The Justice Department released its largest trove yet, detailing Epstein’s ties to powerful figures — and signaling this may be the final disclosure.
The Department of Justice on Friday released its largest batch of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, unveiling roughly three million additional pages of documents, along with 2,000 videos and about 180,000 images.
Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, said the release was likely the last major disclosure connected to Epstein. The trove includes emails, text messages, investigative reports and media clippings, some of which shed new light on Epstein’s relationships with prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Congress mandated the release last November, and Donald Trump signed the bill into law after initially opposing it. The documents were released weeks after a Dec. 19 deadline imposed by lawmakers.
Mr. Blanche emphasized that the White House had no role in reviewing or redacting the materials. “They had no oversight,” he said, adding that the Justice Department alone determined what to release.
A massive but incomplete release
Federal prosecutors initially identified about six million pages as potentially responsive to the law. Ultimately, officials decided to release only half, saying the initial pool reflected “over-collection.” Some Democratic lawmakers criticized the decision and accused the department of violating the statute by withholding documents.
Images of women mentioned in the files were redacted, except for those of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who was convicted of sex trafficking.
Unverified allegations and references to Trump
The documents include roughly 4,500 references to Mr. Trump, including a summary prepared by the F.B.I. last summer compiling unverified tips submitted by the public. The Justice Department cautioned that the materials may include false or fabricated claims, and The New York Times is not publishing details of uncorroborated allegations.
Mr. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. The White House pointed to a Justice Department statement warning that some submissions may have been politically motivated or inaccurate.
New details about powerful connections
Some files offer additional insight into Epstein’s relationships with influential figures. Drafted notes and emails suggest Epstein made claims about Mr. Gates’s personal life, which the Gates Foundation dismissed as “absolutely absurd and completely false.” Other emails show Epstein coordinating potential meetings with Mr. Musk between 2012 and 2014.
The documents also indicate that Mr. Lutnick planned a visit to Epstein’s private island in 2012, despite previously saying he had cut ties with Epstein years earlier. Mr. Lutnick said he had not yet reviewed the newly released materials.
Likely the final chapter
Mr. Blanche said that even this massive release would not satisfy public demand for answers about Epstein. The department is still required to submit a report to Congress explaining its redactions, which include victims’ personal information, medical records and material involving child sexual abuse.
That report has not yet been delivered, but officials said it would be submitted in the coming weeks.
