The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has released over 11,000 additional documents related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, as mandated by a new law. This latest and largest tranche of files includes details on Donald Trump's past flights on Epstein's private jet, an alleged 2006 phone call from Trump to law enforcement regarding Epstein, and interactions between Epstein and other prominent figures such as Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and Peter Mandelson. The DOJ also addressed certain claims within the documents, stating some against Trump are "unfounded and false," and identified a letter purportedly from Epstein to Larry Nassar as fake.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has released over 11,000 additional documents related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, as mandated by a new law, marking the latest and largest disclosure of files.
Overview of Document Release
The U.S. Department of Justice released over 11,000 additional documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. This release marks the latest and largest disclosure of files, following an initial release, and is mandated by a new law requiring the public release of investigative records concerning Epstein.
Many of the documents contain redactions, which have prompted criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum. These lawmakers argue that redactions should be limited to protecting victims' identities or active criminal investigations and are reportedly exploring legal options to compel greater transparency from the DOJ.
Details Regarding Donald Trump
Flight Records
A January 7, 2020, email from a federal prosecutor indicated that Donald Trump was listed as a passenger on Jeffrey Epstein's private jet on at least eight occasions between 1993 and 1996. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate who was convicted and sentenced in 2022 for sex trafficking, was reportedly present on at least four of these flights. Passengers accompanying Trump on various trips included Marla Maples, Tiffany Trump, and Eric Trump.
Specific flight details mentioned in the email include:
- One 1993 flight listed only Epstein and Trump as passengers.
- Another flight included Epstein, Trump, and an individual whose identity was redacted, described as being 20 years old at the time.
- Two additional flights reportedly involved women identified as potential witnesses in a future Maxwell case at the time of the 2020 email.
Alleged 2006 Call to Law Enforcement
An FBI interview summary from October 2019 details statements by former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter, who recounted a 2006 phone call from Donald Trump regarding the Palm Beach Police Department's investigation into Epstein. According to Reiter, Trump called him after the investigation became public, reportedly stating, "thank goodness you're stopping [Epstein], everyone has known he's been doing this."
Trump also reportedly referred to Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein's "operative," describing her as "evil" and suggesting a focus on her. Reiter stated that Trump claimed to have expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club and that "people in New York knew Epstein was disgusting." Trump also reportedly told Reiter that he was present with Epstein on one occasion when teenagers were there and he "got the hell out of there." The FBI report noted Trump was among the first individuals to call when the Epstein investigation became publicly known.
Responses and Denials
The Department of Justice stated that it is "not aware of any corroborating evidence" that Trump contacted law enforcement in 2006. A White House spokesperson stated that if the call occurred, it would corroborate President Trump's consistent claim that he removed Jeffrey Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club because Epstein was perceived as a "creep." Trump has stated he ended contact with Epstein around 2004, prior to Epstein's initial arrest, after learning Epstein was allegedly attempting to recruit employees from the club's spa.
The DOJ issued a statement accompanying the document release, asserting that some claims made against Trump in the files are "untrue and sensationalist." The department characterized these claims, submitted to the FBI prior to the 2020 election, as "unfounded and false," adding that being mentioned in the files does not indicate wrongdoing.
Donald Trump has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and stated in 2024, "I was never on Epstein's Plane."
Other High-Profile Individuals Mentioned
Prince Andrew
Emails suggest that Prince Andrew, then Duke of York, invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace in September 2010, after Epstein's house arrest concluded. Correspondence reportedly indicated Epstein's request for "private time," to which Prince Andrew responded, "We could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy," and "Delighted for you to come here to BP [Buckingham Palace]. Come with whomever and I'll be here free from 1600ish."
It is not confirmed if the meeting took place, though Epstein and Prince Andrew were observed together in New York's Central Park three months later. Prince Andrew had previously stated he traveled to the U.S. to end his friendship with Epstein following his 2008 conviction. Documents also suggest Epstein offered to arrange a dinner for Prince Andrew with a 26-year-old Russian woman the previous month, to which Prince Andrew reportedly expressed delight. He also inquired if Epstein found it "good to be free" from house arrest. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and stated he did not witness or suspect Epstein's illegal activities.
Sarah Ferguson
An email from August 2009, a year after Epstein's 2008 conviction, showed Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's former wife, thanking Epstein and referring to him as the "brother" she "always wished for." The exchange implied a meeting between Ferguson, her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and Epstein, with Ferguson stating, "I have never been more touched by a friends [sic] kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls." The email suggested they had lunch the week prior, while Epstein was under house arrest.
Emails also showed Ferguson discussing her "Sarah Ferguson brand" with retailers. Epstein reportedly provided Ferguson with at least £15,000 to help address debts. In 2011, Ferguson characterized her relationship with Epstein as a "gigantic error of judgment," yet later sent him a private apology via email.
Peter Mandelson
Emails suggest Jeffrey Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in the year following Epstein's conviction, reportedly to fund an osteopathy course. Other emails indicate Mandelson requested to stay at one of Epstein's properties while Epstein was serving his jail term, during which he was permitted to work from his office during the day. Mandelson stated to The Guardian that his continued association with Epstein after the conviction was "wrong" but maintained he was "never culpable or complicit" in Epstein's crimes. Mandelson was removed from his role as the UK's ambassador to the US following the emergence of supportive messages sent to Epstein post-conviction.
"A" Email
A 2001 email sent to Ghislaine Maxwell from an individual identified as "A" from "Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family" included the line: "Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?" Maxwell responded that she had only been able to find "appropriate friends." The email was sent from abx17@dial.pipex.com, with the sender named "The Invisible Man." A prior document release showed a similar email address (aace@dial.pipex.com) listed in Epstein's phone book under "Duke of York."
Additional Revelations
Possible Co-conspirators
FBI emails from 2019, included in the documents, identified 10 individuals as possible co-conspirators in the Epstein case. At the time these emails were sent, six of these individuals had been served with subpoenas across Florida, Boston, New York City, and Connecticut. Four subpoenas remained unserved, including one for a "wealthy businessman in Ohio." While most names were redacted, unredacted names included Ghislaine Maxwell and Les Wexner. Lawyers for Les Wexner, former CEO of Victoria's Secret, stated that he was neither a co-conspirator nor a target of the investigation, cooperated fully, and was not contacted again after providing information.
Fake Letter to Larry Nassar
A handwritten letter, initially believed to be from Epstein to former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, was found among the released documents. The Department of Justice has since declared this letter to be fake, citing irregularities such as the writing style not matching Epstein's, an incorrect return address and lack of inmate number for Epstein's detention facility, and a postmark from northern Virginia dated August 13, 2019, three days after Epstein's death while he was detained in New York.
Ghislaine Maxwell's Status
Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent during a recent closed-door virtual deposition before the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Her lawyer had indicated she was "prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump." Mr. Trump has publicly stated he has not considered pardoning Maxwell.