Three Million Epstein Files Published: What's New and Will There Be More?
The U.S. Department of Justice has published millions of new documents in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, convicted of sexual crimes and who died in prison. This is the largest number of documents released since the enactment of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. However, it is unclear if this marks the end of the saga of document disclosure from the Epstein case, writes the BBC.
Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: Rick Friedman/Rick Friedman Photography/Corbis via Getty Images
On Friday, 3 million pages, 180 thousand photos, and 2 thousand videos were published.
The publication came six weeks after the department missed a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, which mandated the release of all documents related to the Epstein case.
“Today’s publication marks the completion of a very comprehensive process of identifying and verifying documents to ensure transparency for the American people and compliance with legal requirements,” stated U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The documents contain details about Jeffrey Epstein's time in prison, a psychological report, a report on his death while incarcerated, as well as investigative materials concerning Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's accomplice, convicted for aiding in the trafficking of underage girls.
Newly published emails from correspondence between Epstein and high-ranking individuals.
"The Duke" and a Russian Woman
The documents reveal the disgraced financier's close ties to the British elite.
The published files contain emails between Epstein and a "duke" discussing dinner at Buckingham Palace. In another message, Epstein offers to introduce the "duke" to a 26-year-old Russian woman.
The emails are signed with the letter "A", and the signature apparently means "His Royal Highness The Duke of York, Knight of the Garter".
The exchange of letters occurred in August 2010, two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for sexual acts.
These letters do not indicate any wrongdoing.
The BBC reached out for comment to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as the Duke of York. Mountbatten-Windsor had been under scrutiny for years due to his past friendship with Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Other emails show that in 2009, Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Peter Mandelson's partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
In an email to Epstein, da Silva indicates the cost of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details, and thanks the financier for his help.
Epstein replied a few hours later, stating that he would transfer the necessary amount, and da Silva, who married Mandelson in 2023, responded with thanks the next day.
In another series of emails, Lord Mandelson requests permission to stay at one of Epstein's properties.
These emails are dated June 16, 2009, when Epstein was serving a prison sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution — for much of his sentence, Epstein was allowed to work from his office during the day and return to prison at night.
In December 2024, Lord Mandelson was appointed as the UK ambassador to the US, but was dismissed less than a year later when it emerged that he had sent messages to Epstein supporting his actions after the conviction.
Mandelson has repeatedly stated that he regrets his past friendship with Epstein. He said he never witnessed any wrongdoing during his interactions with Epstein and "believed his lies".
Trump Mentioned Hundreds of Times
In the newly published documents, U.S. President Donald Trump is mentioned hundreds of times.
Trump was friends with Epstein, but, according to him, their friendship ended many years ago, and the U.S. President denies any knowledge of his sexual crimes.
Among the new documents is a list of accusations made last year via the National Threat Center hotline. Many of these accusations, apparently, are based on unverified reports and were made without corroborating evidence.
The list includes numerous allegations of sexual assault made against Trump, Epstein, and other high-ranking individuals.
Trump consistently denies any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and is not accused of any crimes by Epstein's victims.
When asked about the latest allegations, the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice referred to a press release accompanying the new batch of documents, which stated: “Some of the documents contain false and sensational allegations against President Trump that were provided to the FBI immediately before the 2020 election.”
“To be clear, these allegations are unsubstantiated and false, and had there been even a shred of credibility to them, they would have long since been used against President Trump,” the statement emphasized.
What Gates Replied
A representative for Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates responded to the scandalous allegations contained in the latest Epstein case materials, including a claim of contracting a venereal disease, calling them "absolutely absurd and completely false".
Two emails dated July 18, 2013, were apparently written by Epstein, but it is unclear if they were ever sent specifically to Gates. Both emails were sent from Epstein's inbox and returned to the same address. The mailbox associated with Gates is not visible, and both emails are unsigned.
One email is written as a resignation letter from the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation" and expresses regret that Gates had to acquire medication "to deal with the consequences of sex with Russian girls".
Another email, beginning with the words "Dear Bill," contains complaints that Gates ended their friendship, and further allegations that Gates tried to conceal a venereal disease infection, including from his wife.
A Gates representative told the BBC: "These allegations — from a known disgruntled liar — are absolutely absurd and completely false." He added: "The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration over the lack of a continued relationship with Gates and what he was willing to do to try and frame and defame his reputation."
Are All Epstein Files Now Published?
It is unclear if this marks the end of the saga of document disclosure from the Epstein case.
Deputy Attorney General Blanche stated that the publication "marks the completion of a very comprehensive process of identifying and verifying documents," as if signaling that the work is finished for the Department of Justice.
However, Democrats continue to argue that the department withheld too many documents — possibly around 2.5 million files — without proper justification.
Congressman Ro Khanna, who, along with Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, initiated the Epstein Files Transparency Act, stated that he is wary.
“The Department of Justice stated that it identified over 6 million potentially relevant pages, but after review and redaction, is only publishing about 3.5 million,” Khanna stated. “I will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that they publish what I fought for.”
The Department of Justice had been under scrutiny after missing the December 19 deadline to publish all files, as required by the Epstein document files law.
Many of the documents published on Friday contain significant redactions. The law allows for redactions only to protect victims or the secrecy of an investigation. It also mandates providing a brief summary of the redactions made and their legal justification.
Blanche stated that the redaction of documents was aimed at protecting victims, and hundreds of department employees spent over two months reviewing these documents to ensure their fastest possible publication.
Many, including among Trump supporters, had long believed there was a conspiracy to protect wealthy and influential individuals connected to Epstein.
Blanche acknowledged that the publication of these documents would not satisfy the need for additional information. He said that the files do not contain the names of specific men who committed violence against women, and that if the department had those names, those men would be held accountable.
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