Justice Department releases largest Epstein document trove, totaling more than 3 million pages

NEW YORK (JN) – The U.S. Justice Department on Friday released its largest collection yet of records tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosure includes more than 3 million pages of investigative material, along with thousands of videos and images.

The release significantly expands what the public can see about what federal authorities knew about Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls. It also sheds light on his contacts with influential figures in politics, business, and public life.

Officials made the records public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Congress passed the law after months of political pressure and public frustration over limited disclosures.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department also released more than 2,000 videos and about 180,000 images. He warned that even this large release may not satisfy public demand for answers.

“There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by the review of these documents,” Blanche said.

Delays and legal review process

Congress required the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related records by Dec. 19. The department missed that deadline.

Officials later said they discovered an additional trove of records that required careful review. Hundreds of lawyers examined the files to protect sensitive information, especially details that could identify victims.

The department rejected claims that it delayed or limited the release to protect powerful individuals. That includes President Donald Trump, who previously acknowledged a social relationship with Epstein but says he cut ties years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest.

Lawmakers from both parties pushed for the transparency law to address years of public mistrust. The Epstein case has fueled conspiracy theories and suspicions of government cover-ups.

High-profile names appear in files

The newly released records reference a wide range of well-known figures who had social or professional contact with Epstein.

They include Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew, along with entrepreneur Elon Musk, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and business executive Howard Lutnick, now U.S. commerce secretary.

The files contain thousands of references to Trump. Many appear in emails where Epstein and others shared news articles, discussed politics, or commented on Trump’s family.

One spreadsheet, created last August, summarizes calls to an FBI hotline. Callers claimed, without verification, to have information about alleged wrongdoing by Trump.

Prince Andrew’s name appears hundreds of times in the records. References include news clippings, private emails, and guest lists for events organized by Epstein.

Some documents show that federal prosecutors in New York sought to interview Prince Andrew during their sex trafficking investigation. He never agreed to speak with them.

Musk, Bannon, and Lutnick communications

The records show that Elon Musk contacted Epstein at least twice about potential visits to Epstein’s private Caribbean island. Some alleged abuse reportedly occurred there.

In a 2012 exchange, Epstein asked how many people Musk would bring. Musk replied that it would likely be just himself and his then-partner, actress Talulah Riley. He also asked about the island’s social events.

In 2013, Musk wrote that he would be in the Caribbean during the holidays and asked if it was a good time to visit. Epstein invited him to come after the New Year.

The documents do not confirm whether any visit occurred. Representatives for Tesla and X did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Musk has said he declined Epstein’s invitations. Last year, he posted on X that he refused to visit the island after a calendar entry mentioning him surfaced during a congressional release.

The files also include friendly text messages between Epstein and Steve Bannon. Bannon served as Trump’s White House chief strategist during part of the president’s first term.

Their exchanges discussed politics and social meetings. In one 2019 message, Bannon asked whether Epstein’s plane could collect him in Rome. Epstein replied that he was trying to arrange it and offered to pay for a charter if needed.

Howard Lutnick also appears in the records. In 2012, Epstein invited Lutnick to lunch on his island. Lutnick’s wife accepted and said they would arrive by yacht with their children.

Lutnick has said he cut ties with Epstein decades ago. A Commerce Department spokesperson said Lutnick’s interactions were limited, occurred in his wife’s presence, and involved no allegations of wrongdoing.

Other professional connections

The records also reference Kathy Ruemmler, a former White House general counsel under President Barack Obama and now chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs.

In one email, Epstein advised Ruemmler that Democrats should avoid portraying Trump as a Mafia-like figure. He also criticized Trump personally.

Goldman Sachs said Ruemmler had a professional relationship with Epstein while in private practice. The bank said she regrets ever knowing him.

The Justice Department stressed that the presence of names in the files does not imply criminal conduct. Many references involve social correspondence, media reports, or unverified claims from the public.

Earlier releases and unresolved questions

A smaller release in December included photographs, call logs, interview transcripts, and court records. Some materials had appeared before.

They included flight logs showing Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s, before their falling-out, and photographs of former President Bill Clinton.

None of Epstein’s victims who have spoken publicly have accused Trump or Clinton of sexual misconduct. Both men have said they did not know Epstein abused underage girls.

Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in August 2019. He had been indicted a month earlier on federal sex trafficking charges.

His death renewed scrutiny of a 2008 plea deal in Florida. That agreement allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution in exchange for pleading guilty to lesser state charges.

Legal history and prosecutions

In 2008 and 2009, Epstein served jail time after pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor. Investigators had gathered evidence that he abused underage girls at his Palm Beach home.

Documents released Friday include a draft indictment from that period. Prosecutors considered charging Epstein and three of his personal assistants.

The draft alleges a conspiracy to recruit underage girls for sexual acts. The assistants’ names remain redacted.

In 2021, a federal jury convicted Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking. She helped recruit and groom some of Epstein’s victims. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors have not charged anyone else. One victim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, accused Epstein of arranging sexual encounters with powerful men while she was underage. Those accused denied the claims.

Prince Andrew settled Giuffre’s lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing and lost his royal titles. Giuffre died by suicide last year at age 41.

The Justice Department said it will continue releasing records as the law requires. Officials said they will also maintain safeguards to protect victims.

Whether the disclosures bring closure or raise further questions remains uncertain.

underage, and powerful men. Those accused denied the claims. Prince Andrew settled Giuffre’s lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing and was stripped of his royal military titles and patronages. Giuffre died by suicide last year at the age of 41.

The Justice Department said it will continue to make records public as required by law, while maintaining protections for victims. Whether the unprecedented release brings closure or raises further questions remains an open issue for investigators, lawmakers and the public alike.