What is Epstein Files?
The Epstein files refer to a collection of documents that outline the criminal activities of American financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, along with those connected to him. Within these records is
what is commonly called the “Epstein list,” an alleged document said to contain the names of influential individuals for whom Epstein trafficked underage girls. Epstein built close relationships with prominent figures, including politicians and celebrities. This fueled widespread speculation that he kept such a list as leverage to blackmail powerful associates. These claims have also contributed to conspiracy theories suggesting that his death in 2019, officially ruled a suicide, may have been a murder intended to protect those involved.
Who are in the Epstein Files?
The initial release of documents includes several well-known figures, such as former US President Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and musicians Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson.
However, appearing in or being mentioned in these files does not imply any wrongdoing. Many of the individuals named in these documents, as well as in earlier Epstein-related disclosures, have strongly denied any misconduct.
Several of the images released feature former US President Bill Clinton. One photograph shows him swimming in a pool, while another shows him lying on his back with his hands behind his head, seemingly in a hot tub.
Clinton was photographed with Jeffrey Epstein on multiple occasions during the 1990s and early 2000s, before Epstein was first arrested. However, Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s abuse survivors and has consistently denied having any knowledge of Epstein’s sexual crimes.
Following the release of the files, Clinton’s spokesman, Angel Ureña, issued a second statement on Monday, accusing the US Department of Justice of shielding “someone or something.” Writing on social media, Ureña said, “We do not know whom, what, or why. But we do know this: we do not need such protection.”
He called for the release of all remaining files, warning that any refusal would reinforce widespread suspicion that the Justice Department’s actions are not aimed at transparency but at creating insinuations. He also accused the department of implying wrongdoing by individuals who have already been repeatedly cleared.
Last week, Ureña stated that the newly released photographs are more than two decades old. “They can release as many grainy photos from over 20 years ago as they want, but this has never been about Bill Clinton and never will be,” he wrote.
He further argued that there are two categories of people connected to Epstein: those who cut ties with him before his crimes became public, and those who continued their association afterward. “We fall into the first category,” he said, adding that delays by people in the second group would not change that reality.
Ureña concluded by saying that the public—particularly supporters of the MAGA movement—are demanding clear answers, not scapegoats.
Epstein is Accused of Introducing Trump to a 14-Year-Old Girl
The US president is mentioned in the tranche of files recently released by the Justice Department. Court documents claim that Jeffrey Epstein allegedly introduced a 14-year-old girl to Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida during the 1990s. According to the documents, Epstein nudged Trump and “playfully asked him,” referring to the girl, “this is a good one, right?” The lawsuit filed in 2020 against Epstein’s estate and Ghislaine Maxwell says Trump smiled and nodded. The documents note that both men “chuckled,” leaving the girl uncomfortable, though she was “too young at the time to understand why.”
The victim alleges she was groomed and abused by Epstein over many years. However, she does not accuse Trump of any wrongdoing. Responding to the court documents, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the Trump administration has been “the most transparent in history,” citing the release of thousands of pages of documents, cooperation with the House Oversight Committee, and Trump’s calls for further investigations into Epstein’s associates. The president is mentioned only a few times in the thousands of documents released on Friday. He appears in several photos, though his presence is minimal. One image was briefly removed from the files on Saturday but was later restored, according to BBC Verify.
Meanwhile, Trump’s political team focused on sharing photos of former President Bill Clinton, with his press secretary exclaiming, “Oh my!”
There are still many pages yet to be released. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said “several hundred thousand” pages are under review and have not been made public. Trump has stated that he was friends with Epstein for years but they fell out around 2004, long before Epstein’s first arrest. He has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
Andrew sprawled across laps in the photo
A photograph included in the released documents seems to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying on top of five people, though their faces have been redacted.
In the same image, Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted co-conspirator of Epstein, is seen standing behind them.
Andrew has been under scrutiny for many years due to his past association with Epstein, who is not visible in this particular photo.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and stated that he did not “see, witness, or suspect any behavior of the kind that later led to Epstein’s arrest and conviction.”
This list includes famous celebrities: Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Chris Tucker, and Mick Jagger
The recently released documents feature the largest range of celebrities seen in any Epstein file release to date. Epstein, the former financier, was known for his connections in entertainment, politics, and business. Some of the photos released by the Department of Justice show him alongside stars such as Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, and Diana Ross.
However, it is not clear when or where these photos were taken, or what the circumstances were. It is also uncertain whether Epstein had any direct connection to all of these individuals or if he even attended the events shown. Previous photo releases from Epstein’s estate have included images he did not take and events he did not attend.
In one of the new photos, Epstein is pictured with Michael Jackson. Jackson is dressed in a suit, while Epstein is wearing a zip-up hoodie.
One photo of Michael Jackson shows him with former US President Bill Clinton and singer Diana Ross. They are standing together in a small space, while several other people in the image have been obscured.
Another photo from the collection shows Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger posing with Clinton and a woman whose face has been redacted. All three are dressed in cocktail attire.
Several images also feature actor Chris Tucker. In one, he is sitting next to Clinton at a dining table. In another, he is on an airport tarmac with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted for her role as an associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
The BBC has reached out to Jagger, Tucker, and Ross for comment. Clinton has previously denied any knowledge of Epstein’s sexual crimes, and a spokesman stated on Friday that these are decades-old photos.
The spokesman added: “This isn’t about Bill Clinton. It never has been, and it never will be.”
Maxwell visited Downing Street
In the set of documents that were made public yesterday, one of the photographs that was included depicts Ghislaine Maxwell standing in front of 10 Downing Street. In this particular image, she appears to be alone, and the document does not provide any additional details or context regarding the circumstances surrounding the photo. Specifically, there is no information explaining the reason for her presence at this location or the exact date when the photograph was taken. Furthermore, it remains unclear who held the position of Prime Minister at the time the photo was captured, and there is no indication of the purpose or nature of Maxwell’s visit to Downing Street.
The accuser says Epstein threatened to set her house on fire
One of the earliest people to report Jeffrey Epstein is mentioned in the newly released files.
Maria Farmer, an artist who once worked for Epstein, told the FBI in 1996 that he had stolen private photographs she had taken of her two younger sisters, who were 12 and 16 years old at the time. She said she believed Epstein sold these photos to buyers and that he threatened to burn down her house if she spoke about it. Although her name is blacked out in the files, Farmer has confirmed that the report refers to her. She also said Epstein had asked her to photograph young girls at swimming pools for him.
The FBI report states that Epstein threatened her with arson if she revealed the existence of the photos. After almost 30 years, Farmer says she feels validated and relieved, saying she finally feels vindicated.
Hundreds of thousands of pages have yet to be made public
Many of the documents released on Friday were heavily redacted, including police statements, investigation reports, and photographs. According to CBS, more than 550 pages were completely blacked out. One document linked to a grand jury investigation had all 100 of its pages fully redacted. While the law allows officials to remove information to protect victims’ identities or ongoing criminal investigations, it also requires them to explain why redactions are made. So far, no such explanations have been provided.
When asked on Sunday why all the files were not released by the Friday deadline, Blanche said the reason was straightforward: the law requires authorities to protect victims.
Only some of the Epstein-related files have been released so far, according to the US Justice Department. Thousands of pages were made public on Friday, but many more are expected.
Justice Department official Blanche said that several hundred thousand pages were released on Friday, and hundreds of thousands more will be released in the coming weeks. He explained that each page is being carefully reviewed to ensure that victims’ names, identities, and personal details are fully protected, which is why the process is slow.
Blanche also said that some photographs were removed from the Justice Department’s website on Saturday. This happened because a New York judge ordered the department to consider concerns raised by victims or victims’ rights groups.
It is still unclear when the remaining documents will be released. Lawmakers from both political parties have criticized the delay. Some Democrats, including Congressman Ro Khanna, have warned they may take action against Justice Department officials, including impeachment or prosecution, over the delays.
Khanna, working with Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, pushed for a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, going against US President Donald Trump, who initially asked Republicans to oppose the bill. Khanna said the Justice Department’s release of documents did not follow the law, adding that he and Massie are considering all possible actions.
