The US Department of Justice on Friday released more than three million pages of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, saying the move fulfilled its obligations under transparency legislation passed by Congress in 2025.
According to an analysis by CNN, one of the most sensitive aspects of the material concerns the numerous references to US President Donald Trump. Documents included in the newly released files feature internal FBI correspondence from August 2025 listing unverified allegations received by authorities that linked Trump to Epstein. The same document notes that many of the claims were unsubstantiated or based on third-party testimony and, in several cases, complainants could not be contacted. Trump has never been charged by authorities in connection with Epstein and has repeatedly denied any involvement.
Responding to questions, the Department of Justice stressed that the material “may include false or deliberately misleading documents and allegations”, which nevertheless had to be released under the law. In a statement, it added that “some of the allegations against President Trump were submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election”.
Questions for public figures
Emails purportedly exchanged in 2011 between Jeffrey Epstein and an account attributed to Ghislaine Maxwell have also drawn attention. In the messages, the two discuss how to handle a complaint by a woman who had worked at Mar-a-Lago. One exchange refers to the possibility of “involving Donald”, followed by the response: “I thought you said not to involve Donald.” These details align with previous testimony by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers.
Another significant finding is a draft indictment prepared by prosecutors in Florida’s Southern District in the early 2000s. The document indicates that prosecutors were at that time considering charges against Epstein along with three other individuals described as associates who allegedly facilitated meetings with underage girls. The draft refers to a conspiracy aimed at “inducing and coercing minors under the age of 18 into prostitution”. The names are redacted and the charges were never pursued, a fact likely to reignite questions over the plea deal that allowed Epstein to avoid more serious prosecution.
The newly released files also raise questions for public figures who have sought to distance themselves from Epstein. Among them is US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who appears in a 2012 email arranging a meeting with Epstein and discussing travel to his private island, despite having stated that he cut ties with Epstein in 2005. Similarly, documents show that Elon Musk exchanged messages with Epstein in 2012 and 2013 regarding a possible visit to the island, despite Musk’s claims that he rejected such invitations. None of these cases are accompanied by criminal charges.
Serious concerns have also been raised over the manner of the disclosure. Lawyers representing victims say that several documents contain unredacted names of victims, which they describe as a serious violation of privacy. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged that “errors were inevitable” given the volume of material, adding that a dedicated channel has been set up for victims to submit complaints.
Beyond the political and institutional implications, the files once again highlight the brutal reality of Epstein’s crimes. They include testimony with graphic descriptions of sexual abuse of minors, underscoring the scale of harm suffered by hundreds of victims, many of whom never saw justice following Epstein’s death in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Prince Andrew
At the same time, the release of photographs and documents from Epstein’s file has sparked renewed backlash after images emerged that appear to show Prince Andrew in controversial circumstances with a woman lying on the floor. According to descriptions accompanying the material, a man resembling the former Duke of York is seen leaning over the woman, while in one image he appears to be looking directly at the camera.
As with much of the so-called “Epstein files”, it is unclear when or where the photographs were taken, and no additional context is provided. It is recalled that a previous batch of documents included a photograph of Prince Andrew at a private residence surrounded by women, which had already prompted widespread criticism.
The files also state that Epstein offered a Russian woman to Andrew Windsor, then Prince Andrew, and that the financier sent £10,000 to the husband of Peter Mandelson.
Claims involving Bill Gates
In another strand of the case, the Telegraph reports that Epstein wrote a note to himself on 18 July 2013 describing a breakdown in his relationship with billionaire Bill Gates, along with allegations. The note states: “You begged me to delete emails about your sexually transmitted disease, your request that I supply antibiotics you could secretly give to Melinda, and the description of your penis.”
The revelations provide new details about the relationship between the two men following the release of photographs of them by the US Department of Justice. Gates had long downplayed his association with Epstein, telling the Wall Street Journal in 2019: “I didn’t have any business relationship or friendship with him.” However, reporting by the New York Times said the two met “on numerous occasions” from 2011 onwards, after Epstein’s conviction.
Flight logs from Epstein’s Gulfstream jet show that Gates travelled with him from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey to Palm Beach, Florida, in March 2013. Gates has repeatedly said he regrets his association with Epstein and has denied any wrongdoing.
Emails involving Elon Musk
Emails released by the Department of Justice on Friday also include an exchange from late 2013 in which Elon Musk appears to coordinate a possible visit to Epstein’s Caribbean island. According to CNN, Musk had previously claimed he rejected Epstein’s attempts to persuade him to visit either of his two US Virgin Islands, Great St James and Little St James, the latter of which has been linked to the abuse of girls and young women over decades.
On 13 December 2013, Musk emailed Epstein saying he would be “in the BVI/St Barts area” over the holidays and asked if there was “a good time to visit”. Epstein replied two days later that the first days of the new year would work, adding that “there is always room for you”.
In a subsequent email on Christmas Day, Epstein said “the 2nd or 3rd would be perfect” and added: “I’ll come pick you up.” Musk initially replied that he would need to fly back to Los Angeles on the evening of 2 January, before writing that he might delay his departure by a day. In a later message, he asked: “When do we go to your island on the 2nd?”
Musk later said he was “well aware that some email correspondence” with Epstein could be misinterpreted and used to damage his reputation, responding to a user on the X platform. “No one pushed harder than me for the Epstein files to be released, and I’m glad it finally happened,” he wrote.
The billionaire said he had minimal contact with Epstein and had rejected invitations to visit his island or travel on the aircraft known as the “Lolita Express”. He added that his priority was for “those who committed serious crimes alongside Epstein” to face prosecution.