |first2=David B. |last3=Neumeister |first3=Larry |date=February 8, 2026 |title=FBI concluded Jeffrey Epstein wasn't running a sex trafficking ring for powerful men, files show |url=https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-client-list-sex-trafficking-049c96080a2ca2c12c84ac506437e50b |access-date=February 15, 2026 |work=AP News |language=en |archive-date=February 13, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213035451/https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-client-list-sex-trafficking-049c96080a2ca2c12c84ac506437e50b |url-status=live}}</ref> Epstein was indicted<ref>{{cite web |date=July 1, 2008 |title=Indictment: Billionaire Solicited 3 Times |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2008/07/01/indictment-billionaire-solicited-3-times/2633559007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614061819/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20080701/NEWS/190918539 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |access-date=April 9, 2021}}</ref> and pleaded guilty to soliciting a 17 year old minor for prostitution in 2008.<ref name="VoxDersh2">{{cite web |last1=North |first1=Anna |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Alan Dershowitz helped sex offender Jeffrey Epstein get a plea deal. Now he's tweeting about age of consent laws. |url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/7/30/20746983/alan-dershowitz-jeffrey-epstein-sarah-ransome-giuffre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821205948/https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/7/30/20746983/alan-dershowitz-jeffrey-epstein-sarah-ransome-giuffre |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |access-date=August 21, 2019 |website=Vox}}</ref> He was registered as a sex offender and sentenced to 18 months in prison.<ref name="Sisak2" />
In 2018, an article in the ''Miami Herald'' critiqued his plea deal and sentence as lenient,<ref name="Sisak2" /> and interviewed victims who shared their experiences with Epstein between 2002 and 2005. Virginia Giuffre alleged that Epstein had been operating a trafficking ring that "lent out" girls to other powerful men.<ref name="Sisak2" />
The media coverage prompted New York federal prosecutors to reexamine the case and investigate potential additional Epstein offences between 2002 and 2005.<ref name="Sisak2" /> Investigators corroborated the victims stories of abuse.<ref name="Sisak2" /> According to declassified 2019 FBI investigation findings released in 2026, other victims did not corroborate Giuffre's specific allegation that Epstein had operated a trafficking "ring" that "lent out" girls to other powerful men.<ref name="Sisak2" /> Evidence seized from Epstein's homes also only implicated Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.<ref name="Sisak2" /> Epstein was arrested in July 2019, on charges of sex trafficking minors between 2002 and 2005 in New York and Florida.<ref name="jpost2">{{cite news |date=July 7, 2019 |title=Billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein charged with sex trafficking |url=https://www.jpost.com/International/Billionaire-sex-offender-Jeffrey-Epstein-charged-with-sex-trafficking-594864 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708043707/https://www.jpost.com/International/Billionaire-sex-offender-Jeffrey-Epstein-charged-with-sex-trafficking-594864 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=July 17, 2019 |work=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> He died of suicide in prison while awaiting trial.<ref name="Sisak2" />
Epstein cultivated a social circle of public figures that included politicians and celebrities.<ref name="BBC-2024-who-named" /> This has fuelled conspiracy theories that Epstein kept a "client list" to whom he allegedly trafficked young girls, that he used this to blackmail clients, and that these clients later killed him. These theories have been disseminated widely after his 2019 death, including by Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vasquez |first1=Meagan |last2=Liptak |first2=Kevin |date=July 23, 2020 |title=Trump claims not to be following Maxwell case despite long ties to Epstein |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/23/politics/donald-trump-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-history |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251222064701/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/23/politics/donald-trump-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-history |archive-date=December 22, 2025 |access-date=July 21, 2025 |work=CNN |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GuardJul252">{{cite news |last=Glenza |first=Jessica |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Rightwing influencers indignant over FBI claim that Jeffrey Epstein's client list doesn't exist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/08/rightwing-jeffrey-epstein-client-list |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=July 11, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="IndJul252">{{cite news |last=Kilander |first=Gustav |date=July 7, 2025 |title=Former Trump lawyer claims he knows Epstein client list names: 'But I'm bound by confidentiality' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/dershowitz-epstein-client-list-trump-b2786911.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130195045/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/dershowitz-epstein-client-list-trump-b2786911.html |archive-date=January 30, 2026 |access-date=July 11, 2025 |work=The Independent |url-status=live}}</ref> Under Trump's second administration, FBI investigators did not find evidence for the specific allegation of a "ring" in which Epstein "lent out" girls,<ref name="Sisak2" /> nor evidence of a "client list".<ref name="Sisak2" />
==Contents== {{Further|List of people named in the Epstein files}}
=== 2007 draft indictment === {{redirect-distinguish|Operation Leap Year|Operation (game)#Other versions}}
The FBI began investigating Epstein in 2006, following reports that he had been paying underage girls for sex in his Florida mansion. In 2007, federal prosecutors prepared a draft indictment consisting of 32 counts against Epstein and two of his employees for enticement of minors and sex trafficking.<ref name="nyt2007draft">{{cite news |last1=Barret |first1=Devlin |title=Draft Epstein Indictment Accused Him of Crimes Against More Than a Dozen Girls |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/us/politics/epstein-2007-draft-indictment.html |access-date=February 8, 2026 |work=The New York Times |date=January 30, 2025|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="AP-resignation-coop">{{Cite news |title=Epstein files lead to resignation in Slovakia and calls in Britain for former prince to cooperate |last=Sisak |first=Michael R. |date=January 31, 2026 |url=https://apnews.com/article/epstein-justice-department-trump-musk-andrew-tisch-d5dfbb26b93c46a4d6ab9ecf4eb3d3b1 |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=Associated Press |last2=Kirka |first2=Danica |last3=Finley |first3=Ben |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131175314/https://apnews.com/article/epstein-justice-department-trump-musk-andrew-tisch-d5dfbb26b93c46a4d6ab9ecf4eb3d3b1 |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ultimately, U.S. attorney Alexander Acosta signed off on a deal that allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution; Epstein instead pleaded guilty to a state charge of soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18 and received an 18-month jail sentence. No charges were presented against his employees.<ref name="AP-resignation-coop"/> The draft indictment described Epstein as "an extremely high flight risk and, from information we have received, a continued danger to the community based upon his continued enticement of underage girls."<ref name="abc2007draft">{{cite news |last1=Pezenik |first1=Sasha |title=2007 memo laying out Epstein case revealed for the 1st time |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/2007-memo-laying-epstein-case-revealed-1st-time/story?id=129723769 |work=ABC News |date=January 30, 2026 |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |access-date=February 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204002621/https://abcnews.go.com/US/2007-memo-laying-epstein-case-revealed-1st-time/story?id=129723769 |url-status=live}}</ref> It described many crimes that were ultimately not prosecuted in favor of Epstein's plea deal.<ref name="nyt2007draft" />
===2019 documents about investigation of alleged co-conspirators=== Emails from 2019 show that shortly after Epstein's 2019 arrest, FBI agents discussed contacting Ghislaine Maxwell and 9 other alleged co-conspirators, including Lesley Groff, Darren Indyke, Richard Kahn (accountant), Jean-Luc Brunel, and Les Wexner, in order to serve them with grand jury summonses. The emails do not name some of the alleged co-conspirators, but note the city or state each is in. An FBI agent noted in the email that "3 have been located in FL [Florida] and served [grand jury] subpoenas; 1 in Boston, 1 in NYC [New York City], and 1 in CT [Connecticut] were located and served."<ref name="Spargo">{{cite magazine |last1=Spargo |first1=Chris |title=FBI Identified 10 Alleged Co-Conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein During 2019 Sex Trafficking Trial |url=https://people.com/fbi-identified-10-alleged-co-conspirators-jeffrey-epstein-11876214 |access-date=February 8, 2026 |date=December 25, 2025 |magazine=People |archive-date=December 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251226104945/https://people.com/fbi-identified-10-alleged-co-conspirators-jeffrey-epstein-11876214 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York produced an 86-page memo called "Investigation into Potential Co-Conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein" that was sent to US Attorney Geoffrey Berman on December 19, 2019. The memo contains statements of 24 women who reported being abused by Epstein as minors and 14 who reported being abused by Epstein as adults. One of the women told prosecutors that Epstein had told her to give massages to two men in 2011 or 2012, and that one of the men tried to sexually assault her and the other man "forced her to touch his genitals and then raped [her]." The FBI has not commented on whether or not the men were investigated.<ref name="MiamiKBrown">{{cite news |last1=Healy |first1=Claire |last2=Brown |first2=Julie K |title=Who were the other men in the Epstein files? This is the FBI's own list |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article314609810.html |access-date=February 8, 2026 |work=Miami Herald |date=February 7, 2026 |archive-date=February 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208044907/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article314609810.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Makortoff |first1=Kalyeena |title=Rape allegation against ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley was raised in US Epstein investigation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/05/jes-staley-barclays-rape-allegation-us-prosecutors-epstein |work=The Guardian |date=February 5, 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
===Investigation documents=== One document detailed a diagram of Epstein's inner circle, including Maxwell, his lawyer Darren Indyke, and his accountant Richard Kahn.<ref name="NYT-what-to-know" /> The undated diagram also showed Jean-Luc Brunel, a French model agent with longtime ties to Epstein who faced rape charges in France before dying by suicide in a French jail in 2022.<ref name="CNN-diagram">{{Cite news |title=Diagram shows parts of Epstein's inner circle but redacts some close associates |last=Owermohle |first=Sarah |date=January 31, 2026 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/31/politics/jeffrey-epstein-files-release-doj |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203172000/https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/31/politics/jeffrey-epstein-files-release-doj |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> The document listed other close associates including Epstein's personal chef, pilots, and Peter Listerman, a model scout described in the file as a "subject/witness" and model "matchmaker".<ref name="CNN-diagram"/> It also listed Les Wexner, the billionaire business magnate who employed Epstein as a money manager and has said he severed ties with Epstein in 2007.<ref name="CNN-diagram"/>
While the diagram indicated that the DOJ had been investigating people close to Epstein for potential involvement, other individuals identified were known Epstein employees, none of whom were charged.<ref name="CNN-diagram"/> The Justice Department redacted the names and photographs of five other individuals on the diagram, including Maxwell's assistant and four Epstein employees, one of whom was listed as a "girlfriend/employee".<ref name="CNN-diagram"/> Victims and advocates criticized the Justice Department for what they characterized as heavy but inconsistent redactions of names and details throughout the released documents.<ref name="CNN-diagram"/>
=== Social connections and meetings === The release detailed Epstein's associations with numerous prominent individuals.<ref name="AP-largest-batch"/><ref name="NYT-names">{{Cite news |title=New Epstein Files Name Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Other Powerful Men |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/us/epstein-trump-gates-musk-tisch-andrew.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 31, 2026 |access-date=January 31, 2026 |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="BBC-Ep-millions-released">{{Cite news |title=Millions of Jeffrey Epstein files released by US justice department |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cevnmxyy4wjo |work=BBC News |date=January 31, 2026 |access-date=January 31, 2026 |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131003606/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cevnmxyy4wjo |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |last1=Venkatraman |first1=Sakshi |last2=Asiedu |first2=Kwasi Gyamfi |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT-what-to-know"/><ref name="AP-resignation-coop"/> The documents further illustrated how Epstein's relationships with powerful figures persisted even after he became a convicted sex offender in 2008, contradicting or undermining years of public denials from some associates.<ref name="NYT-close-to-epstein">{{Cite news |last=Confessore |first=Nicholas |date=January 31, 2026 |title=They Said They Weren't Close to Epstein. New Documents Show Otherwise. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/us/epstein-powerful-men.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=The New York Times |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-McKelvie">{{Cite news |last=McKelvie |first=Geraldine |date=January 31, 2026 |title=What have we learned from the newly released Epstein files? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/31/epstein-files-what-have-we-learned-prince-andrew-peter-mandelson-elon-musk-donald-trump |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
=== UK government leaks === The files contain market sensitive and secret information stemming from the heart of the UK Government, which appears to have been sent to Epstein by Peter Mandelson.<ref name="bbcmandelson2">{{cite news |title=Mandelson told Epstein of plan for huge EU bailout, emails suggest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/clynp40ekrdt |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206063503/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/clynp40ekrdt |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theguard">{{cite news |title=Mandelson could face police inquiry over alleged leak to Epstein |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/02/mandelson-could-face-police-inquiry-over-alleged-leak-to-epstein |work=The Guardian |access-date=February 3, 2026 |date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date= |last=Elgot |first=Jessica |last2=Sinmaz |first2=Emine}}</ref><ref name="itvnews">{{cite news |last=Peston |first=Robert |date=February 2, 2026 |title=Mandelson's 'betrayal of trust' in forwarding Downing Street emails to Epstein |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-02/mandelsons-betrayal-of-trust-in-forwarding-downing-street-emails-to-epstein |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203205446/https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-02/mandelsons-betrayal-of-trust-in-forwarding-downing-street-emails-to-epstein |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |access-date=February 3, 2026 |work=ITV News |url-status=live}}</ref> One email sent to Epstein from a redacted address in August 2009, appeared to reveal Prime Minister Gordon Brown's pseudonym, "John Pond", along with Brown's secure email address.<ref name="bbcmandelson2"/><ref name="theguard"/><ref name="itvnews"/>
=== Manipulation of Epstein's article on Wikipedia === [[File:Jeffrey Epstein mug shot.jpg|thumb|The 2006 mugshot that Al Seckel tried to replace on Wikipedia]]
The files contain a late 2010 email by Al Seckel to Epstein in which he mentions Epstein's mug shot on Wikipedia, and that he was trying to replace it with a friendly picture of Epstein, in addition to removing the term "sex offender" from Epstein's article on Wikipedia at a time when Epstein was trying to rebuild his public image after being released from jail in July 2009.<ref name="Betts 2025">{{Cite news |title=Epstein sought to restore his reputation after guilty plea, documents reveal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/14/epstein-reputation-documents |work=The Guardian |date=November 14, 2025 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |issn=0261-3077 |language=en-GB |first=Anna |last=Betts |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
===Epstein's death=== {{main|Death of Jeffrey Epstein}}
The released files included emails between investigators regarding Epstein's death, including an investigator's observation that his final communication did not appear to be a suicide note.<ref name="ABC-Whitehurst">{{Cite news |last=Whitehurst |first=Lindsay |date=January 30, 2026 |title=Huge cache of Epstein documents includes emails financier exchanged with wealthy and powerful |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/huge-cache-epstein-documents-includes-emails-financier-exchanged-129722437 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131080600/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/huge-cache-epstein-documents-includes-emails-financier-exchanged-129722437 |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=ABC News |url-status=live}}</ref> Multiple investigations have determined that Epstein's death was a suicide.<ref name="ABC-Whitehurst"/> The records also detailed a tactic that jail staffers used to evade media gathered outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center when Epstein's body was removed: staff used boxes and sheets to create what appeared to be a body and loaded it into a white van labeled as belonging to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.<ref name="ABC-Whitehurst"/> Reporters followed the van when it departed the jail, not knowing that Epstein's actual body had been loaded into a black vehicle, which left "unnoticed", according to the interview notes.<ref name="ABC-Whitehurst"/>
=== Financial records === {{main|Estate of Jeffrey Epstein}}
Epstein signed a 32-page trust two days before his death. The document names 40 beneficiaries of his $600 million estate. He left $100 million to his girlfriend, Belarusian dentist Karyna Shuliak. He left $50 million to his personal lawyer Darren Indyke, and $25 million to his accountant Richard Kahn. Indyke and Kahn were named as co-executors of Epstein's estate.<ref name="1953 trust"/>
He left Ghislaine Maxwell and his brother Mark Epstein $10 million each, and $5 million to Harvard math professor Martin Nowak. It is unclear how much the beneficiaries received, as the estate has shrunk due to taxes and payments to victims. At least one named beneficiary, Mark Epstein, has said he was unaware of being named as a beneficiary to the estate.<ref name="1953 trust">{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Matthew |title=Epstein's Trust Reveals Who Would Inherit His Fortune |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/business/jeffrey-epstein-trust-inherit-karyna-shuliak.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KlA.aQ6C.KPP5ny4rahZK&smid=url-share |access-date=February 7, 2026 |work=The New York Times |date=February 3, 2026}}</ref>
Kahn sat for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee on March 11, 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grayer |first=Annie |date=March 11, 2026 |title=Longtime Epstein accountant takes questions from House Oversight Committee in probe of late sex offender |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/11/politics/richard-kahn-epstein-accountant-house-deposition |access-date=March 11, 2026 |work=CNN |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
== Redaction failures == thumb|class=skin-invert-image|An example of redaction failure, which are seen in some of the Epstein files.|432x432px
Faulty redaction techniques in the December 2025 release allowed members of the public to recover blacked-out content, revealing information that officials had intended to withhold from public viewing.<ref name="Nerkar 2025"/><ref name="Chidi 2025"/> Social media users discovered that blacked-out text in certain documents could be revealed by copying and pasting it into another application; the flaw traced back to a 2021 court filing by the Virgin Islands attorney general's office in a civil racketeering case, which the Justice Department had incorporated into its release.<ref name="CNN-botched-redactions">{{Cite news |title=Botched Epstein redactions trace back to Virgin Islands' 2020 civil racketeering case against estate |last=Cohen |first=Marshall |date=December 23, 2025 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/politics/epstein-redactions-glitch-virgin-islands |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131212538/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/politics/epstein-redactions-glitch-virgin-islands |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> At least 550 pages in the initial December release were entirely blacked out, including a 255-page series of consecutive documents and a 119-page grand jury transcript.<ref name="CBS-500-pages-blacked-out">{{Cite news |title=Over 500 pages in initial Epstein files release were entirely blacked out, CBS News finds |last=Walsh |first=Joe |date=December 21, 2025 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epstein-files-redaction-over-500-pages-entirely-blacked-out/ |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204202002/https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/epstein-files-redaction-over-500-pages-entirely-blacked-out/ |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> Among the recovered content was an unverified FBI tip alleging that Trump had witnessed the killing and disposal of an infant born to a 13-year-old trafficking victim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PerryCook |first=Taija |date=December 26, 2025 |title=FBI tip alleged Trump witnessed Epstein victim's baby being killed, dumped in Lake Michigan |url=https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-baby-lake-michigan/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |website=Snopes |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231092439/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-baby-lake-michigan/ |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Epstein Files: Trump witnessed the killing of my newborn baby, 13-year-old girl who was sex trafficked told FBI |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/epstein-files-trump-witnessed-the-killing-of-my-newborn-baby-13-year-old-girl-told-fbi-1766648320302 |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=Wion |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
The January 2026 release drew further criticism over redaction failures. The Justice Department published dozens of unredacted nude images showing young women or possibly teenagers with their faces visible; the images were largely removed after ''The New York Times'' began notifying the department.<ref name="NYT-dozens-nude">{{Cite news |title=The Government Published Dozens of Nude Photos in the Epstein Files |last=Baker |first=Mike |date=February 1, 2026 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/us/nude-photos-epstein-files.html |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The New York Times |last2=Tate |first2=Julie |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Attorneys for survivors said the names of victims who had never been publicly linked to Epstein appeared unredacted in the files.<ref name="ABC-survivor-names">{{Cite news |title=Latest release of Epstein files includes some survivors' names, despite DOJ assurances, lawyers say |last=Hill |first=James |date=January 30, 2026 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/latest-release-epstein-files-includes-survivors-names-despite/story?id=129713987 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131211354/https://abcnews.go.com/US/latest-release-epstein-files-includes-survivors-names-despite/story?id=129713987 |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> A ''Wall Street Journal'' review found that at least 43 victims' full names were exposed, including more than two dozen who were minors when they were abused; some names appeared over 100 times, and home addresses were visible in keyword searches.<ref name="WSJ-43-victims">{{Cite news |title=Epstein Files Release Exposes Names of at Least 43 Victims, WSJ Review Finds |last=Safdar |first=Khadeeja |date=February 1, 2026 |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/epstein-files-release-exposes-names-of-at-least-43-victims-wsj-review-finds-ba4ff95e |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=The Wall Street Journal |last2=Whitton |first2=Brian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202042841/https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/epstein-files-release-exposes-names-of-at-least-43-victims-wsj-review-finds-ba4ff95e |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Brad Edwards and Brittany Henderson, attorneys who had provided the Justice Department with a list of 350 victims on December 4 to ensure their names would be redacted, said the department failed to perform a basic keyword search to verify its redaction process; Edwards said there were "literally thousands of mistakes".<ref name="ABC-survivor-names"/><ref name="WSJ-43-victims"/> Victim Anouska de Georgiou, who had testified against Ghislaine Maxwell, said her driver's license was among the exposed materials and accused the government of "a profound disregard for the safety, protection, and well-being of victims".<ref name="WSJ-43-victims"/>
The Department of Justice established an email inbox for victims to report redaction errors and said it would remove affected documents pending correction.<ref name="ABC-survivor-names"/> Attorneys Jennifer Freeman and Sigrid McCawley criticized the handling of the release; Freeman called the redactions "ham-fisted" and accused the department of "hiding the names of perpetrators while exposing survivors".<ref name="Guardian-outrageous-survivors">{{Cite news |title=Handling of Epstein files is 'outrageous', say attorneys of his sex trafficking survivors |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=February 1, 2026 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/01/jeffrey-epstein-files-sex-trafficking-survivors |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Guardian |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Department officials acknowledged that many records in the files were duplicates; reviewers appeared to have applied different standards when redacting names and other identifying information, with some documents showing a name left exposed in one copy but redacted in another.<ref name="AP-resignation-coop"/>
On February 1, 2026, attorneys representing more than 200 alleged victims asked federal judges Richard Berman and Paul Engelmayer to order the immediate takedown of the Justice Department's Epstein Files website, calling the release "the single most egregious violation of victim privacy in one day in United States history".<ref name="ABC-victims-takedown">{{Cite news |title=Epstein victims' lawyers ask court to order DOJ to take down Epstein Files website |last=Hill |first=James |date=February 1, 2026 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/epstein-victims-lawyers-court-order-doj-epstein-files/story?id=129766059 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202030729/https://abcnews.go.com/US/epstein-victims-lawyers-court-order-doj-epstein-files/story?id=129766059 |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the department's procedures, saying redaction errors affected "about .001%" of all materials and that the department moved quickly to fix mistakes when notified.<ref name="ABC-victims-takedown"/>
== Position of Trump administration == {{See also|Relationship of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein}}
During the 2024 U.S. presidential election campaign, Donald Trump and his allies pledged to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein held by the federal government. Trump stated in interviews that he would "probably" make additional Epstein records public,<ref name="trail"/> while allies including JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. accused the Biden administration of concealing a list of Epstein's clients.<ref name="USAToday-promised-transparency">{{Cite news |last=Bagchi |first=Aysha |title=Trump's team promised transparency on Epstein. Here's what they delivered. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/11/trump-administration-jeffrey-epstein-client-list-timeline/84504096007/ |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251226231629/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/11/trump-administration-jeffrey-epstein-client-list-timeline/84504096007/ |archive-date=December 26, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> After taking office, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in February 2025 that she was reviewing Epstein-related material at President Trump's direction,<ref name="BBCJul25"/> and the FBI undertook an extensive review of approximately 100,000 records.<ref name="CNBC18July2025"/>
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a memo concluding that no "client list" existed in the Epstein files, that no credible evidence supported claims Epstein had blackmailed prominent individuals, and that his death was a suicide.<ref name="BBCJul25"/><ref name="AP07212025">{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Eric |last2=Richer |first2=Alanna Durkin |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Epstein 'client list' doesn't exist, Justice Department says, walking back theory Bondi had promoted |url=https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3 |access-date=July 21, 2025 |work=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215225042/https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3 |archive-date=December 15, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fbimemo-justicegov" /> The announcement drew criticism from Trump supporters and Democratic lawmakers alike.<ref name="BBCJul25"/><ref name="AP_trolling">{{Cite news |last=J. Cooper |first=Johnathan |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Democrats are trolling Trump and the GOP over the Jeffrey Epstein case |url=https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-democrats-trump-2790e079520fbd2d60cf3df28e1ca22b |access-date=July 16, 2025 |work=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230193211/https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-democrats-trump-2790e079520fbd2d60cf3df28e1ca22b |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Reporting by ''The Wall Street Journal'' and ''The New York Times'' subsequently revealed that Bondi had informed Trump in May that his name appeared in the files alongside "unverified hearsay", and that officials had advised against public disclosure.<ref name="wsj/727a8038">{{Cite news |last1=Gurman |first1=Sadie |last2=Linskey |first2=Annie |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |last4=Leary |first4=Alex |title=Exclusive {{!}} Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/justice-department-told-trump-name-in-epstein-files-727a8038 |access-date=August 2, 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 23, 2025 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128234545/https://www.wsj.com/politics/justice-department-told-trump-name-in-epstein-files-727a8038 |archive-date=January 28, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news |title=Trump Administration Live Updates: Attorney General Alerted Trump His Name Appeared in Epstein Files |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/23/us/trump-news |access-date=July 24, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251105035315/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/23/us/trump-news |archive-date=November 5, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump characterized the files as falsified documents created by political opponents<ref name="deadline"/> and filed a defamation lawsuit against the ''Wall Street Journal'' over its coverage.<ref name="Guardian0718">{{Cite web |title=Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over Epstein report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/trump-libel-lawsuit-wsj-dow-jones-rupert-murdoch |accessdate=July 18, 2025 |work=The Guardian |first=David |last=Smith |date=July 19, 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On November 19, 2025, Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed to mandate release of DOJ records related to Epstein.<ref name="Lebowitz">{{cite news |last=Lebowitz |first=Megan |date=November 19, 2025 |title=Trump signs bill to release the DOJ's Epstein files |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-signs-bill-release-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-files-rcna244793 |access-date=November 19, 2025 |work=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228150831/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-signs-bill-release-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-files-rcna244793 |archive-date=December 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> The signing took place without reporters present.<ref name="Rimmer 2025" />
=== Trump's relationship with Epstein === right|start=03:57|thumb|Trump, in 2019, talks about his relationship with Epstein.
{{Main|Relationship of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein}}
Trump and Epstein were acquainted from the late 1980s through about the mid-2000s. In a 2002 interview with ''New York'' magazine, Trump called Epstein a "terrific guy" who "likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side".<ref name="18July2025AlJazeera">{{Cite news |date=July 18, 2025 |title=How well did Trump and Epstein really know each other? A timeline |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/18/how-well-did-trump-and-epstein-really-know-each-other-a-timeline |access-date=July 24, 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221233107/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/18/how-well-did-trump-and-epstein-really-know-each-other-a-timeline |archive-date=December 21, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their relationship cooled in the early 2000s, with commonly cited reasons including disputes over employees and a 2004 real estate deal in Palm Beach, Florida, in which Trump outbid Epstein on an oceanfront mansion. In 2003, Trump contributed a letter to a bound album of birthday greetings given to Epstein on his 50th birthday; ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported the letter contained suggestive content, which Trump denied writing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Safdar |first1=Khadeeja |last2=Palazzolo |first2=Joe |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump. |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-birthday-letter-we-have-certain-things-in-common-f918d796 |access-date=July 18, 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 17, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717224841/https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-birthday-letter-we-have-certain-things-in-common-f918d796 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sentner |first=Irie |date=July 17, 2025 |title=Trump will sue the WSJ, directs Bondi to unseal Epstein material |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/17/trump-epstein-lawsuit-wall-street-journal-letter-00461871 |access-date=July 18, 2025 |work=Politico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928004635/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/17/trump-epstein-lawsuit-wall-street-journal-letter-00461871 |archive-date=September 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2007, Trump revoked Epstein's membership at Mar-a-Lago.<ref name="Brown-2018">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Julie K. |author-link=Julie K. Brown |date=November 28, 2018 |title=For years, Jeffrey Epstein abused teen girls, police say. A timeline of his case |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article221404845.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815165036/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article221404845.html |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |access-date=August 2, 2019 |work=Miami Herald}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=February 2026}}
=== Campaign promises (2024) === During the Biden administration, Trump allies, including Kash Patel, promoted claims that the FBI was withholding an Epstein "client list" and urged its release. In a speech at the Turning Point Action convention in June 2024, Donald Trump Jr. accused the Biden administration of keeping the list secret to protect pedophiles; in October, JD Vance said "we need to release the Epstein list".<ref name="USAToday-promised-transparency" /> Trump, despite having brought up a connection between Epstein and Bill Clinton at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference,<ref name="youtube-cpacconference-2015">{{cite AV media |people=Sean Hannity, Donald Trump |date=January 6, 2018 |title=Remarks: Donald Trump Addresses CPAC Conference With Hannity in Oxon Hill, MD - February 27, 2015 |medium=Internet video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tjuQZx-koc |access-date=July 26, 2025 |time=21:09 min. |publisher=Roll Call Factbase videos |quote=[Total running time, 24:10 min.]}}</ref> rarely mentioned the Epstein files during this period; yet, he did not refute his allies' claims.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Popli |first=Nik |date=July 17, 2025 |title=Trump Kept Epstein Issue at Arm's Length. His Allies Did Not |url=https://time.com/7302995/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-jd-vance/ |access-date=July 28, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=July 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718165836/https://time.com/7302995/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-jd-vance/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On two occasions during his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump pledged to release the Epstein files. In a June 2024 interview with Fox News, when asked whether he would declassify them, Trump responded, "Yeah, yeah, I would." The clip was shared by an official Trump campaign account on Twitter. The unedited answer aired later shows Trump saying he was not sure he would because "you don't want to affect people's lives if it's phony stuff in there, because it's a lot of phony stuff with that whole world".<ref>{{Cite news |title=House Democrats demand answers from Fox News on edits to Trump's Epstein comments |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=July 18, 2025 |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-trump-epstein-interview-democrats-b2791247.html |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206055526/https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-trump-epstein-interview-democrats-b2791247.html |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="trail">{{Cite web |last=Hutzler |first=Alexandra |date=July 17, 2025 |title=What Trump has said about Jeffrey Epstein over the years, including on 2024 campaign trail |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-years-including-2024-campaign-trail/story?id=123778541 |access-date=July 28, 2025 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202023926/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-years-including-2024-campaign-trail/story?id=123778541 |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a September 2024 interview with Lex Fridman, Trump stated he would have "no problem" releasing additional Epstein files and would "probably" make the client list public.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coen |first=Susie |date=September 3, 2024 |title=Trump promises to release Epstein 'client list' if he wins the election |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/09/03/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-release-list-us-election/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709134828/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/09/03/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-release-list-us-election/ |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="trail" />
=== Initial releases and FBI review (February–May 2025) === U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked on February 21, 2025, by Fox News journalist John Roberts whether the Justice Department would publish "the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients", and Bondi replied: "It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that."<ref name="BBCJul25">{{cite news |last=Debusmann |first=Bernd Jr |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2m879neljo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709001233/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2m879neljo |title=US justice department finds no Epstein 'client list' |date=July 7, 2025 |work=BBC News |access-date=July 11, 2025 |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=CNN |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=Pam Bondi's botched handling of the Epstein files |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/07/politics/bondi-epstein-files-client-list-suicide-memo |access-date=July 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707174534/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/07/politics/bondi-epstein-files-client-list-suicide-memo |archive-date=July 7, 2025 |date=July 7, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 27, she released documents that contained no significant new information.<ref name="CNBC18July2025">{{Cite news |last=Mangan |first=Dan |date=July 18, 2025 |title=FBI agents were told to 'flag' any Epstein records that mentioned Trump, Sen. Durbin says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/18/trump-epstein-fbi-durbin.html |access-date=July 19, 2025 |work=CNBC |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202200030/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/18/trump-epstein-fbi-durbin.html |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Faced with outcry from a disappointed public, Bondi demanded that FBI Director Kash Patel provide the extensive material she had originally requested from him.<ref name="Bloomberg1Aug2025">{{Cite news |last=Leopold |first=Jason |date=August 1, 2025 |title=The FBI Redacted Trump's Name in the Epstein Files |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-01/epstein-files-trump-s-name-was-redacted-by-the-fbi?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc1NDA1OTE1MiwiZXhwIjoxNzU0NjYzOTUyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUMEJLSjNHUTdMOEUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIyQjE3NzFFOTlEODc0QzRDOTY1Njg1RTZBQkJGM0QwRCJ9.3ALPrarxmje8f879sHyUxeFbyg60ntxdgX4Ar8jOZLQ&utm_source=buzzfeed&utm_medium=iframely |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=August 1, 2025 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref> Michael Seidel, the section chief of the FBI's Record/Information Dissemination Section, objected to Bondi's order and was forced to resign.<ref name="Bloomberg1Aug2025" /> The FBI worked on Epstein records for two weeks during late March, according to Senator Dick Durbin. He later wrote:<blockquote>[Bondi] pressured the FBI to put approximately 1,000 personnel ... on 24-hour shifts to review approximately 100,000 Epstein-related records in order to produce more documents that could then be released on an arbitrarily short deadline. This effort ... was haphazardly supplemented by hundreds of FBI New York Field Office personnel, many of whom lacked the expertise to identify statutorily-protected information regarding child victims and child witnesses or properly handle FOIA requests. My office was told that these personnel were instructed to "flag" any records in which President Trump was mentioned.<ref name="CNBC18July2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Richard |first=Durbin |date=July 18, 2025 |title=Richard J. Durbin to Kash Patel |url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2025-07-18%20RJD%20Letter%20to%20FBI%20Director%20Patel%20re%20Epstein.pdf |access-date=July 19, 2025 |website=judiciary.senate.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203000246/https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2025-07-18%20RJD%20Letter%20to%20FBI%20Director%20Patel%20re%20Epstein.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote>
In the documents, the FBI found dozens of high-profile names, including Trump's. A unit of FOIA officers, citing exemptions in FOIA law, redacted Trump's name because, although he was then a sitting president, he had been a private citizen when the 2006 federal investigation into Epstein began.<ref name="Bloomberg1Aug2025" /> Lawyer and law professor Alan Dershowitz said in an interview with Sean Spicer on March 19, 2025, that he knew the names of individuals on such a list and unreleased files relating to Epstein, adding that "I know why they're being suppressed. I know who's suppressing them" and that he was "bound by confidentiality from a judge and cases, and I can't disclose what I know."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fields |first=Ashleigh |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Dershowitz says he knows Epstein client list names: 'But I'm bound by confidentiality' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5395597-dershowitz-says-he-knows-epstein-client-list-names-but-im-bound-by-confidentiality/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711010724/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5395597-dershowitz-says-he-knows-epstein-client-list-names-but-im-bound-by-confidentiality/ |archive-date=July 11, 2025 |access-date=July 11, 2025 |work=The Hill}}</ref><ref name="IndJul252" /> Dershowitz had been part of the legal team that negotiated a non-prosecution agreement for Epstein in 2006.<ref name="IndJul252" />
In May, Bondi informed Trump that his name appeared in the Epstein files. She also said that the files contained "unverified hearsay" about Trump and others, child pornography and identifying information on Epstein's victims. As such, officials advised that the files should not be disclosed. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung denied reports that Trump was advised not to release the files, and Bondi said that "As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings".<ref name="wsj/727a8038" /><ref name="The New York Times"/> Shortly thereafter, Bondi canceled her appearance at CPAC's International Summit Against Human Trafficking, citing a torn cornea.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Trump's under-fire AG Pam Bondi skips human trafficking summit over medical issue |last=Sommerlad |first=Joe |date=July 24, 2025 |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pam-bondi-epstein-trump-cpac-b2795080.html |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206055530/https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pam-bondi-epstein-trump-cpac-b2795080.html |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''Politico'', "[f]ollowing the reported briefing in May, Trump appears to have sought to narrow the government's public disclosures to avoid releasing information."<ref name="khardori-politico">{{cite news |last1=Khardori |first1=Ankush |date=July 25, 2025 |title=The Epstein Files Timeline Raises Real Questions for Trump |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/07/25/trump-epstein-files-timeline-column-00475334 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725183719/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/07/25/trump-epstein-files-timeline-column-00475334 |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |access-date=July 26, 2025 |work=Politico}}</ref> On May 18, Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino told Fox News that Epstein had died by suicide.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=July 24, 2025 |title=Analysis: Timeline suggests Trump team changed its tune on Epstein files after Trump was told he was in them |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/24/politics/trump-epstein-files-pivot-timeline |access-date=July 25, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120013322/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/24/politics/trump-epstein-files-pivot-timeline |archive-date=January 20, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 6, the ''Joe Rogan Experience'' aired an interview with Kash Patel, who said of the Epstein matter, "We've reviewed all the information, and the American public is going to get as much as we can release. He killed himself. ... Do you really think I wouldn't give that [video evidence] to you, if it existed?"<ref name="youtube-cpacconference-2015" />
=== DOJ memo and administration response (July–November 2025) === thumb|start=00:08|President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi on Jeffrey Epstein, July 8, 2025
On July 6, 2025, ''Axios'' reported that the Department of Justice and FBI had concluded in a two-page memo that no evidence existed that Epstein kept a "client list", blackmailed prominent individuals, or was murdered; the memo also affirmed the medical examiner's finding that Epstein died by suicide.<ref name="BBCJul25"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-client-list-trump-administration |title=Exclusive: DOJ, FBI conclude Epstein had no 'client list,' died by suicide |last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |work=Axios |language=en-US |url-status=live |date=July 6, 2025 |access-date=July 26, 2025 |archive-date=January 11, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111020806/https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-client-list-trump-administration |quote=President Trump's Justice Department and FBI have concluded they have no evidence that convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed powerful figures, kept a 'client list' or was murdered, according to a memo detailing the findings obtained by Axios.}}</ref> The DOJ publicly released the memo on July 7, stating it "did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties" and would not release further Epstein-related documents.<ref name="khardori-politico" /><ref name="AP07212025" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Ryan |date=July 7, 2025 |title=DOJ says no evidence Jeffrey Epstein had a 'client list' or blackmailed associates |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/07/07/g-s1-76367/doj-jeffrey-epstein-memo |access-date=July 22, 2025 |work=NPR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107090733/https://www.npr.org/2025/07/07/g-s1-76367/doj-jeffrey-epstein-memo |archive-date=January 7, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked what Bondi had meant in February when she said Epstein material was "on her desk", White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Bondi had been referring to "the entirety of all of the paperwork" related to Epstein's crimes rather than any specific client list; Bondi offered a similar clarification at a cabinet meeting the following day.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Trump shrugs off questions over Epstein memo, calling them 'a desecration' |last=Judd |first=Donald |date=July 8, 2025 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/epstein-memo-trump-bondi-maga |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918052223/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/epstein-memo-trump-bondi-maga |archive-date=September 18, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Eric |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Trump comes to Bondi's defense amid uproar from his base over Jeffrey Epstein files flop |url=https://apnews.com/article/bondi-epstein-justice-department-trump-c48d6fe79a38ffdf804d8b5042042504 |access-date=February 15, 2026 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abels |first=Grace |date=July 8, 2025 |title=What the Trump admin has said about Epstein files release |url=https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/jul/08/timeline-trump-admin-epstein-files-release/ |access-date=July 14, 2025 |website=Politifact |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251222030411/https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/jul/08/timeline-trump-admin-epstein-files-release/ |archive-date=December 22, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The administration's position drew criticism from across the political spectrum. Democratic representatives challenged the findings,<ref name="AP_trolling"/> while right-wing activists and influencers—including the Hodgetwins, Alex Jones, Rogan O'Handley, and Liz Wheeler—expressed skepticism.<ref name="GuardJul252" /><ref name="BBCJul25"/> Bondi faced particular criticism from many in the MAGA movement.<ref name="CNNJuddHolmes">{{Cite news |last1=Judd |first1=Donald |last2=Holmes |first2=Kristen |date=July 13, 2025 |title=Trump defends Bondi amid MAGA fallout over her handling of Epstein investigation |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/12/politics/bondi-epstein-investigation-trump |access-date=July 18, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117005304/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/12/politics/bondi-epstein-investigation-trump |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PoliticoMontellaro">{{Cite news |last=Montellaro |first=Zach |date=July 12, 2025 |title='I don't like what's happening': Trump tries to quell MAGA blowup over Epstein |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/12/trump-epstein-investigation-pam-bondi-00449926 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=Politico |language=en |archive-date=July 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714160945/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/12/trump-epstein-investigation-pam-bondi-00449926 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DWSexton">{{Cite news |last=Sexton |first=Karl |date=July 13, 2025 |title=Trump urges MAGA supporters to forget about Epstein files |url=https://www.dw.com/en/trump-urges-maga-supporters-to-forget-about-epstein-files/a-73256296 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=Deutsche Welle |language=en |archive-date=July 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713010243/https://www.dw.com/en/trump-urges-maga-supporters-to-forget-about-epstein-files/a-73256296 |url-status=live}}</ref> Podcaster Joe Rogan called the administration's reversal a "line in the sand", particularly for supporters who had backed Trump based on promised transparency.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Griffing |first1=Alex |date=July 28, 2025 |title=Joe Rogan Calls The Epstein Case a 'Line in the Sand' And Rips the Trump Admin For 'Gaslighting' Its Supporters |url=https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/joe-rogan-calls-the-epstein-case-a-line-in-the-sand-and-rips-the-trump-admin-for-gaslighting-its-supporters/ |access-date=July 29, 2025 |website=Mediaite |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251229134705/https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/joe-rogan-calls-the-epstein-case-a-line-in-the-sand-and-rips-the-trump-admin-for-gaslighting-its-supporters/ |archive-date=December 29, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stelter |first1=Brian |date=July 28, 2025 |title=Joe Rogan isn't letting go of Epstein — that's a problem for Trump |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/28/media/joe-rogan-trump-epstein-scandal-kash-patel |access-date=July 29, 2025 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116085927/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/28/media/joe-rogan-trump-epstein-scandal-kash-patel |archive-date=January 16, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> At a July 9 White House meeting that included Bondi, Dan Bongino, Kash Patel, and chief of staff Susie Wiles, Bongino and Patel were reportedly confronted over the memo; Bongino subsequently considered resigning.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Kristen |last2=Collins |first2=Kaitlan |last3=Rabinowitz |first3=Hannah |last4=Perez |first4=Evan |date=July 11, 2025 |title=Deputy FBI Director Bongino has told people he is considering resigning amid Epstein files fallout, sources say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/11/politics/bongino-consider-resigning-epstein-files |access-date=July 11, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711183839/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/11/politics/bongino-consider-resigning-epstein-files |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Kaitlan |last2=Holmes |first2=Kristen |last3=Perez |first3=Evan |last4=Reid |first4=Paula |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Bongino still in limbo as Trump fumes and JD Vance seeks to play mediator, sources say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/14/politics/dan-bongino-epstein |access-date=July 14, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=July 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714205235/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/14/politics/dan-bongino-epstein |url-status=live}}</ref> On August 18, Bondi and Patel announced that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey would share the deputy FBI director role with Bongino, with Bailey sworn in on September 15.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bondi, Patel bring in Missouri AG to serve as FBI co-deputy director with Dan Bongino |last=Lybrand |first=Holmes |date=August 18, 2025 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/18/politics/fbi-andrew-bailey-bongino |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251227163709/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/18/politics/fbi-andrew-bailey-bongino |archive-date=December 27, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some figures supported the administration's account that further disclosure was unnecessary, including Epstein's former attorney David Schoen, who had helped negotiate a 2008 plea deal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fields |first=Ashleigh |date=July 16, 2025 |title=Epstein lawyer: Bondi, Trump not withholding client list |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5403379-david-schoen-jeffrey-epstein-client-list-trump-administration/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717055218/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5403379-david-schoen-jeffrey-epstein-client-list-trump-administration/ |archive-date=July 17, 2025 |access-date=July 26, 2025 |work=The Hill |language=en-US |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Social media post | name = Donald Trump | prefix = @ | username = realDonaldTrump | text = Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker. [...] Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore! | date = July 16, 2025 | sitelogo = Truth Social logo 2022.svg | ref = <ref name="deadline"/> }}
Beginning in mid-July, Trump characterized the Epstein files as falsified documents created by political opponents including the Biden administration, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Rachel |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Trump admin says Democrats created Epstein files, denies 'client list' exists - National |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/11287693/donald-trump-epstein-files-client-list-pam-bondi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715095507/https://globalnews.ca/news/11287693/donald-trump-epstein-files-client-list-pam-bondi/ |archive-date=July 15, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="deadline">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=July 16, 2025 |title=Donald Trump Slams Backers Who Continue To Talk About "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax": "I Don't Want Their Support Anymore!" |url=https://deadline.com/2025/07/trump-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-1236459681/ |access-date=July 17, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223001636/https://deadline.com/2025/07/trump-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-1236459681/ |archive-date=December 23, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 16, the Justice Department fired Maurene Comey, the federal prosecutor who had prosecuted Epstein; she is the daughter of James Comey, whom Trump had fired as FBI Director in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maurene Comey, daughter of James Comey and prosecutor of Jeffrey Epstein, is fired |last=Orden |first=Erica |date=July 16, 2025 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/16/maurene-comey-fired-doj-00458921 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=Politico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926045321/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/16/maurene-comey-fired-doj-00458921 |archive-date=September 26, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 17, the day ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that Trump had written a letter included in a book celebrating Epstein's 50th birthday 22 years earlier, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had instructed Bondi to seek court approval to release "any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony", calling the ongoing attention a "SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats".<ref>{{cite news |last=Bose |first=Nandita |last2=Stempel |first2=Jonathan |date=July 19, 2025 |title=Trump orders release of grand jury transcripts from Epstein case |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-orders-release-grand-jury-transcripts-epstein-case-2025-07-18/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Bondi replied that she was "ready to move the court tomorrow".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Brett |date=July 17, 2025 |title=Trump directs Bondi to release relevant grand jury transcripts in Epstein case |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5407723-trump-directs-bondi-to-release-relevant-grand-jury-transcripts-in-epstein-case/ |access-date=July 23, 2025 |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228175720/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5407723-trump-directs-bondi-to-release-relevant-grand-jury-transcripts-in-epstein-case/ |archive-date=December 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Legal observers noted the transcripts were not expected to contain significant new information.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Durkee |first=Alison |date=July 18, 2025 |title=Trump And Bondi Promised Epstein Grand Jury Docs—But It Doesn't Mean Anything Will Be Released Today Or Ever |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/07/18/trump-and-bondi-promised-epstein-grand-jury-docs-but-it-doesnt-mean-anything-will-be-released-today-or-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718160735/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/07/18/trump-and-bondi-promised-epstein-grand-jury-docs-but-it-doesnt-mean-anything-will-be-released-today-or-ever/ |archive-date=July 18, 2025 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=Forbes}}</ref> The following day, Trump sued the ''Journal''—including two reporters, owner Rupert Murdoch, and parent companies Dow Jones and News Corp—for defamation and libel.<ref name="Guardian0718" /> On July 21, the White House removed a ''Journal'' reporter from the press pool for Trump's Scotland trip.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Reilly |first1=Brian |last2=Stelter |first2=Liam |date=July 21, 2025 |title=Trump White House removes Wall Street Journal from Scotland trip press pool over Epstein report |work=CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/media/trump-bans-wsj-wall-street-journal-scotland-press-pool-epstein |access-date=August 2, 2025 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251225045118/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/media/trump-bans-wsj-wall-street-journal-scotland-press-pool-epstein |archive-date=December 25, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Justice Department's requests to unseal grand jury materials were denied by federal judges. On July 23, Judge Robin Rosenberg ruled she could not grant a request for Florida grand jury documents based solely on "extensive public interest" outside of a legal proceeding, ordering instead that a new case be opened.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Hannah |last2=Scannell |first2=Kara |date=July 23, 2025 |title=Judge declines to release grand jury documents from the criminal probe into Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/23/politics/judge-declines-grand-jury-documents-jeffrey-epstein |access-date=July 23, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914134733/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/23/politics/judge-declines-grand-jury-documents-jeffrey-epstein |archive-date=September 14, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ghislaine Maxwell's attorneys opposed disclosure, calling it "a broad intrusion into grand jury secrecy" given Maxwell's remaining "legal options" and "due process rights".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiser |first=Benjamin |date=August 5, 2025 |title=Maxwell Opposes Request to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Papers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/nyregion/epstein-maxwell-grand-jury-unsealing.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=September 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925041904/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/nyregion/epstein-maxwell-grand-jury-unsealing.html }}</ref> On August 8, the DOJ expanded its request to include grand jury exhibits in both the Maxwell and Epstein cases.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gannon |first=Casey |date=August 8, 2025 |title=Justice Department says it wants to release Epstein grand jury exhibits in addition to transcripts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/politics/epstein-maxwell-grand-jury-evidence |access-date=August 8, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124211829/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/politics/epstein-maxwell-grand-jury-evidence |archive-date=November 24, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Judge Paul Engelmayer denied the Maxwell request on August 11, ruling that the administration's "entire premise—that the Maxwell grand jury materials would bring to light meaningful new information about Epstein's and Maxwell's crimes, or the Government's investigation into them—is demonstrably false"; he characterized the government's public explanations as "disingenuous".<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Gannon |first=Casey |date=August 11, 2025 |title=Federal judge rejects Trump DOJ's bid to unseal grand jury materials in Ghislaine Maxwell case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/maxwell-epstein-grand-jury-files-rejected |access-date=August 11, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251226100025/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/maxwell-epstein-grand-jury-files-rejected |archive-date=December 26, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=August 11, 2025 |title=A judge's brutal rebuke of Trump's Epstein gambit |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/epstein-files-judge-ruling-grand-jury-materials |access-date=August 13, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251119230635/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/epstein-files-judge-ruling-grand-jury-materials |archive-date=November 19, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Judge Richard Berman later denied a similar request for Epstein case materials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sisak |first=Michael R. |date=December 9, 2025 |title=Justice Department can unseal Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case records, judge says |url=https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-sex-trafficking-case-records-8e3985dd977cb94ef41b9581115ef61b |access-date=February 15, 2026 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206102121/https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-sex-trafficking-case-records-8e3985dd977cb94ef41b9581115ef61b |url-status=live }}</ref>
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell on July 24 and 25 at the U.S. attorney's office in Tallahassee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Rashard |date=July 24, 2025 |title=Live updates: Trump administration news and the latest on the Epstein files |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-epstein-files-news-07-24-25 |access-date=July 24, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251104211200/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-epstein-files-news-07-24-25 |archive-date=November 4, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="rodriguez-cnn">{{Cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Ivan |last2=Cole |first2=Devan |date=July 25, 2025 |title=Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-epstein-files-news-07-25-25#cmdixf5vr00003b6oro9n4i14 |access-date=July 25, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230164501/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-epstein-files-news-07-25-25#cmdixf5vr00003b6oro9n4i14 |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Justice Department released the interview transcript and audio recording on August 22.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Justice Department releases transcripts from its conversations with Ghislaine Maxwell |last=Johnson |first=Carrie |date=August 22, 2025 |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/08/22/nx-s1-5494553/epstein-maxwell-doj-interview-transcripts |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=NPR |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2025 |title=Department of Justice {{!}} Maxwell Interview |url=https://www.justice.gov/maxwell-interview |access-date=August 22, 2025 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007082505/https://www.justice.gov/maxwell-interview |archive-date=October 7, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Maxwell, having been sentenced to 20 years, was incarcerated at FCI Tallahassee at the time of the interviews.<ref name="bop/tal">{{cite web |title=FCI Tallahassee |url=https://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/tal/ |access-date=August 2, 2025 |website=Federal Bureau of Prisons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121234155/https://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/tal/ |archive-date=January 21, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=March 2026}} She was given limited immunity in the interviews, meaning that her answers to her interviewers' questions cannot be used against her.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ghislaine Maxwell received limited immunity during meetings with deputy attorney general: Sources |last=Katersky |first=Aaron |date=July 25, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/deputy-ag-blanche-set-meet-2nd-day-ghislaine/story?id=124064062 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=ABC News |last2=Faulders |first2=Katherine |last3=Baur |first3=Brandon |last4=Haworth |first4=Jon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113030258/https://abcnews.go.com/US/deputy-ag-blanche-set-meet-2nd-day-ghislaine/story?id=124064062 |archive-date=January 13, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Blanche is Trump's personal lawyer and his political appointee. The previous year, Blanche had referred to Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, as a "friend".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=July 25, 2025 |title=Analysis: Trump just made a problematic Ghislaine Maxwell situation look even worse {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-trump-epstein-doj |access-date=July 25, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210162221/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-trump-epstein-doj |archive-date=December 10, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Maxwell told Blanche: "I certainly never witnessed the President in any of {{emdash}} I don't recall ever seeing him in his [Epstein's] house, for instance. I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Faulders |first1=Katherine |last2=Hill |first2=James |last3=Katersky |first3=Aaron |date=August 5, 2025 |title=Ghislaine Maxwell told DOJ Trump never did anything concerning around her: Sources |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-administration-considers-releasing-transcripts-doj-interview-ghislaine/story?id=124383957 |access-date=August 5, 2025 |work=ABC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251119154402/https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-administration-considers-releasing-transcripts-doj-interview-ghislaine/story?id=124383957 |archive-date=November 19, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> CNN noted that Maxwell lied about her own crimes and the crimes of Epstein in the interview, and that she appeared to be attempting to flatter Trump with statements such as "I admire his extraordinary achievement in becoming the president now" and "I like him, and I've always liked him."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=August 22, 2025 |title=Takeaways from the Ghislaine Maxwell-Justice Department interview |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/22/politics/takeaways-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-interview |access-date=August 23, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823003305/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/22/politics/takeaways-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-interview |archive-date=August 23, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Regarding Maxwell's credibility during the two-day interview, Blanche told CNN on September 17 it would be "impossible" for him to assess it, since "to determine whether a witness is credible takes weeks and weeks and weeks". He added: "It's really up to the American people to determine if they believe that her answers were credible".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Blanche breaks silence on meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell: 'Impossible' to say if she was credible |last=Mallin |first=Alexander |date=September 16, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/impossible-credible-blanche-breaks-silence-meeting-ghislaine-maxwell/story?id=125647237 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=ABC News |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> George Conway remarked that "Todd Blanche's questioning of Ghislaine Maxwell was either (a) completely incompetent; or (b) intentionally crafted not to elicit facts incriminating Trump." Blanche responded: "When I interviewed Maxwell, law enforcement didn't have the materials Epstein's estate hid for years and only just provided to Congress."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Blanche, George Conway spar over Epstein emails: 'Stop talking' |last=Mancini |first=Ryan |date=November 13, 2025 |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5604858-george-conway-blanche-feud/ |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208095956/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5604858-george-conway-blanche-feud/ |archive-date=December 8, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On July 25, when a CNN reporter asked Trump whether he planned to pardon Maxwell, he answered noncommittally: "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I haven't thought about."<ref name="rodriguez-cnn" /> On August 1, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed that, following the interview, Maxwell was transferred<ref name="FPA/BOP-transfers">{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=Bruce |date=December 31, 2014 |title=Bureau of Prisons Facility Transfers |url=https://federalprisonauthority.com/bureau-of-prisons-transfers/ |access-date=August 2, 2025 |website=Federal Prison Authority.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203202927/https://federalprisonauthority.com/bureau-of-prisons-transfers/ |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="prisonpro/transfers">{{cite web |last1=Santos |first1=Michael |date=September 24, 2020 |title=What should I know about Prison Transfers? |url=https://prisonprofessors.com/what-should-i-know-about-prison-transfers/ |access-date=August 2, 2025 |website=Prison Professors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818081416/https://prisonprofessors.com/what-should-i-know-about-prison-transfers/ |archive-date=August 18, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> to Federal Prison Camp, Bryan, in Bryan, Texas,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Kaitlan |last2=Collins |first2=Hannah |date=August 1, 2025 |title=Ghislaine Maxwell moved to federal prison in Texas |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-federal-prison-texas |work=CNN Politics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203141709/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-federal-prison-texas |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |access-date=August 4, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> a minimum security facility with dormitory-style housing generally considered less unpleasant than other federal prisons.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mackey |first1=Robert |last2=Campbell |first2=Lucy |last3=Dunbar |first3=Marina |last4=Ahmed |first4=Aneesa |last5=Campbell |last6=Ahmed |first6=Aneesa |date=August 1, 2025 |title=Trump orders firing of labor statistics chief after weaker than expected jobs report – US politics live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/aug/01/donald-trump-trade-tariffs-latest-us-politics-live-news-updates |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Cameron |last2=Stringer |first2=Connor |date=August 1, 2025 |title=Ghislaine Maxwell quietly moved to minimum security prison |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/08/01/ghislaine-maxwell-moved-minimum-security-prison-texas/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130005237/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/08/01/ghislaine-maxwell-moved-minimum-security-prison-texas/ |archive-date=January 30, 2026 |access-date=August 4, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November, she was reportedly receiving special privileges and planning to apply for commutation of her sentence; the whistleblower was fired from the prison.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lee |first1=MJ |last2=Grayer |first2=Annie |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Prison employees have been terminated after Ghislaine Maxwell's email messages were shared, her lawyer says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/14/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-lawyer-prison-fired |access-date=November 14, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251229175151/https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/14/politics/ghislaine-maxwell-lawyer-prison-fired |archive-date=December 29, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Rusty |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Fired Bryan federal prison nurse says Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving special treatment — and she has the emails |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2025/11/18/fired-bryan-federal-prison-nurse-says-ghislaine-maxwell-is-receiving-special-treatment-she-has-emails/ |access-date=November 18, 2025 |website=KBTX-TV |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121142729/https://www.kbtx.com/2025/11/18/fired-bryan-federal-prison-nurse-says-ghislaine-maxwell-is-receiving-special-treatment-she-has-emails/ |archive-date=January 21, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Annie Farmer, who has made accusations against Epstein and Maxwell, told CNN's Kaitlan Collins: "Even learning that the DOJ would be meeting with her [Maxwell] was extremely disturbing. ... with this prison transfer, I think it again feels like she is getting preferential treatment ... and it's really worrying to us about what might be coming next."<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/us/video/epstein-maxwell-victim-trump-collins-ldn-digvid |title=Hear Epstein accuser's message to Trump on potential Maxwell pardon |date=August 8, 2025 |last=Collins |first=Kaitlan |language=en |type=News |publisher=CNN |access-date=August 8, 2025 |archive-date=January 12, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112213807/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/us/video/epstein-maxwell-victim-trump-collins-ldn-digvid |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 23, Giuffre's family responded to the transcript of the Maxwell–Blanche interview, telling CBS that Maxwell's statements were "in direct contradiction" with her "conviction for child sex trafficking" and that Blanche had "never challenged [her] about her court-proven lies". The family said that the Justice Department had thereby communicated "that child sex trafficking is acceptable and will be rewarded".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Joe |last2=Rosen |first2=Jacob |last3=Navarro |first3=Aaron |last4=Rinaldi |first4=Olivia |last5=Kaufman |first5=Katrina |date=August 23, 2025 |title=Ghislaine Maxwell's interview on Epstein case released by DOJ. See highlights and full transcript |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-interview-jeffrey-epstein-doj-transcript/ |access-date=August 29, 2025 |work=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204072342/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-interview-jeffrey-epstein-doj-transcript/ |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On September 4, 2025, political activist James O'Keefe, founder of the far-right group Project Veritas, posted a secret recording with DOJ acting Deputy Chief of Special Operations Joseph Schnitt. In the recording, Schnitt acknowledges the existence of the Epstein files, saying there are "thousands and thousands of pages of files" and that "they'll redact every Republican or conservative person in those files, leave all the liberal, Democratic people in those files". Schnitt stated that Maxwell's transfer to a minimum-security prison was "against [Federal Bureau of Prisons] policy because she's a convicted sex offender" and that "they're offering her something to keep her mouth shut". He also described Bondi as "a yes person" and that she "wants whatever Trump wants".<ref name="Lalljee 09042025">{{Cite news |last=Lalljee |first=Jason |date=September 4, 2025 |title=DOJ deputy chief: Government will "redact every Republican" from Epstein client list |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/09/04/epstein-files-ghislaine-maxwell-doj-chief |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231162530/https://www.axios.com/2025/09/04/epstein-files-ghislaine-maxwell-doj-chief |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="McCoy 09042025">{{Cite magazine |last=McCoy |first=Robert |date=September 4, 2025 |title=DOJ Responds to Secret Tape of Official Detailing Epstein Files Plan |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/200027/justice-department-official-project-veritas-o-keefe-epstein-files-video |access-date=September 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205103839/https://newrepublic.com/post/200027/justice-department-official-project-veritas-o-keefe-epstein-files-video |archive-date=February 5, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to the recording, Schnitt stated that he had no idea he was being recorded, and said he met the undercover O'Keefe reporter on Hinge. He said his comments were based on what he "learned in the media" and not from the DOJ.<ref name="Lalljee 09042025"/> In response, the DOJ asserted Schnitt's statements were false, saying that "Joseph Schnitt had no role in the Department's internal review of Epstein materials" and posted an iPhone screenshot of an email Schnitt sent to his superiors describing the recordings as happening over two dates in August 2025.<ref name="McCoy 09042025"/> As late as November 14, 2025, Trump continued to assert that the files were falsified documents created by political opponents, including the Biden administration, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, referring to the matter as a "Democrat hoax".<ref>{{Cite web |title=realDonaldTrump |url=https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115548785919046772 |access-date=November 15, 2025 |website=Truth Social |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115020747/https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115548785919046772 |archive-date=November 15, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Congressional action == {{Main|Epstein Files Transparency Act}}
[[File:U.S. House Approves a Bill Demanding the Justice Department to Release the Epstein Files - November 18, 2025.png|thumb|343x343px|Congressional voting results on the approval of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, demanding the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files. 427 for, 1 against, 5 not voting.]]
On November 18, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act in a 427–1 vote. Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the only dissenting vote.<ref name="housevotesatleastinitially">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/epstein-files-vote-2025/ |title=Epstein files bill wins approval in House and Senate, heads to Trump's desk |first=Caitlin |last=Yilek |work=CBS News |date=November 18, 2025 |access-date=November 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204174222/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/epstein-files-vote-2025/ |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later the same day, the Senate unanimously voted to pass the same version of the bill, sending it to Trump's desk the next morning.<ref name="housevotesatleastinitially" /><ref name="Bolton 2025">{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Alexander |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Senate unanimously approves bill to force release of Epstein files |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5611756-senate-epstein-files-bill/%7Ctitle=Senate/ |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221214228/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5611756-senate-epstein-files-bill/%7Ctitle=Senate/ |archive-date=December 21, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="presidentialdeskarrival">{{cite news |last=Raju |first=Manu |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Thune: House will formally transmit Epstein bill to Senate on Wednesday, then it'll go to Trump's desk |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-presidency-epstein-files-house-vote-11-18-25?post-id=cmi57uuy000003b6noca1j4li |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251119220332/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-presidency-epstein-files-house-vote-11-18-25?post-id=cmi57uuy000003b6noca1j4li |archive-date=November 19, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Victim advocacy and early pressure === Victims of Epstein and their advocates pressed Congress to compel disclosure of federal records. Virginia Giuffre's brothers, Sky Roberts and Danny Wilson, and Giuffre's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, told reporters in July 2025 that they wanted relevant documents to be released. Amanda Roberts added that Giuffre also said she wanted documents to be released, and that Virginia would have been in favor of "transparency and justice". Virginia Giuffre died by suicide earlier in the year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Epstein abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre wanted files released before her death, family says |last=Jackson |first=Hallie |date=July 31, 2025 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/epstein-abuse-survivor-virginia-giuffre-wanted-files-released-death-fa-rcna222375 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=NBC News |last2=Cohen |first2=Rebecca |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
On September 3, 2025, survivors spoke publicly outside the U.S. Capitol, demanding that Attorney General Bondi release all the files.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Epstein Victims Call for Release of More Documents and Accountability |last=Kim |first=Minho |date=September 3, 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/trump-epstein-files-victims-survivors.html |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127014522/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/trump-epstein-files-victims-survivors.html }}</ref> Frustrated with decades of lack of accountability, some survivors announced plans to compile their own internal list of Epstein's associates if officials continued to withhold information.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2025 |title=Epstein victim who helped indict him speaks out as others plan to make 'client list' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/epstein-files-victim-client-list-b2819322.html |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en |last=Rissman |first=Kelly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206055531/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/epstein-files-victim-client-list-b2819322.html |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later, accuser Annie Farmer told CNN that creating and releasing their own list was "not the most effective way of us moving forward as a group".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=M. J. |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Why some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims are wary of compiling their own 'client list' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/politics/jeffrey-epstein-victims-client-list |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101090347/https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/politics/jeffrey-epstein-victims-client-list |archive-date=January 1, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In July, Democratic representatives Jamie Raskin and 15 colleagues sent a letter to Bondi accusing the Justice Department of withholding documents to protect Trump.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Chris |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Top House Democrats demand release of Epstein files that mention Trump |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/08/house-democrats-epstein-files-trump |access-date=July 15, 2025 |work=The Guardian |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Representatives Ro Khanna and Marc Veasey introduced separate measures to force the House to vote on requiring release of all Epstein-related records held by the Justice Department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Solender |first1=Andrew |date=July 15, 2025 |title=House Democrats try to force release of Epstein files |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/trump-epstein-files-house-democrats-khanna-veasey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715010542/https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/trump-epstein-files-house-democrats-khanna-veasey |archive-date=July 15, 2025 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |work=Axios}}</ref> Khanna's measure failed 211–210 along party lines.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ferguson |first=Malcolm |date=July 15, 2025 |title=211 House Republicans Vote to Block Release of Epstein Files |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/197987/house-republicans-vote-block-epstein-files |access-date=July 15, 2025 |magazine=The New Republic |issn=0028-6583 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
=== Oversight hearings and subpoenas === [[File:Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - September 17, 2025.webm|thumb|thumbtime=31:20|FBI Director Kash Patel testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, where he is questioned on the Epstein files, September 17, 2025]]
In July 2025, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, and issued subpoenas for documents to Bill Clinton, former Justice Department officials, and the Justice Department itself in August.<ref>{{Cite news |title=House Oversight Committee subpoenas Ghislaine Maxwell for deposition |last=Grayer |first=Annie |date=July 23, 2025 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/23/politics/house-oversight-ghislaine-maxwell-subpoena |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=CNN |last2=Collins |first2=Kaitlan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113213829/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/23/politics/house-oversight-ghislaine-maxwell-subpoena |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=House Oversight chair issues subpoenas for Epstein files, depositions with Clintons |last=Peller |first=Lauren |date=August 5, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-oversight-committee-issues-subpoenas-epstein-files/story?id=124378317 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205174525/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-oversight-committee-issues-subpoenas-epstein-files/story?id=124378317 |archive-date=February 5, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> The committee demanded that the Justice Department provide the Epstein files by August 19. On August 18, officials informed the committee they would begin providing records on August 22.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Ted |date=August 18, 2025 |title=House Oversight Chair says Justice Department to start providing Epstein-related records on Friday |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/18/politics/barr-house-oversight-epstein |access-date=August 18, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818161952/https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/18/politics/barr-house-oversight-epstein |archive-date=August 18, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Beginning in September, the committee released batches of documents it had received from the Justice Department and, in response to a subpoena, from the Epstein estate. These releases included portions of Epstein's contact records, correspondence, and photographs. FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 16 and the House Judiciary Committee the following day.<ref>{{Cite news |title=House panel questions FBI's Patel over Epstein investigation files |last=Goudsward |first=Andrew |date=September 17, 2025 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/house-panel-questions-fbis-patel-over-epstein-investigation-files-2025-09-17/ |work=Reuters |url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2025 |title=Ranking Member Raskin Grills FBI Dir. Kash Patel in Opening Statement at Judiciary Hearing: "You've Left All of Us Less Safe" {{!}} U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democrats |url=http://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-raskin-grills-fbi-dir-kash-patel-in-opening-statement-at-judiciary-hearing-you-ve-left-all-of-us-less-safe |access-date=September 26, 2025 |website=democrats-judiciary.house.gov |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920031711/https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-raskin-grills-fbi-dir-kash-patel-in-opening-statement-at-judiciary-hearing-you-ve-left-all-of-us-less-safe |archive-date=September 20, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 7 and the House Judiciary Committee on October 9.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Hannah |last2=Lybrand |first2=Holmes |last3=Herb |first3=Jeremy |last4=Cole |first4=Devan |last5=Gannon |first5=Casey |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Live Updates: Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/pam-bondi-hearing-senate-10-07-25 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007124702/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/pam-bondi-hearing-senate-10-07-25 |archive-date=October 7, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee Hill |first=Meredith |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Bondi, Patel to testify before Congress amid Epstein fallout |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/28/bondi-patel-to-testify-before-congress-amid-epstein-fallout-00534353 |access-date=August 29, 2025 |work=Politico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828190716/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/28/bondi-patel-to-testify-before-congress-amid-epstein-fallout-00534353 |archive-date=August 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Discharge petition and party defections === In September 2025, Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ro Khanna of California pursued a discharge petition to force the House to vote on legislation requiring the Justice Department to release the files. Trump and Republican leaders launched a pressure campaign against the effort, with one anonymous official calling signing the petition a "very hostile act to the administration".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gold |first=Michael |date=September 3, 2025 |title=G.O.P. Thwarts Epstein Disclosure Bill as Accusers Plead for Files |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/epstein-bill-republicans-trump.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 4, 2025 |work=The New York Times |quote=None of it appeared to be enough to outweigh the pressure from Mr. Trump and Republican leaders, who have moved quickly to squelch legislation that would require the Justice Department to quickly and completely release what it uncovered about Mr. Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. (...) The White House, for its part, has made its opposition to Mr. Massie's bill clear. |url-status=live |archive-date=January 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260109222320/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/politics/epstein-bill-republicans-trump.html }}</ref> Despite administration opposition, several Republicans broke with party leadership to sign the petition. Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, and Marjorie Taylor Greene joined Massie within days.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Ellis |date=September 5, 2025 |title=Here's what's next in the Epstein files saga |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/politics/epstein-files-saga-whats-next |access-date=September 5, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905083520/https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/politics/epstein-files-saga-whats-next |archive-date=September 5, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Marjorie Taylor |date=September 27, 2025 |title=I am not suicidal |url=https://x.com/mtgreenee/status/1971956840360550881 |access-date=September 29, 2025 |website=X |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
The remaining 214 signatures came from Democrats, with the final signatures provided by Representatives James Walkinshaw and Adelita Grijalva after they won special elections to Congress in late September.<ref>{{Cite news |last=English |first=Molly |date=September 23, 2025 |title=Adelita Grijalva will win US House special election in Arizona, CNN projects, delivering decisive vote for Epstein files push |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/23/politics/arizona-special-election-epstein-files |access-date=September 23, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250923110912/https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/23/politics/arizona-special-election-epstein-files |archive-date=September 23, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Alexander |date=September 15, 2025 |title=GOP momentum grows to force Trump DOJ to release Epstein files |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5501751-congress-republicans-release-epstein-files/ |access-date=September 15, 2025 |work=The Hill |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> As the petition neared completion, Trump summoned Representative Lauren Boebert to the White House.{{Why|date=February 2026}} Press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting had taken place.<ref name="Karni-Barrett-Gold">{{Cite news |last1=Karni |first1=Annie |last2=Barrett |first2=Devlin |last3=Gold |first3=Michael |date=November 12, 2025 |title=Trump Summons Lauren Boebert as He Pushes GOP to Block Epstein Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/politics/trump-epstein-vote-boebert.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=November 13, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en |quote=Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, confirmed that the meeting had taken place... |archive-date=November 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116220259/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/politics/trump-epstein-vote-boebert.html }}</ref>
On October 8, Representative Eric Swalwell stated that "a lot of House Republicans" had privately told him they did not intend to keep defending Trump on the issue, with one saying "this Epstein bomb is about to drop."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Swalwell: Republicans planning 'jail break' revolt over Epstein files |last=Suter |first=Tara |date=October 8, 2025 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5545649-swalwell-gop-epstein-vote/ |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011003831/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5545649-swalwell-gop-epstein-vote/ |archive-date=October 11, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Representative Khanna predicted that 40–50 Republicans might vote for release, and Massie similarly anticipated that Republican support could "snowball".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wagner |first=Meg |date=November 13, 2025 |title=Here's where some Republicans stand on releasing the Epstein files |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/government-shutdown-end-trump-11-13-25 |access-date=November 13, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113153958/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/government-shutdown-end-trump-11-13-25 |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon receiving the final signature on November 12, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the full House would vote the following week on releasing the Epstein files.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferris |first=Sarah |date=November 12, 2025 |title=Johnson says House will vote next week on whether to release Epstein files |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/politics/epstein-files-house-vote |access-date=November 12, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113002103/https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/politics/epstein-files-house-vote |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Trump's advisors privately informed him that he had lost the issue and that release of the files appeared inevitable.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cancryn |first=Adam |date=November 18, 2025 |title=The prospect of an embarrassing defeat convinced Trump to reverse course on Epstein files |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/politics/trump-epstein-files-reluctant-reversal |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118025056/https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/politics/trump-epstein-files-reluctant-reversal |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 16, Trump publicly reversed his stance, writing on Truth Social that "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files."<ref>{{cite news |last=Suter |first=Tara |date=November 16, 2025 |title=Trump, in reversal, calls on House GOP to vote to release Epstein files |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/5608565-trump-truth-social-epstein-files/ |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251122093900/https://thehill.com/homenews/5608565-trump-truth-social-epstein-files/ |archive-date=November 22, 2025 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Epstein's brother, Mark Epstein, stated on November 17 that "a pretty good source" had told him there was "a facility in Winchester, Virginia, where they're scrubbing the files to take Republican names out", which he said explained the sudden shift in tone about the release.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Djordjevic |first=Patrick |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Jeffrey Epstein said he had 'dirt' on Trump, brother says |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/cuomo-show/mark-epstein-jeffrey-epstein-dirt-trump/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=NewsNation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Brother: GOP 'Sanitizing' Names From Files... That's Why Trump Now Supports Release |url=https://www.tmz.com/2025/11/18/jeffrey-epstein-brother-mark-republicans-remove-names-from-files/ |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=TMZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118161624/https://www.tmz.com/2025/11/18/jeffrey-epstein-brother-mark-republicans-remove-names-from-files/ |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=February 2026}}
=== Passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act === On November 18, 2025, the House voted 217 to 210 to approve a procedural rule that killed the discharge petition but guaranteed a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.<ref name="housevotesatleastinitially"/> Later that day, the House passed the act in a 427 to 1 vote. Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the only dissenting vote.<ref name=housevotesatleastinitially /><ref name="NBC-2025-11-18"/> The Senate unanimously approved the bill the same day.<ref name="Bolton 2025"/><ref name="Carney & Fuchs"/> The bill was formally transmitted to the president's desk on the morning of November 19.<ref name="presidentialdeskarrival" /> Trump signed the act later that day without reporters present.<ref name="Lebowitz" /><ref name="Rimmer 2025" /> The act required the Justice Department to release Epstein-related files by December 19, 2025.
In May 2026, a group called the Institute for Primary Facts opened an exhibit called The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room in a downtown Manhattan art gallery with thousands of volumes of the files. For just a few weeks, the New York City space is open to public viewing by RSVP but only survivors, press, law enforcement and Congress can view individual volumes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Step inside the Trump-Epstein Memorial Reading Room exhibit |url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2026/05/08/trump-epstein-memorial-reading-room-exhibit-photos/89995404007/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=David |first=Rohit |date=2026-05-08 |title=Trump-Epstein Files Turned Into Giant Physical Library In NYC – 3.5 Million Pages On Show |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/epstein-files-library-nyc-1795747 |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=International Business Times UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-08 |title=A Jeffrey Epstein pop-up museum is now open in New York City. Here’s what to know |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/jeffrey-epstein-museum-document-trump-b2973323.html |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2026 congressional review of unredacted files === In February 2026, members of Congress were allowed to review unredacted case files related to Jeffrey Epstein at secure federal facilities operated by the Department of Justice. The access followed the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and ongoing congressional oversight of the law's implementation. Lawmakers were allowed to examine the documents on site under controlled conditions but were not permitted to remove, copy, or reproduce the materials. The review was part of continued congressional efforts to monitor the disclosure and handling of Epstein-related records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scribner |first=Herb |date=February 9, 2026 |title=Here's why Congress can view the unredacted Epstein files and how they'll read them |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/epstein-files-unredacted-congress-doj-review |access-date=February 12, 2026 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211211631/https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/epstein-files-unredacted-congress-doj-review |archive-date=February 11, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasmus |first=Allie |date=February 8, 2026 |title=Congress to review unredacted Epstein files as questions about investigations continue |url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/congress-review-unredacted-epstein-files-questions-about-investigations-continue |access-date=February 12, 2026 |website=KTVU FOX 2 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209235110/https://www.ktvu.com/news/congress-review-unredacted-epstein-files-questions-about-investigations-continue |archive-date=February 9, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Stephen |date=February 6, 2026 |title=Justice Department will allow lawmakers to see unredacted versions of released Epstein files |url=https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-congress-unredacted-justice-department-5219f89459e80a141b84e1aa2551b0d2 |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=AP News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211193847/https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-congress-unredacted-justice-department-5219f89459e80a141b84e1aa2551b0d2 |archive-date=February 11, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several lawmakers criticized the handling of the files, with Representative Jamie Raskin accusing the Department of Justice of obscuring information through unexplained redactions after reviewing the materials.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stein |first=Chris |date=February 9, 2026 |title=Jamie Raskin accuses DoJ of cover-up after viewing unredacted Epstein files |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/09/jamie-raskin-doj-cover-up-epstein-files |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
== Chronology of releases and disclosures == {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Major public releases and leaks of Jeffrey Epstein–related documents (2024–2026) ! Date ! Source / Tranche ! Type ! Description ! Volume ! Notes |- | January 2024 | Court-ordered unsealing in civil litigation) | Court release | Unsealing of depositions, filings, and related materials from prior civil defamation litigation involving Ghislaine Maxwell. | Varied by order; no single aggregate count available | Materials released pursuant to federal court orders. |- |August 27, 2025 | Distributed Denial of Secrets – Ehud Barak email cache (via Handala) |Independent leak archive (hacked material) |Publication of over 100,000 emails from the inbox of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, spanning 2007–2016, obtained by hacking group Handala and provided to DDoSecrets. The cache includes direct correspondence between Barak and Epstein, documenting their business relationship and social contacts including visits to Epstein's private island.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thalen |first=Mikael |date=August 27, 2025 |title=Impressive island: Ex-Israeli prime minister's hacked emails reveal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://san.com/cc/impressive-island-ex-israeli-prime-ministers-hacked-emails-reveal-relationship-with-jeffrey-epstein/ |work=Straight Arrow News |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Petti |first=Matthew |date=August 27, 2025 |title=Inside Jeffrey Epstein's Spy Industry Connections |url=https://reason.com/2025/08/27/inside-jeffrey-epsteins-spy-industry-connections/ |work=Reason |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> |100,000+ emails (2007–2016) |Handala has been described as a pro-Palestinian hacking group with alleged ties to Iranian intelligence. The Epstein–Barak correspondence forms a subset of the broader cache. Not part of DOJ Transparency Act releases. |- | September 2, 2025 | U.S. House Oversight Committee document release | Congressional release | Pages of documents obtained from the Department of Justice and related entities released by the committee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oversight Committee Releases Epstein Records Provided by the Department of Justice |publisher=U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform |date=September 2, 2025 |url=https://oversight.house.gov/release/oversight-committee-releases-epstein-records-provided-by-the-department-of-justice/}}</ref> | 33,295 pages | Separate from DOJ's later staged "Data Sets" releases. Democrats on the committee noted approximately 3% were new material. |- | September 11, 2025 | Bloomberg News email cache | Investigative journalism (independent acquisition) | Publication and reporting based on emails from a Yahoo account associated with Epstein.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bloomberg News |date=September 11, 2025 |title=Key Takeaways from Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's Emails |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-09-11/key-takeaways-from-jeffrey-epstein-and-ghislaine-maxwell-s-emails |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> | About 18,700 emails | Not part of DOJ Transparency Act releases. |- | November 14, 2025 | Distributed Denial of Secrets – "Epstein Files" consolidated archive | Independent leak archive | Consolidated public archive that bundled previously scattered official releases (FBI, Interpol, DOJ, Bureau of Prisons, congressional records, and court documents), together with leaked Barak–Epstein emails (previously posted in August 2025) and files released by the DOJ and then subsequently withdrawn. About 18,000 additional unredacted emails held in a researcher-restricted component pending victim identification review.<ref>{{cite web |title=Epstein Files |publisher=Distributed Denial of Secrets |date=November 14, 2025 |url=https://ddosecrets.org/article/epstein-files |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> | 439.88 GB | It is unclear how much of this release was new. |- | November 26, 2025 | Distributed Denial of Secrets – "Epstein Emails" | Independent leak | Public release of emails from a Yahoo account reported to be associated with Epstein.<ref>{{cite web |title=Epstein Emails |publisher=Distributed Denial of Secrets |url=https://ddosecrets.org/article/epstein-emails |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> | About 18,700 emails and 2,200 attachments | Sourced independently from Bloomberg's cache; DDoSecrets states their submitter was not Bloomberg's source, with slight data variations confirming two separate exfiltrations of the same Yahoo account at different times. |- | December 19, 2025 | DOJ "Data Sets 1–8" | Executive branch release (Transparency Act) | Initial release of documents pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, across eight data sets including investigative files, photographs, and court materials.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Epstein files include photos, documents with redactions |publisher=CBS News |date=December 21, 2025 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/epstein-files-released-2025/ |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> | Approximately 12,285 items (~125,575 pages) posted as of the statutory deadline, per a DOJ letter to federal court.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nearly all Epstein files still unreleased a month after Congress deadline |work=The Guardian |date=January 2026 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/09/epstein-files-unreleased-doj-deadline}}</ref> | Heavily redacted in places; over 500 pages entirely blacked out. Sixteen files were removed from the DOJ webpage within a day of initial posting. |- | January 30, 2026 | DOJ "Data Sets 9–12" | Executive branch release (Transparency Act; final major tranche) | Final major publication under the Transparency Act, including investigative files, financial records, images, and videos.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs |date=January 30, 2026 |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> | Over 3 million additional pages; 180,000 images; 2,000 videos. Combined with prior releases: ~3.5 million pages total. DOJ identified ~6 million total responsive pages.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |date=January 30, 2026 |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files}}</ref> | DOJ described this as full compliance with statutory requirements. Critics noted DOJ identified approximately 6 million total responsive pages, leaving roughly half unreleased or withheld. |- | March 5, 2026 | DOJ sixth release (previously removed files) | Executive branch release | Approximately 50,000 files previously removed from the DOJ website were re-released following additional review by the DOJ and FBI.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Epstein Files Transparency Act |encyclopedia=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epstein_Files_Transparency_Act |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref> | ~50,000 files | Released after the DOJ's January 30 declaration of full compliance with the Transparency Act. |}
Documents related to Epstein and his associates became public through a combination of court-ordered unsealings, congressional releases, Justice Department disclosures, journalistic investigations, and inadvertent leaks. Court documents from the Ghislaine Maxwell defamation case were unsealed in January 2024, though they contained little information not already publicly known.<ref name="Ewe-Burga-2024"/> In September 2025, ''Bloomberg News'' independently obtained 18,000 emails from Epstein's personal account.<ref name="Bloomberg-vetting" />
Following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice released files in stages: an initial batch on the act's December 19 deadline, which drew bipartisan criticism for extensive redactions and failure to meet the law's requirements,<ref name="december19deadline">{{cite news |last1=Sisak |first1=Michael R. |last2=Tucker |first2=Eric |last3=Durkin Richer |first3=Hannah |name-list-style=and |date=December 19, 2025 |title=Justice Department begins releasing long-awaited files tied to Epstein sex trafficking investigation |url=https://apnews.com/article/release-epstein-files-justice-department-trump-f919d9dc9c3957cb2bd2c9c1a14b533c |access-date=December 19, 2025 |work=Associated Press |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230051140/https://apnews.com/article/release-epstein-files-justice-department-trump-f919d9dc9c3957cb2bd2c9c1a14b533c |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Violation2">{{cite news |last1=Meyer |first1=Matt |title=Trump administration criticized by lawmakers over Epstein files release - live updates {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-epstein-news-12-20-25 |work=CNN |access-date=December 20, 2025 |language=en |date=December 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231094537/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-epstein-news-12-20-25 |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> followed by over 3 million pages on January 30, 2026.<ref name=justicedepartmentjan302026release />
Beginning in September 2025, the House Oversight Committee separately released tens of thousands of pages it obtained from the Justice Department and the Epstein estate. The Justice Department stated that its January 30 release brought it into full compliance with the act,<ref name=reportedlegalobligationcompliance/> but lawmakers, including Representative Ro Khanna, disputed this, noting that the department had identified over 6 million pages as potentially responsive, yet released only half that amount.<ref name="epsteinfiles6millions"/><ref name="Khanna 2026">{{cite web |url=https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-ro-khannas-statement-dojs-release-additional-epstein-files |title=Representative Ro Khanna's Statement on DOJ's Release of Additional Epstein Files, January 30, 2026 |first=Ro |last=Khanna |publisher=khanna.house.gov |date=January 30, 2026 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204230407/https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-ro-khannas-statement-dojs-release-additional-epstein-files |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== 2024 Maxwell case unsealing === [[File:Maxwell Epstein Clinton 1993 4.jpg|thumb|U.S. President Bill Clinton (right) meeting Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the White House on September 29, 1993|300x300px]] In December 2023, New York judge Loretta Preska ordered the unsealing of documents from the 2015 defamation case against Ghislaine Maxwell, with a January 1, 2024, deadline for appeals.<ref name="BBC News-US judge">{{cite news |date=December 20, 2023 |title=US judge orders names of more than 170 Jeffrey Epstein associates to be released |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67769039 |work=BBC News |archive-date=January 4, 2024 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104121939/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67769039 |url-status=live}}</ref> The court documents released in January 2024 contained little information not already publicly known.<ref name="Ewe-Burga-2024"/> Individuals mentioned included Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, singer Michael Jackson, and physicist Stephen Hawking; most were mentioned in passing and not accused of wrongdoing.<ref name="BBC-2024-who-named"/><ref name="shamin"/>
The court documents unsealed in January 2024 contained little information that had not already been public knowledge.<ref name="Ewe-Burga-2024">{{cite magazine |last1=Ewe |first1=Koh |last2=Burga |first2=Solcyré |date=January 4, 2024 |title=The Biggest Names from Jeffrey Epstein's Unsealed Court Documents |url=https://time.com/6552063/jeffrey-epsteins-unsealed-court-documents/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126181904/https://time.com/6552063/jeffrey-epsteins-unsealed-court-documents/ |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=July 21, 2025 |magazine=Time}}</ref> Most were mentioned in passing and not accused of any wrongdoing.<ref name="BBC-2024-who-named"/><ref name="shamin">{{cite news |last=Shamim |first=Sarah |title=Jeffrey Epstein list: Whose names are on the newly unsealed documents? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/4/jeffrey-epstein-list-whose-names-are-on-the-newly-unsealed-documents |access-date=July 20, 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |date=January 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201204146/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/4/jeffrey-epstein-list-whose-names-are-on-the-newly-unsealed-documents |archive-date=February 1, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Model scout Jean-Luc Brunel, accused of sexual abuse by one of Epstein's victims,<ref name="shamin" /> had died by suicide in 2022 in Paris, France, while under investigation for the rape and sex trafficking of minors.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 19, 2022 |title=Jean-Luc Brunel: Epstein associate found dead in Paris prison cell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60443518 |access-date=July 20, 2025 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225173937/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60443518 |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Bloomberg News release (September 2025) === In September 2025, Bloomberg News independently obtained approximately 18,700 emails from one of Epstein's personal Yahoo accounts, jeeproject@yahoo.com, spanning from 2002 through 2022.<ref name="Bloomberg-vetting">{{Cite news |last1=Kao |first1=Jeff |last2=Mattu |first2=Surya |last3=Mehrotra |first3=Dhruv |date=September 11, 2025 |title=How Bloomberg News Vetted the Epstein Emails |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-09-11/how-bloomberg-news-vetted-the-jeffrey-epstein-emails |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2025 |work=Bloomberg |archive-date=January 29, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129071303/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-09-11/how-bloomberg-news-vetted-the-jeffrey-epstein-emails }}</ref> The outlet used cryptographic verification, metadata analysis, and corroboration with external sources to authenticate the cache; four independent experts reviewed the methodology and found no meaningful evidence of fabrication.<ref name="Bloomberg-vetting" /> The account was most active from October 2005 through August 2008, with significant gaps after Epstein's incarceration.<ref name="Bloomberg-network">{{Cite news |last1=Abelson |first1=Max |last2=Mattu |first2=Surya |last3=Leopold |first3=Jason |last4=Benny-Morrison |first4=Ava |last5=Wilson |first5=Harry |last6=Kao |first6=Jeff |last7=Mehrotra |first7=Dhruv |date=September 25, 2025 |title=The Network |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-jeffrey-epstein-emails-the-network/ |access-date=September 26, 2025 |work=Bloomberg |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=January 7, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107082839/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-jeffrey-epstein-emails-the-network/ }}</ref>
The emails documented Epstein's relationships with academics at Harvard University and other institutions. Correspondence showed researchers, including psychologist Stephen Kosslyn and geneticist George Church, proposing Epstein-funded projects such as a "pleasure genome initiative" exploring neural correlates of pleasure and a genetics-and-brain laboratory to study "far-out ideas such as life extension".<ref name="Bloomberg-network" /> Developmental psychologist Howard Gardner told ''Bloomberg'' he had "never had the slightest knowledge or even intimation of the darker sides" and wished he "had asked more questions".<ref name="Bloomberg-network" />
The cache revealed aspects of Epstein's legal defense strategy during his 2006 indictment. Notes taken by a research assistant to Alan Dershowitz recorded Dershowitz characterizing accusers as "self-described prostitutes" who "don't feel harmed" during a February 2006 meeting with prosecutors.<ref name="Bloomberg-network" /> Dershowitz told Bloomberg the memos were "privileged lawyer client communications" and that he "was acting as any responsible lawyer should: making the case for my client".<ref name="Bloomberg-network" />
The emails contained draft public apology letters prepared for Epstein by crisis strategist and consultant Merrie Spaeth, a former Reagan administration media relations director, in February 2008. Spaeth coached Epstein on communication techniques, including how to answer questions "without being trapped by the parameters" and provided lists of "Good Words" and "Bad Words" for interviews.<ref name="Bloomberg-network" /> Though Epstein expressed interest in one draft referencing philosopher William James and describing introspection during an "hour of terror", he never issued a broad public apology.<ref name="Bloomberg-network" /> Spaeth told Bloomberg she "ultimately terminated the engagement because of my discomfort with it".<ref name="Bloomberg-network" />
=== House Oversight Committee releases (September–December 2025) === Beginning in September 2025, the House Oversight Committee released batches of documents it had received from the Justice Department and, in response to a subpoena, from the Epstein estate.<ref name="WaPo-first-batch">{{Cite news |title=House committee releases first batch of Epstein documents |last=Goba |first=Kadia |date=September 2, 2025 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/02/epstein-files-released-oversight-committee-comer/ |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Washington Post |last2=Sotomayor |first2=Marianna |last3=Goodwin |first3=Liz |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=September 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909044422/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/02/epstein-files-released-oversight-committee-comer/ }}</ref> On September 2, the committee released 33,295 pages of Epstein files, though most of the information was already publicly known or available.<ref name="WaPo-first-batch" /> The Epstein estate began sending files to the committee on September 8, including a bound album of birthday greetings Epstein received for his 50th birthday.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grayer |first=Annie |date=September 8, 2025 |title=House committee receives first batch of documents from Epstein estate |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/08/politics/epstein-estate-birthday-book-documents-house-oversight |access-date=September 8, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204064542/https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/08/politics/epstein-estate-birthday-book-documents-house-oversight |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 26, committee Democrats released six pages showing that Epstein had meetings with financier Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Steve Bannon.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Musk, Bannon and Thiel named in new Epstein estate documents |last=Fuchs |first=Hailey |date=September 26, 2025 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/26/musk-bannon-thiel-epstein-documents-00582627 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=Politico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929073551/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/26/musk-bannon-thiel-epstein-documents-00582627 |archive-date=September 29, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>thumb|Demonstrators calling for the Epstein files to be released, October 2025On October 17, the committee released 8,500 pages from the Epstein estate. These showed that Matthew Menchel, the chief criminal prosecutor at the Miami U.S. Attorney's office who was behind Epstein's 2007 plea deal, had apparently had personal meetings with Epstein in 2011, 2013, and 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Julie K |last2=Healy |first2=Claire |date=October 17, 2025 |title=Epstein had dinners with a top Florida prosecutor on his case, docs show |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article312545792.html |access-date=October 17, 2025 |work=Miami Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018194803/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article312545792.html |archive-date=October 18, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On November 12, committee Democrats released three Epstein emails pertaining to Trump, including a 2011 exchange with Maxwell in which Epstein referred to Trump as "the dog that hasn't barked" because Trump had "spent hours at my house" with a victim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2025 |title=3-emails_redacted.pdf |url=https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/3-emails_redacted.pdf |access-date=November 12, 2025 |website=oversightdemocrats.house.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251216221521/https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/3-emails_redacted.pdf |archive-date=December 16, 2025 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=House Democrats release new Epstein emails referencing Trump |last=Hill |first=James |date=November 12, 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-democrats-release-new-epstein-emails-referencing-trump/story?id=127435983 |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=ABC News |last2=Peller |first2=Lauren |last3=Faulders |first3=Katherine |last4=O'Brien |first4=Jay |last5=Parkinson |first5=John |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Hours later, committee Republicans released 20,000 additional pages from Epstein's estate; Trump was mentioned over a thousand times, though none of Epstein's emails were sent directly to Trump or his staff.<ref>{{Cite news |title=GOP lawmakers release thousands of files related to Jeffrey Epstein |last=Rego |first=Max |date=November 12, 2025 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5602294-epstein-documents-oversight-republicans-release/ |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251220010747/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5602294-epstein-documents-oversight-republicans-release/ |archive-date=December 20, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Julie K. |last2=Goodin |first2=Emily |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Epstein files reveal his obsession with Trump |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/article312906193.html |access-date=November 14, 2025 |work=Miami Herald |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On November 14, Zeteo published a searchable version of the 26,039 documents.<ref name="ZeteoEpsteinDocs">{{cite web |last1=Thakker |first1=Prem |last2=Lee |first2=Micah |title=Zeteo Scoured 26,000 Epstein Docs. Here's What We Found |url=https://zeteo.com/p/epstein-26000-emails-read-search-trump-summers-thiel |access-date=November 15, 2025 |publisher=Zeteo |publication-date=November 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251220191745/https://zeteo.com/p/epstein-26000-emails-read-search-trump-summers-thiel |archive-date=December 20, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December, the committee released images from Epstein's estate. On December 3, it released photos and videos from Epstein's private island, including one showing first names written on a telephone's speed dial.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lee |first1=MJ |last2=Grayer |first2=Annie |date=December 3, 2025 |title=Photos and video from Epstein's private island released by House Democrats |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/politics/epstein-island-photos-video-released |access-date=December 3, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202211646/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/politics/epstein-island-photos-video-released |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 12, it released photos of people including Trump, Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Kaitlan |last2=Grayer |first2=Annie |date=December 12, 2025 |title=New photos released from Epstein's estate showing Trump, Bannon, Bill Clinton and other high-profile people |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/politics/epstein-photos-trump-clinton-bannon |access-date=December 12, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201114912/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/politics/epstein-photos-trump-clinton-bannon |archive-date=February 1, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 18, it released additional photos including Noam Chomsky and Bill Gates.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grayer |first=Annie |date=December 18, 2025 |title=More photos from Epstein's estate released by House Democrats as deadline to release DOJ files looms |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/epstein-estate-photos-released |access-date=December 18, 2025 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101224816/https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/epstein-estate-photos-released/ |archive-date=January 1, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Department of Justice releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act === {{Main|Epstein Files Transparency Act}}
==== December 2025 release ==== The DOJ released an initial batch of heavily redacted files on December 19, 2025, the deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.<ref name="december19deadline"/> The release drew bipartisan criticism for failing to meet the law's requirements, with over 500 pages being entirely blacked out.<ref name="Violation2"/><ref name="CBS-500-pages-blacked-out" /> Less than a day after the release, sixteen files disappeared from the public webpage without explanation.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Sisak |first2=David |last2=Caruso |url=https://apnews.com/article/release-epstein-files-justice-department-trump-9290fcaad1cb6fcb1cbc1befabc01994 |title=At least 16 files have disappeared from the DOJ webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein |work=AP News |date=December 20, 2025 |access-date=December 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205033500/https://apnews.com/article/release-epstein-files-justice-department-trump-9290fcaad1cb6fcb1cbc1befabc01994 |archive-date=February 5, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Faulty redaction techniques in the digital files allowed members of the public to recover blacked-out content, revealing information officials had intended to withhold, including details about the trafficking ring's members and methods.<ref name="Nerkar 2025">{{Cite news |last=Nerkar |first=Santul |date=December 23, 2025 |title=Redacted Material in Some Epstein Files Is Easily Recovered |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/politics/epstein-files-redactions-doj.html |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251226141746/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/politics/epstein-files-redactions-doj.html |archive-date=December 26, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Chidi 2025">{{Cite news |last=Chidi |first=George |date=December 23, 2025 |title=Some Epstein file redactions are being undone with hacks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/23/epstein-unredacted-files-social-media |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> By early January 2026, less than one percent of the files had been publicly released, according to a DOJ letter to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.<ref name="Greene 182026">{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Connor |title=Less Than 1% of the Epstein Files Have Been Released, DOJ Says |url=https://time.com/7343702/epstein-files-release-doj/ |magazine=TIME |date=January 6, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date= }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
==== January 2026 release ==== On January 30, 2026, the DOJ released over 3 million pages of documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos related to Epstein.<ref name=justicedepartmentjan302026release/><ref name="AP-largest-batch">{{Cite news |title=Justice Department releases largest batch yet of Epstein documents, says it totals 3 million pages |url=https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-justice-department-trump-ed743598c320b94bd9d91631618678d9 |work=AP News |date=January 30, 2026 |access-date=January 31, 2026 |language=en |first=Eric |last=Tucker |first2=Michael R. |last2=Sisak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130232322/https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-justice-department-trump-ed743598c320b94bd9d91631618678d9 |archive-date=January 30, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the release brought the department into compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and would be the final major release.<ref name=reportedlegalobligationcompliance/><ref name="NYT-what-to-know">{{Cite news |title=Here's What to Know About the Millions of Pages of Epstein Documents |last=Ahn |first=Ashley |date=January 30, 2026 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/us/what-to-know-epstein-files.html |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=February 1, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201002539/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/us/what-to-know-epstein-files.html }}</ref> Federal prosecutors had initially identified six million pages as potentially responsive to the disclosure law, but the DOJ released only half that amount, stating officials had erred on the side of "over-collection".<ref name="NYT-what-to-know"/> Representative Ro Khanna and other Democratic lawmakers disputed the compliance claim and accused the department of violating the law by withholding "the FBI 302 victim interview statements, a draft indictment and prosecution memorandum prepared during the 2007 Florida investigation, and hundreds of thousands of emails and files from Epstein's computers."<ref name="epsteinfiles6millions"/><ref name="Khanna 2026"/>
[[File:Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (born 1955) at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025.png|thumb|200px|Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO and chairman of Dubai's DP World, appears in the Epstein files more than 4,700 times]]
Blanche stated the White House "had nothing to do" with vetting the documents and that names of powerful men associated with Epstein were not redacted.<ref name="NYT-what-to-know"/><ref name="WaPo-Epstein-release">{{Cite news |last=Stein |first=Perry |last2=Wang |first2=Amy B. |date=January 30, 2026 |title=Justice Department releases large cache of additional Epstein files |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/30/jeffrey-epstein-files-release/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=January 31, 2026 |work=The Washington Post |archive-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130211850/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/30/jeffrey-epstein-files-release/ }}</ref> The DOJ noted that the release may contain "fake or falsely submitted" material, and in its accompanying statement described certain claims against President Trump as "unfounded and false".<ref name=justicedepartmentjan302026release/> The department withheld approximately 200,000 pages under various legal privileges, as well as child sexual abuse material or material identifying victims.<ref name="WaPo-Epstein-release"/><ref name="NYT-what-to-know"/>
The redactions were required to be qualified under the act, and to date, no such qualification has been released alongside the files.<ref>{{Cite web |work=US Department of Justice, Office of the Deputy Attorney General |date=January 30, 2026 |title=Re: Epstein Files Transparency Act - Production of Department Materials |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1426091/dl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212123905/https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1426091/dl |archive-date=February 12, 2026 |access-date=February 12, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> The DOJ has admitted some failures to redact information related to victims' identities, and has reported remedying some released files.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neuman |first=Scott |last2=Fadel |first2=Leila |date=February 6, 2026 |title=DOJ admits redaction errors in Epstein docs while names in files face scrutiny |url=https://www.wunc.org/2026-02-06/doj-admits-redaction-errors-in-epstein-docs-while-names-in-files-face-scrutiny |access-date=February 12, 2026 |website=WUNC News |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
Similarly, the DOJ has admitted to redacting the names of individuals who seem to not fall under the qualification of the Act, after congressmembers were given access to view the unredacted files on a government server.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fuchs |first=Hailey |date=February 10, 2026 |title=House Dem identifies 'wealthy, powerful men' DOJ redacted in Epstein files |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/10/congress/ro-khanna-names-names-00774551 |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=POLITICO |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210232350/https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/10/congress/ro-khanna-names-names-00774551 |archive-date=February 10, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the DOJ announced it would allow individual representatives to view files on the server, pressure from Thomas Massie on why certain names were redacted caused the DOJ to unredact the name of Les Wexner, a prominent businessman listed as a co-conspirator on FBI documents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eaton |first=Sabrina |date=February 11, 2026 |title=Rep. Massie confronts AG Bondi over redaction of Les Wexner's name in Epstein files |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02/rep-massie-confronts-ag-bondi-over-redaction-of-les-wexners-name-in-epstein-files.html |access-date=February 12, 2026 |website=cleveland |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212012052/https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02/rep-massie-confronts-ag-bondi-over-redaction-of-les-wexners-name-in-epstein-files.html |archive-date=February 12, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gregorian |first=Dareh |date=February 11, 2026 |title=Justice Department releases names of 3 people the FBI once called Jeffrey Epstein 'co-conspirators' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/doj-names-3-people-fbi-once-called-jeffrey-epstein-co-conspirators-rcna258335 |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212061715/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/doj-names-3-people-fbi-once-called-jeffrey-epstein-co-conspirators-rcna258335 |archive-date=February 12, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On February 10, 2026, Ro Khanna listed Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem as one of six men whose names had been redacted from the Epstein files but whom Khanna had been able to identify after spending two hours viewing unredacted files.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/10/six-men-epstein-files-unredacted |title=Who are the six men named in the unredacted Epstein files? |last=Gedeon |first=Joseph |work=The Guardian |date=February 10, 2026 |access-date=February 10, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
Due to the process used by the DOJ to convert emails into the PDF format, the released files contain numerous encoding artifacts, such as the = sign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dzieza |first=Joshua |date=February 15, 2026 |title=We asked experts why are Epstein's emails full of equals signs |url=https://www.theverge.com/policy/879016/epstein-files-emails-text-errors-encoding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215130330/https://www.theverge.com/policy/879016/epstein-files-emails-text-errors-encoding |archive-date=February 15, 2026 |access-date=February 15, 2026 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Independent online databases === {{Main|Jmail|EpsteinExposed}}
In November 2025, artist Riley Walz and Kino AI co-founder Luke Igel launched Jmail, a browser-based archive of the Epstein files browsable using the interfaces of various popular apps, with the goal of making the files easier to access and browse.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2026 |title=You can read Epstein's emails like you are inside his inbox |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/you-can-read-epsteins-emails-like-you-are-inside-his-inbox/articleshow/127866090.cms |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=February 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208040813/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/you-can-read-epsteins-emails-like-you-are-inside-his-inbox/articleshow/127866090.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Sumit |date=February 2, 2026 |title=Epstein Files: New Jmail Tool Lets You Browse Epstein's Emails in a Gmail-Style Inbox — What It Is & How It Works |url=https://sundayguardianlive.com/epstein-files-new-jmail-tool-lets-you-browse-epsteins-emails-in-a-gmail-style-inbox-what-it-is-how-it-works-168024/ |access-date=February 4, 2026 |work=The Sunday Guardian |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2025 |title=You can now search the Epstein emails in a simulated Gmail tab |url=https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/you-can-now-search-the-epstein-emails-in-a-simulated-gmail-tab-203818438.html |access-date=February 4, 2026 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131233335/https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/you-can-now-search-the-epstein-emails-in-a-simulated-gmail-tab-203818438.html |url-status=live}}</ref> As of February 19, 2026, Jmail has archived a total of 1,412,250 files and 2,474,242 pages; with 1,401,320 documents as released by the DOJ, and 8,624 documents from the House Oversight Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Igel |first=Luke |last2=Walz |first2=Riley |title=JDrive — Epstein Document Archive |url=https://jmail.world/drive |access-date=February 19, 2026 |website=Jmail |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219014602/https://jmail.world/drive |archive-date=February 19, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2025, a data engineer using the pseudonym "Eric Keller" launched EpsteinExposed, an online database that shows the relationships between people named in the DOJ-released files, court filings, FBI disclosures, and congressional investigations. As of March 2026, the database has indexed 2.15 million documents and catalogued 1,500 people.<ref name="wired">{{cite news |last1=Biller |first1=Ryan |title=He Built the Definitive Epstein Database—and It Consumed His Life |url=https://www.wired.com/story/he-built-the-definitive-epstein-database-and-it-consumed-his-life/ |work=Wired (magazine) |date=March 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260325212157/https://www.wired.com/story/he-built-the-definitive-epstein-database-and-it-consumed-his-life/ |archive-date=March 25, 2026}}</ref>
== Conspiracy theories == === Client list conspiracy theory === {{distinguish|List of people named in the Epstein files}}
[[File:Jeffrey Epstein with Mohammed bin Salman.EFTA01599490.jpg|thumb|200px|Epstein with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, c. 2016–2017]]
Claims surrounding the existence of a "client list" first surfaced in the immediate aftermath of Epstein's death, later reaching heightened prominence in 2025 following a now-deleted tweet from Elon Musk alleging that United States president Donald Trump was "in the Epstein files".<ref name="abcnews-muskdeletexposts">{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/musk-appears-delete-posts-claiming-trump-epstein-files/story?id=122609304 |title=Musk appears to delete X posts claiming Trump was in Epstein files |work=ABC News |access-date=February 11, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204103849/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/musk-appears-delete-posts-claiming-trump-epstein-files/story?id=122609304 |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Trump administration's DOJ released a memo on July 7, 2025,<ref name="fbimemo-justicegov">{{Cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407001/dl |title=FBI Memo, July 2025 |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=July 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> which stated the list did not exist and "no credible evidence [was] found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties." The memo was met with skepticism from political commentators across the political spectrum, such as Alex Jones<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Alex Jones Breaks Down in Tears After DOJ, FBI Release Epstein Memo Finding No Evidence of a 'Client List': It 'Tears My Guts Out' |url=https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/alex-jones-breaks-down-tears-doj-fbi-epstein-memo-client-list-1236449323/ |access-date=July 28, 2025 |magazine=Variety |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251122004541/https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/alex-jones-breaks-down-tears-doj-fbi-epstein-memo-client-list-1236449323/ |archive-date=November 22, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> and John Oliver.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oganesyan |first=Natalie |date=July 28, 2025 |title=John Oliver Zeroes In On Laundry List Of Trump's Connections To Jeffrey Epstein: "Nothing To See!" |url=https://deadline.com/2025/07/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-1236471894/ |access-date=July 28, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251224183952/https://deadline.com/2025/07/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-1236471894/ |archive-date=December 24, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> The same memo also affirmed that Epstein's death was a suicide.<ref name="fbimemo-justicegov" />
"Epstein's black book" or "Epstein's little black book" refers to a 97-page book of names, phone numbers, emails, and home addresses a former employee took from Epstein's home{{Which|date=February 2026}} in 2005 and later tried to sell. ''Gawker'' published a redacted version in 2015, and an unredacted version was released on 8chan in 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nally |first=Leland |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/10/i-called-everyone-in-jeffrey-epsteins-little-black-book/ |title=I Called Everyone in Jeffrey Epstein's Little Black Book |magazine=Mother Jones |date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=July 22, 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jeffrey-epstein-high-society-contacts.html |title=Who Was Jeffrey Epstein Calling? |magazine=New York |date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107053630/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jeffrey-epstein-high-society-contacts.html |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2025 |last=Colyar |first=Brock |last2=Hurwitz |first2=Kelsey |last3=Klein |first3=Charlotte |first4=Ezekiel |last4=Kweku |last5=Larocca |first5=Amy |last6=Martins |first6=Yinka |last7=Raymond |first7=Adam K. |first8=Matthew |last8=Schneier |last9=Walsh |first9=James D. |display-authors=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Little Black Book REDACTED |url=https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/1508273-jeffrey-epsteins-little-black-book-redacted/ |access-date=July 26, 2025 |website=DocumentCloud |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203034957/https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/1508273-jeffrey-epsteins-little-black-book-redacted/ |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Other Little Black Book REDACTED |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20973204-jeffrey-epsteins-other-little-black-book-redacted/ |access-date=July 26, 2025 |website=DocumentCloud |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> A second book of contacts, sometimes referred to as "Epstein's other little black book", was published by ''Business Insider'' in 2021, and is dated October 1997.<ref name="MTCW 21">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Meghan |last2=Trotter |first2=J.K. |last3=Cook |first3=John |last4=Wang |first4=Angela |title=We found Jeffrey Epstein's other little black book from 1997. Search all 349 names in our exclusive database. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-other-little-black-book-2021-6 |access-date=August 5, 2025 |work=Business Insider |date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204001726/https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-other-little-black-book-2021-6 |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
According to investigative reporter Julie K. Brown, Epstein's then-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell compiled the directory, which included celebrities as well as Epstein's gardeners, hairdresser, barbers, and electrician. Brown said that "the so-called list is really a red herring" and that "every time Epstein or Maxwell met somebody important, they would get their contact information, and they would put it in this file ... So it was pretty clear that this was not a black book in the sense that these were all his clients. It was just a phone directory."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=LaFrance |first1=Adrienne |title=The Razor-Thin Line Between Conspiracy Theory and Actual Conspiracy |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2025/07/the-line-between-conspiracy-theory-and-actual-conspiracy/683569/ |magazine=The Atlantic |access-date=August 24, 2025 |date=July 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203110057/https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2025/07/the-line-between-conspiracy-theory-and-actual-conspiracy/683569/ |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Leingang |first=Rachel |title=What are the Jeffrey Epstein files and will they be released? |work=The Guardian |date=July 24, 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/24/what-are-jeffrey-epstein-documents-trump |access-date=August 22, 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
==Reaction and fallout== The release of the documents has resulted in numerous resignations, investigations, and formal inquiries worldwide related to figures and organizations implicated in the Epstein files. Miroslav Lajčák, a national security advisor for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and a former president of the United Nations General Assembly, resigned on January 31, 2026, following a joint statement from opposition politicians calling for his departure and mounting pressure from the media; Fico agreed to and accepted the resignation.<ref name="AP-resignation-coop" />
Lajčák explained that his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein were strictly professional and social, characterizing them as a necessary part of his diplomatic duties in New York, where Epstein was a well-connected figure who "opened many doors". Lajčák claimed he cannot recall any messages or conversations with Epstein about girls.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sme.sk/domov/c/lajcak-po-odstupeni-bol-som-chlapec-zo-slovenska-v-new-yorku-kontakt-s-epsteinom-otvaral-vela-dveri |title=Lajčák verejne prehovoril: Bol som chlapec zo Slovenska v New Yorku, kontakt s Epsteinom otváral veľa dverí |trans-title=Lajčák speaks out publicly: I was a boy from Slovakia in New York; contact with Epstein opened many doors |language=sk |date=February 2, 2026 |website=SME |archive-url= |archive-date= |last=Terenzani |first=Michaela}}</ref> Lajčák acknowledged that the communication was a "mistake" and "unacceptable" stating: "When I read those messages today, I feel like a fool. It was a private conversation. At the very least, I made a poor judgment. I am paying the price for it."<ref>{{cite web |last=Gábelová |first=Alexandra |date=February 2, 2026 |title=„Keď tie správy dnes čítam, cítim sa ako hlupák." Lajčák otvorene o komunikácii s Epsteinom |trans-title=When I read those messages today, I feel like a fool." Lajčák speaks openly about communication with Epstein |url=https://www.startitup.sk/ked-tie-spravy-dnes-citam-citim-sa-ako-hlupak-lajcak-otvorene-o-komunikacii-s-epsteinom/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |website=Startitup |language=sk}}</ref>
[[File:Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts a business roundtable (54354095881).jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and Peter Mandelson in February 2025. The release of documents detailing Mandelson's ties to Epstein led to political pressure on Starmer's leadership.]]
On February 1, 2026, British life peer Peter Mandelson resigned his membership of the Labour Party to avoid causing it "further embarrassment" for being linked in the files.<ref>{{cite news |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |last2=Crerar |first2=Pippa |date=February 1, 2026 |title=Mandelson resigns from Labour to prevent 'further embarrassment' over Epstein links |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/01/mandelson-should-testify-before-us-congress-about-his-links-to-epstein-uk-minister-says |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2026 |title=UK's ex-ambassador Mandelson quits Labour over Epstein links, reports say |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/2/2/uks-ex-ambassador-mandelson-quits-labour-over-epstein-links-reports-say |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=February 2, 2026 |language=en |first=John |last=Power |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> On February 3, Mandelson announced his resignation from the House of Lords, effective on the next day;<ref name="bbcmandelson2" /> the day of his announcement, the Metropolitan Police announced they would formally launch a criminal investigation into Mandelson.<ref name="criminvest">{{cite news |last=Crerar |first=Pippa |last2=Elgot |first2=Jessica |date=February 3, 2026 |title=Met police to launch investigation into alleged Mandelson-Epstein email leaks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/03/met-police-to-launch-investigation-into-alleged-mandelson-epstein-email-leaks |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=February 3, 2026 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Downing Street Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, would also resign after taking "full responsibility" for advising Mandelson's appointment.<ref>{{Cite news |title='I'm not prepared to walk away.' Starmer tells MPs as he fights for political survival after Mandelson scandal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c74wd01egvyt |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211075014/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c74wd01egvyt |archive-date=February 11, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On February 1, 2026, the US–Ireland Alliance decided to rename a scholarship that had been known as the "George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program" based on allegations, which Mitchell denied, that he along with Epstein and Maxwell abused Virginia Giuffre.<ref name="BBC-Mitchelle-scholarship">{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2026 |title=George Mitchell Scholarship renamed over Epstein links |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgdypxje6xo |access-date=February 2, 2026 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202035135/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgdypxje6xo |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=US-IRELAND ALLIANCE TO REMOVE NAME OF SENATOR GEORGE J. MITCHELL FROM ITS PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |date=February 1, 2026 |publisher=US-Ireland Alliance |url=https://us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarship/announcement |access-date=February 2, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203153621/https://us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarship/announcement |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> The disclosures revived questions about whether the former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, should cooperate with U.S. authorities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested on February 1 that Mountbatten-Windsor should tell American investigators what he knows about Epstein's activities.<ref name="AP-resignation-coop" /> Mountbatten-Windsor had not responded to a request from members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee for a "transcribed interview" about his "long-standing friendship" with Epstein.<ref name="AP-resignation-coop" />
On February 2, 2026, Joanna Rubinstein resigned from her position as the chair of Sweden for UNHCR, a national partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The files revealed that Rubinstein had visited Epstein's private island in 2012, a visit she later confirmed while stating she was unaware of the full extent of his crimes at the time. The Swedish UNHCR board stated they had no prior knowledge of these events and accepted her departure to protect the organization's reputation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Deconinck |first=Carl |date=February 2, 2026 |title=Swedish UNHCR chief resigns after Epstein files reveal she visited pedo island |url=https://brusselssignal.eu/2026/02/swedish-unhcr-chief-resigns-after-epstein-files-reveal-she-visited-pedo-island/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |website=Brussels Signal }}</ref> Also on February 2, protests were held outside of Gracie Mansion after the files revealed that Mira Nair, the mother of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, had been in contact with Epstein's Ghislaine Maxwell per an email from 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/international/nyc-mayor-mamdani-heckled-outside-gracie-mansion-as-epstein-records-mention-his-mother/videoshow/127861958.cms |title=NYC Mayor Mamdani 'Heckled' Outside Gracie Mansion As Epstein Records Mention His Mother |date=February 2, 2026 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203015246/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/international/nyc-mayor-mamdani-heckled-outside-gracie-mansion-as-epstein-records-mention-his-mother/videoshow/127861958.cms |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=This current source has sometimes had a poor reputation for fact-checking per [WP:TIMESOFINDIA]|date=February 2026}} During the protest, some protesters shouted "shame!" into a megaphone<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/we-know-about-your-mom-zohran-mamdani-faces-heat-over-epstein-row-supporters-heckle-nyc-mayor-at-home/articleshow/127850926.cms |title='We know about your mom': Zohran Mamdani faces heat over Epstein row; supporters heckle NYC mayor at home |date=February 2, 2026 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204182931/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/we-know-about-your-mom-zohran-mamdani-faces-heat-over-epstein-row-supporters-heckle-nyc-mayor-at-home/articleshow/127850926.cms |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=This current source has sometimes had a poor reputation for fact-checking per [WP:TIMESOFINDIA]|date=February 2026}} while others were heard shouting, "you lied to us."<ref>{{cite web |date=February 2, 2026 |editor-last=Nandini |editor-first=Navashree |title='You lie to us': Zohran Mamdani faces massive protest after Mira Nair's name appears on Epstein email |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/-you-lie-to-us-zohran-mamdani-faces-massive-protest-after-mira-nair-s-name-appears-on-epstein-email-1770026792674 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |website=WION |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206230653/https://www.wionews.com/world/-you-lie-to-us-zohran-mamdani-faces-massive-protest-after-mira-nair-s-name-appears-on-epstein-email-1770026792674 |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |quote=Protesters were seen shouting "shame" and "you lied to us", adding that they supported him but was betrayed. |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=February 2026}}
A group of Epstein accusers released a statement criticizing the disclosure, saying the documents made it too easy to identify victims while "Epstein's enablers continue to benefit from secrecy."<ref name="AP-resignation-coop"/> Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called for lawmakers to be allowed to review unredacted versions of the files to assess whether redactions were lawful.<ref name="AP-resignation-coop" /> Representative Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee stated that the Justice Department had defied the committee's August 5 subpoena.<ref name="WaPo-Epstein-release"/>
Unlike the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which permits redactions, the subpoena required Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the full, unredacted Epstein files to the committee, including any classified materials and information tied to ongoing investigations.<ref name="WaPo-Epstein-release"/> Deputy Attorney General Blanche stated on February 2, 2026, that there would be no additional prosecutions related to Epstein. Blanche said that there was "a lot of correspondence. There's a lot of emails. There's a lot of photographs", but added that the materials did not "allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody."<ref name="CNN-does-little">{{Cite news |title=New document dump does little to answer Epstein questions or the pain of survivors |last=Collinson |first=Stephen |date=February 1, 2026 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/politics/epstein-files-trump-blanche-clintons-musk-analysis |access-date=February 1, 2026 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202051716/https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/02/politics/epstein-files-trump-blanche-clintons-musk-analysis |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Representative Ro Khanna indicated that he and Representative Thomas Massie would consider contempt or impeachment proceedings against senior officials if compliance with the transparency law did not improve.<ref name="CNN-does-little"/> The House was expected to vote on holding Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt for refusing a subpoena to testify; attorneys for the Clintons called the subpoenas "invalid and legally unenforceable".<ref name="CNN-does-little"/> Both Clintons sat for depositions in late February.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Lydia |date=February 27, 2026 |title=Bill Clinton's Deposition Ends After Around 6 Hours |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/latest-news-live-updates_n_699c2475e4b0f41da8d4babb/liveblog_69a2264ce4b0790713155c9b |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=HuffPost |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
David A. Ross resigned as chair of the School of Visual Arts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farfan |first=Isa |last2=Nayyar |first2=Rhea |date=February 3, 2026 |title=David A. Ross Resigns From School of Visual Arts After Epstein Revelations |url=https://hyperallergic.com/david-ross-resigns-from-school-of-visual-arts-after-epstein-revelations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204005610/https://hyperallergic.com/david-ross-resigns-from-school-of-visual-arts-after-epstein-revelations/ |archive-date=February 4, 2026 |access-date=February 3, 2026 |work=Hyperallergic |url-status=live }}</ref>
The documents included a draft statement from the US Department of Justice noting Epstein's death on August 9, the day before his actual death. When questioned, the DOJ said it was an "unfortunate typo."<ref>{{Cite news |title=BBC Verify: Wrong date on draft Epstein death statement a typo, US officials tell BBC Verify |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgk2yk4vj3lt |access-date=February 13, 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212210416/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgk2yk4vj3lt |archive-date=February 12, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In the United States, the disclosures also prompted scrutiny of academic institutions. Seventy faculty members at Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University, signed a letter calling for an investigation into a trustee whose name appeared in the Epstein files. Harvard University announced that it was reviewing the former university president's ties to Epstein.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirchgaessner |first=Stephanie |date=February 19, 2026 |title=Bard hires top law firm to investigate links between college president and Epstein |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/19/bard-college-wilmerhale-leon-botstein |access-date=February 24, 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Braun |first=Sara |date=February 23, 2026 |title=Epstein files cast pall among US faculty and students: 'I just feel a deep disappointment' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/23/students-faculty-universities-epstein |access-date=February 24, 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
=== Government investigations === Several countries announced investigations following revelations that their nationals may have been victimized by Epstein or his associates. On February 3, 2026, Turkish prosecutors reviewed newly released Epstein files as part of an investigation into allegations that he trafficked Turkish children. The Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office had launched the inquiry in December 2025 after opposition Iyi Party MP Turhan Çömez highlighted a reference in the files, which reportedly alleged that Epstein transported minor girls from Turkey, the Czech Republic, Asia, and other countries.<ref>{{cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Alex |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/prosecutors-investigating-claims-turkish-girls-were-trafficked |title=Prosecutors investigating Epstein files after claims Turkish girls were trafficked |work=Middle East Eye |date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203173833/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/prosecutors-investigating-claims-turkish-girls-were-trafficked |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |access-date=February 4, 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Also on February 3, Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda called for a law enforcement investigation into potential human trafficking, which Lithuanian prosecutors subsequently announced, after the country's media reported that the names of several Lithuanian models and arts figures are in the files.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 3, 2026 |title=Lithuania launches human trafficking probe related to Epstein files |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/lithuania-launches-human-trafficking-probe-related-epstein-files-2026-02-03/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=Reuters |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
On February 5, the president of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, called for an investigation after the Latvian public broadcaster{{Which|date=April 2026}} reported the Epstein documents included passport data and travel details for several Latvian women; the Latvian State Police announced an investigation involving prosecutors and the Organised Crime Bureau into "the possible recruitment of Latvian nationals for sexual exploitation in the United States".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/latvia-launches-human-trafficking-investigation-after-epstein-file-release-2026-02-05/ |title=Latvia launches human trafficking investigation after Epstein file release |work=Reuters |date=February 5, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
On February 6, Norway reportedly planned to open an inquiry, backed by parliament, into its foreign ministry, after several officials appeared in the files, including former foreign ministers Thorbjørn Jagland and Børge Brende, and diplomat Mona Juul and her husband Terje Rød-Larsen.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fouche |first=Gwladys |date=February 6, 2026 |title=Norway to probe Epstein revelations as scandal reverberates round Europe |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-set-probe-epstein-revelations-scandal-reverberates-round-europe-2026-02-06/ |work=Reuters |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
On February 19, British police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, son of Queen Elizabeth II and former Duke of York, upon suspicion of misconduct in public office from his relationships with Jeffrey Epstein.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 2026 |title=Former Prince Andrew arrested following Epstein files revelations |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/former-prince-andrew-arrested-epstein-files-revelations-rcna259691 |access-date=February 20, 2026 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219234316/https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/former-prince-andrew-arrested-epstein-files-revelations-rcna259691 |archive-date=February 19, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 2026 |title=Former Prince Andrew arrested over suspected misconduct in public office revealed in Epstein files - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-prince-andrew-arrested-epstein-files-suspected-misconduct-public-office/ |access-date=February 20, 2026 |work=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=February 20, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220062121/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-prince-andrew-arrested-epstein-files-suspected-misconduct-public-office/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 10 hours later, he was released from custody, though still "under investigation".<ref>{{Cite news |title=UK police say ex-Prince Andrew released under investigation |url=https://www.dw.com/en/uk-police-say-ex-prince-andrew-released-under-investigation/live-76032665 |access-date=February 23, 2026 |work=Deutsche Welle |language=en |archive-date=February 20, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220231651/https://www.dw.com/en/uk-police-say-ex-prince-andrew-released-under-investigation/live-76032665 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mountbatten-Windsor is the first member of the House of Windsor to be arrested throughout its history, and by extension, the first member of a British royal family to be arrested in 379 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karl |first=Jessica |date=February 19, 2026 |title=Former Prince Andrew Breaks a 379-Year Streak |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/newsletters/2026-02-19/arrest-of-former-prince-andrew-breaks-a-379-year-streak |access-date=February 20, 2026 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lawless |first=Jill |agency=Associated Press |date=February 19, 2026 |title=Former Prince Andrew is the first senior British royal arrested in nearly 400 years. Here's what to know |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/former-prince-andrew-is-the-first-senior-british-royal-arrested-in-nearly-400-years-heres-what-to-know |access-date=February 20, 2026 |work=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220030551/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/former-prince-andrew-is-the-first-senior-british-royal-arrested-in-nearly-400-years-heres-what-to-know |archive-date=February 20, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by the arrest of British politician Peter Mandelson outside of his home on February 23, also for misconduct in public office,<ref name="leparisien-feb2026" /> though Mandelson was shortly released on bail.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 23, 2026 |title=Former British ambassador to the U.S. released on bail after arrest in Epstein investigation |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/epstein-files-uk-ambassador-arrested-peter-mandelson-prince-andrew-rcna260288 |access-date=February 24, 2026 |work=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224000748/https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/epstein-files-uk-ambassador-arrested-peter-mandelson-prince-andrew-rcna260288 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In an interview released March 17, deputy attorney general Todd Blanche said there was no new evidence to be used in prosecutions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rabinowitz |first=Hannah |date=March 18, 2026 |title=Deputy AG Blanche defends DOJ's work on Epstein case ahead of closed-door Hill briefing |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/18/politics/todd-blanche-doj-jeffrey-epstein-files |access-date=March 18, 2026 |work=CNN |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
On April 29, 2026, former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously declined to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee with regards to her handling of the Epstein files, now agreed to do so, with her scheduled testimony set to take place on May 29, 2026.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/pam-bondi-testify-house-oversight-committees-epstein-investigation-may-rcna342682|title=Pam Bondi to testify in House Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation May 29|first1=Alexandra|last1=Marquez|first2=Kyle|last2=Stewart|publisher=NBC News|date=April 29, 2026|accessdate=April 30, 2026}}</ref>
=== Public opinion === {{Mim | total_width = 275 | image1 = The files are not in Iran (55131466853).jpg | alt1 = A protestor holds a banner stating, "THE FILES ARE NOT IN IRAN!" | caption1 = On February 28, 2026, a protester in Washington D.C. promotes the theory that the US-Israel air strikes were a distraction from the Jeffrey Epstein network investigation. | image2 = Quds Day 2026 in Tehran 22 Avash.webp | alt2 = Iranian protesters hold banners depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. To the right of the image of Trump are the words "Down with USA". | caption2 = In March 2026, protesters in Tehran promote the same theory. | direction = vertical }}
A December 2025 Reuters poll found that 23% of Americans approved of Trump's handling of the Epstein case.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=April |date=December 12, 2025 |title=Most Republicans approve of Trump's handling of Epstein files: poll |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-epstein-files-release-new-poll |access-date=January 2, 2026 |website=Axios |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> A January 2026 CNN poll found that 49% of Americans were dissatisfied with how much of the Epstein files "the federal government has released so far", while 6% were satisfied; two-thirds of respondents said the government was deliberately withholding information.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards-Levy |first1=Ariel |title=CNN poll: Just 6% of Americans satisfied with how much US has released from Epstein files so far |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/18/politics/epstein-files-cnn-poll |work=CNN |access-date=January 19, 2026 |date=January 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202120602/https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/18/politics/epstein-files-cnn-poll |archive-date=February 2, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In Russia, the Kremlin has pointed to various revelations in the files as supposed proof of the West's moral decline; Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, "Now we know how the Western elite treat children, including their own."<ref name="nyt-mv-26" /> However, the documents also revealed that Epstein had befriended Sergei Belyakov in 2014.<ref name="nyt-mv-26">{{cite news |last1=Myers |first1=Steven Lee |last2=Vasilyeva |first2=Nataliya |date=February 10, 2026 |title=Epstein Files Reveal Efforts to Build Ties With Officials in Russia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/business/epstein-files-russia-putin.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
Significant global coverage of the Epstein files has continued in early 2026. With both reporting and opinion articles released by news agencies such as Al Jazeera,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Marium |last2=Duggal |first2=Hanna |date=February 10, 2026 |title=Struggling to navigate the Epstein files? Here is a visual guide |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/10/struggling-to-navigate-the-epstein-files-here-is-a-visual-guide |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211214303/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/10/struggling-to-navigate-the-epstein-files-here-is-a-visual-guide |archive-date=February 11, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> BBC,<ref>{{Cite news |title=What have we learned from Epstein files and what now? Watch BBC special coverage |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/clye5917lyvt |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210094337/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/clye5917lyvt |archive-date=February 10, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Le Monde'',<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jeffrey Epstein - World news, culture and opinion |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/jeffrey-epstein/ |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=Le Monde |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> there is substantial global interest in the case. Given the nature of the crimes either committed by or for which they were accused, the relationship with either Maxwell and Epstein has been met with public discontent among voters in other countries, most notably Europe and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 11, 2026 |title=New revelations from Epstein files take a toll across Europe |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/new-revelations-from-epstein-files-take-a-toll-across-europe |access-date=February 12, 2026 |work=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213221631/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/new-revelations-from-epstein-files-take-a-toll-across-europe |archive-date=February 13, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stephen Hawking pictured in Epstein files sipping cocktail |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stephen-hawking-epstein-files-bikini-photo-b2927461.html |work=The Independent |access-date=February 26, 2026 |language=en |date=February 26, 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
==== Epstein class ==== As a result of negative public opinion towards the contents of the Epstein files, a political neologism has emerged called the "Epstein class".<ref name="wolf-zac-cnn">{{Cite news |last=Wolf |first=Zachary B. |date=February 9, 2026 |title=Analysis: Democrats wade into 'Epstein class' warfare |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/politics/epstein-files-ossoff-clinton-trump-lutnick-analysis|access-date=February 19, 2026 |work=CNN |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herndon |first=Astead |date=March 2, 2026 |title=The “Epstein class,” explained |url=https://www.vox.com/podcasts/480850/epstein-files-ro-khanna-accountability-congress-explained |access-date=March 19, 2026 |website=Vox |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> It has been used in contemporary public discourse to denote wealthy, powerful, well-connected individuals or dynasties, viewed as operating with impunity from legal and moral accountability, especially in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. They are seen as part of the ruling class and the transnational capitalist class who own capital in multiple countries. Its use has been largely spearheaded by United States House representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie as well as United States senator Jon Ossoff.<ref name="NPRKhannaInterview">{{Cite news |last=Jarenwattananon |first=Patrick |last2=Bartlam |first2=Tyler |last3=Detrow |first3=Scott |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Democratic lawmaker reacts to Trump's reversal on Epstein files |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/11/17/nx-s1-5611012/democratic-lawmaker-reacts-to-trumps-reversal-on-epstein-files |access-date=February 19, 2026 |work=NPR |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="wolf-zac-cnn" />
===United Nations=== A panel of the United Nations Human Rights Council said that the Epstein files suggest a "global criminal enterprise" that committed crimes against humanity.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Allegations in Epstein files may amount to crimes against humanity, UN experts say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/allegations-epstein-files-may-amount-crimes-against-humanity-un-experts-say-2026-02-17 |work=Reuters |date=February 17, 2026 |access-date=March 3, 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Law|Society|Crime|Politics|United States|Current events}} * Homicide suspicions and conspiracy theories about the death of Jeffrey Epstein * {{annotated link|Lolita Express}} * List of federal political sex scandals in the United States * {{annotated link|Little Saint James}} * Connections of Jeffrey Epstein ** Relationship of Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein ** Relationship of Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway, and Jeffrey Epstein ** Relationship of Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein ** Relationship of Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein ** Relationship of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein * {{annotated link|Westminster paedophile dossier}} * {{Annotated link|Jmail}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Wikiquote}} {{Commons category}} * [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/doj-disclosures Epstein Library - DOJ Disclosures] - US Department of Justice * {{cite web |title=Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files |website=Office of Public Affairs |publisher=United States Department of Justice <!-- |access-date=February 7, 2026 --> |language=en |date=January 30, 2026}} :: To access all files produced, visit: [https://www.justice.gov/epstein DOJ Epstein files] * [https://couriernewsroom.com/news/we-created-a-searchable-database-with-all-20000-files-from-epsteins-estate/ From the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein], November 12, 2025 - Courier Newsroom :: searchable repository of 20,000 documents, released by US House Oversight Committee * [https://oversight.house.gov/release/oversight-committee-releases-epstein-records-provided-by-the-department-of-justice/ Oversight Committee Releases Epstein Records Provided by the Department of Justice], September 2, 2025, by US House Oversight Committee * [https://jmail.world Jmail], an alternative archive for the Epstein files
{{Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal}} {{Second presidency of Donald Trump}} {{Authority control}}
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