By Hannah Parry, Amanda Castro, and Anna Commander
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President Donald Trump says he lamented the release of multiple photos of former President Bill Clinton in the Jeffrey Epstein files during a news conference on Monday, calling it "terrible."
"I hate to see photos come out of him," Trump said, referring to Clinton. "But this is what the Democrats ... and a couple of bad Republicans are asking for." Trump added that Clinton was a "big boy" who can "handle it" and that there were other "innocent" people who met Epstein "many years ago" before crimes of the sex offender and disgraced financier came to light.
"A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released which have got nothing to do with Epstein," the president said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) faces mounting criticism after releasing only a portion of its trove of documents tied to Epstein. The limited disclosure, mandated under the recently signed Epstein Files Transparency Act, has sparked accusations of secrecy and selective release, with Clinton’s spokesperson and bipartisan lawmakers pressing for full transparency.
What To Know:
- The DOJ released thousands of files on Friday but withheld additional records, citing victim privacy and ongoing investigations.
- Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña called for all documents related to the former president to be made public, warning against “selective releases” that imply wrongdoing.
- Photos of Clinton with Ghislaine Maxwell were included in the release, though many faces were redacted.
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche insisted there is “no effort to hold anything back” due to political names, including Trump's.
- Lawmakers from both parties accused the administration of flouting the law’s intent, though the act carries no clear penalty for delays.
- The DOJ temporarily removed some files, including one featuring Trump, citing victim concerns, but pledged to reinstate them after review.
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Dec 22, 2025 at 11:25 PM EST
Scott Jennings ripped into Democrats "Christmas wish" on Monday saying that after the DOJ's release of documents "ended up being the 'Clinton Files,' Dems are now pivoting to 'Trump is senile' to cope with their party's 18% approval."
On X, the former George W. Bush adviser, continued saying, "This may be their Christmas wish, but it's not reality. President Trump is as sharp as ever & the undisputed leader of the GOP."
Dec 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM EST
Massie rips Trump for defending “banker friends”
Massie took to X on Monday night reacting to Trump's earlier dig at the congressman.
Trump called Massie "a loser" to reporters during a news conference on Monday and the Kentucky lawmaker hit back on X saying, "Trump is blaming me for a bill he eventually signed, while defending his banker friends, Bill Clinton, and 'innocent' visitors to rape island. Meanwhile Bondi is working fervently to redact, omit, and delete Epstein files she is legally required to release under our bill."
Dec 22, 2025 at 09:01 PM EST
Senator Booker says Americans “deserve the truth” about Epstein
Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey took to X on Monday posting a video of himself saying that Americans deserve transparency and additional details about Epstein.
"This still stands. The American people deserve the truth about the crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein," the post says.
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:59 PM EST
DOJ denies cover-up as Epstein file release sparks political storm
The Justice Department is rejecting accusations of a cover‑up after releasing only a portion of its vast trove of Jeffrey Epstein files. This move has triggered bipartisan criticism and intensified political tensions around President Donald Trump.
Officials say the partial disclosure, which included heavily redacted documents and references to both Bill Clinton and Trump, was necessary to protect the identities of more than 1,200 victims or relatives. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the department’s approach, insisting that “not a single piece of paper” containing victim information would be released.
Lawmakers, however, argue the DOJ is flouting the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Rep. Thomas Massie warned the administration was ignoring both the “spirit and letter of the law.” At the same time, Rep. Ro Khanna threatened contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi if full compliance is not achieved. Rep. Jamie Raskin added that the department’s motives “could not be trusted,” accusing officials of shielding Trump and his allies.
The controversy has deepened divisions within the Republican Party and fueled suspicions among survivors and critics that the government is withholding critical evidence. With hundreds of thousands of pages still unreleased, the dispute is expected to remain a flashpoint heading into the new year.
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:35 PM EST
WATCH: Video from Epstein’s private island
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:09 PM EST
Judge reprimands Ghislaine Maxwell for including victim names in court papers
A judge reprimanded Ghislaine Maxwell, the co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, on Monday for including the confidential names of victims in her petition to set aside her 2021 sex trafficking conviction.
Judge Paul A. Engelmayer said that Maxwell’s habeas petition — which she filed on her own, without a lawyer — will be kept under seal and out of public view “until they have been reviewed and appropriately redacted to protect the identities of victims.”
Future papers filed by Maxwell must be submitted under seal, the judge said, adding that he “reminds Maxwell, in strong terms, that she is prohibited from including in any public filings any information identifying victim(s) who were not publicly identified by name during her trial.”
AP has reached out to Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, for comment.
Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein sexually abuse teenagers, filed the petition last Wednesday. It claims that exonerating evidence was withheld while a false testimony was presented to the jury.
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:03 PM EST
Epstein document dump raises transparency concerns
The Justice Department’s December 19 release of thousands of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein has drawn widespread criticism for being heavily redacted and incomplete. While the files offered little new insight into Epstein’s crimes, they did include numerous photographs of public figures.
Much of the material had already been made public through lawsuits and prior investigations, including filings from Epstein’s criminal cases and Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal. One new document was a 1996 FBI complaint from Maria Farmer, who alleged Epstein stole photos of her underage sisters. Farmer said the release validated her claims that authorities failed to act decades earlier.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged that the release fell short of the law’s mandate, saying that hundreds of thousands of pages remain under review to protect victims' identities—lawmakers, including Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie criticized the DOJ for excessive redactions and missing names.
The files contained only limited references to President Donald Trump, while former President Bill Clinton appeared in multiple photographs with Epstein and Maxwell. Other images showed celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Kevin Spacey. Officials stressed that none of the photos suggest wrongdoing by those pictured.
Critics argue the DOJ must provide a clear timeline for releasing the remaining records to meet the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Dec 22, 2025 at 06:43 PM EST
Trump says ‘people are very angry’ the Epstein files are being released
President Donald Trump said on Monday that "a lot of people a very angry" that the Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein are being released.
Speaking at the White House, Trump claimed that the Epstein files were the Democrats trying to find a way "to deflect from the tremendous success of the Republican Party."
Dec 22, 2025 at 06:36 PM EST
How many pages were entirely redacted in the Epstein Files release?
The Department of Justice is facing sharp criticism over the level of redactions in the Epstein files released on December 19. Fox News reported that the DOJ withheld names of “politically exposed individuals and government officials,” a claim disputed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
In a letter obtained by Fox News, Blanche said roughly 1,200 names of victims or their relatives were redacted to protect privacy before the files were made public.
CBS News noted that of the 3,900 documents released, at least 550 pages were entirely blacked out. Lawmakers, including Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Chuck Schumer, highlighted a 119‑page grand jury file from New York that was wholly redacted, calling the disclosure inadequate and raising concerns about transparency.
Dec 22, 2025 at 06:14 PM EST
Schumer moves to hold DOJ accountable over Epstein files
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation Monday that would direct the Senate to pursue legal action against the Justice Department for failing to fully release Jeffrey Epstein’s files by the deadline set under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Schumer’s move follows bipartisan frustration after the DOJ disclosed only part of the trove of records last week, citing victim privacy and ongoing investigations. The senator called the partial release a “blatant cover-up,” accusing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche of shielding former President Trump.
The announcement came a day after Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie said they would pursue charges of inherent contempt against Bondi. This rarely used congressional power could lead to fines or even arrest until compliance is met.
Dec 22, 2025 at 06:05 PM EST
Donald Trump says he ‘hates’ to see Bill Clinton photos in Epstein files
President Donald Trump lamented the release of the multiple photos of Bill Clinton in the Jeffrey Epstein files during a press conference on Monday, calling it "terrible."
"I hate to see photos come out of him," Trump said, referring to Clinton. "But this what the Democrats... and a couple of bad Republicans are asking for." Trump added that he didn't like the photos of Clinton being released, but said that the former president was a "big boy" who can "handle it."
However, he claimed there were other "innocent" individuals who met Epstein "many years ago" before his crimes came to light. "A lot of ppl are very angry that pictures are being released which have got nothing to do with Epstein," Trump added.
The president also pointed to Larry Summers who was forced to resign as Harvard President after photos of him with Epstein emerged.
Dec 22, 2025 at 05:49 PM EST
Epstein survivors blast DOJ over delayed file release
More than a dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are condemning the Justice Department for failing to meet a legal deadline to release all unclassified documents tied to the disgraced financier. In an open letter, 18 survivors accused the department of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required full disclosure by Dec. 19.
The group said the DOJ released only a fraction of the records, with “abnormal and extreme redactions” and some victim identities left exposed. They noted that financial documents were withheld and grand jury minutes—approved for release by a judge—were completely blacked out. Survivors argued the omissions caused “real and immediate harm” and demanded congressional oversight.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the department’s approach, saying redactions were necessary to protect victims and ongoing investigations. He insisted the DOJ had communicated with survivors and removed certain photos flagged by victims’ groups. Survivors, however, disputed that claim, saying they had received no outreach.
Lawmakers, including Sen. Dick Durbin and Reps. Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin have pledged to examine legal options to force compliance, signaling that congressional hearings and further scrutiny may follow.
Dec 22, 2025 at 05:23 PM EST
Clinton spokesman presses DOJ for full Epstein file release
A spokesperson for former President Bill Clinton is urging the Department of Justice to release all remaining materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, following last week’s partial disclosure of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Angel Ureña, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said the public “demands and deserves” a complete record, echoing bipartisan criticism from Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who co-sponsored the law. Both lawmakers have faulted the DOJ for withholding files and redacting names.
The initial release included several photos of Clinton, though the former president has not been accused of wrongdoing. Ureña emphasized that Clinton cut ties with Epstein before his crimes became public.
The controversy comes as House Oversight Chair James Comer pushes for depositions from both Bill and Hillary Clinton as part of the committee’s probe into Epstein. The DOJ has defended its redactions as necessary to protect victims and ongoing investigations, but critics argue the selective release raises questions about transparency.
Dec 22, 2025 at 05:14 PM EST
Gov. Newsom taunts Bondi over Epstein files
California Governor Gavin Newsom taunted Attorney General Pam Bondi on X over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Newsom was responding to a post from the U.S. Department of Justice following the redaction of some documents and images from the files, including a photo of Donald Trump.
The DOJ stated that photos and other details "will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information."
"Sure, Pam," Newsom's office responded with a suspicious emoji and a photo of Trump and Melania, with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Dec 22, 2025 at 05:10 PM EST
IN PICTURES: Bill Clinton appears in dozens of images in Epstein files – including one of him sitting in a hot tub
Former President Bill Clinton appears in dozens of images in the Epstein files - including him in a hot tub, and swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell in a pool.
The Democrat also appeared in numerous images with other celebrities, including Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and Kevin Spacey.
Some of the images show Clinton on a private jet, although it's not clear who owns the plane.
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Dec 22, 2025 at 04:58 PM EST
Bill Clinton sends new message to Donald Trump over Epstein files
A spokesperson for former President Bill Clinton released a statement on Monday urging President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all materials and images of Clinton in connection to the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
In a statement released by Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña on X Monday, Ureña said in part: "The Epstein Files Transparency Act imposes a clear legal duty on the U.S. Department of Justice to produce the full and complete record the public demands and deserves.
“However, what the Department of Justice has released so far, and the manner in which it did so, makes one thing clear: someone or something is being protected. We do not know whom, what or why. But we do know this: We need no such protection.”
Read in full: Bill Clinton Sends New Message to Donald Trump Over Epstein Files
Dec 22, 2025 at 04:42 PM EST
Epstein files released: 5 things to know about massive disclosure
Hundreds of thousands of files were released on Friday, and the DOJ said more would be released in the coming weeks. The Justice Department posted the photographs, documents, and logs in an “Epstein Library” on its website.
The site was quickly overwhelmed by traffic, prompting notices limiting users to 10-minute viewing periods and causing glitches with access and time logs.
Here’s what to know about the release:
- Four data sets of information were uploaded onto the site Friday
- The files include court documents, photographs, grand jury testimony and interview transcripts, including those related to his longtime confidant, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, according to the Associated Press.
- The files include video clips from inside Metropolitan Correctional Center, where Epstein was held, on the day of his death. He died by suicide, but there are many conspiracies about his death.
- Several photos of former President Bill Clinton are included in the files release, according to the Associated Press.
- Axios reported some of the documents have mass redactions, including a blacked-out document labelled "Masseuse List," which includes more than 250 masseuses.
Above all four data sets, the website includes a privacy notice that states, "In view of the Congressional deadline, all reasonable efforts have been made to review and redact personal information pertaining to victims, other private individuals, and protect sensitive materials from disclosure. That said, because of the volume of information involved, this website may nevertheless contain information that inadvertently includes non-public personally identifiable information or other sensitive content, to include matters of a sexual nature."
Attorney General Pam Bondi was tasked with overseeing the disclosure. Over the past year, tens of thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents have been made public, mainly through the House Oversight Committee’s subpoenas to the Justice Department and Epstein’s estate. The releases have offered glimpses into Epstein’s network and activities, though many materials have been heavily redacted. On Thursday, Democrats released 68 photos obtained from his estate.
Dec 22, 2025 at 04:12 PM EST
When were the first batch of DOJ Epstein files released?
The files were made public on the website just around 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
Earlier Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox & Friends, "There’s a lot of eyes looking at these, and we want to make sure that when we do produce the materials we are producing, that we are protecting every single victim."
Dec 22, 2025 at 04:01 PM EST
Rep. Garcia says DOJ ‘openly defying the law’ over Epstein files release
Top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, warned that the Justice Department is "openly defying the law" after it refused to release all its files connected to Jeffrey Epstein by the December 19 deadline.
"The Trump Administration claims to be transparent yet failed to release the full Epstein files by the deadline imposed by Congress," Garcia said on Monday.
"The DOJ is openly defying the law, and they will be held accountable."
Dec 22, 2025 at 03:46 PM EST
Schiff calls on Bondi to testify before Congress on why some files weren’t released by legal deadline
Senator Adam Schiff has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify before Congress to explain why the Justice Department did not meet the deadline to release all the Epstein files.
The December 19 deadline was set by a law passed by Congress in November and signed by President Trump.
But when Friday arrived, the DOJ only released some of the files, promising to release the rest withing the coming weeks.
“They promised to release the files. They haven’t done it,” Democrat Schiff, a member of the Judiciary committee, said Friday.
“They could have been completely ready for this moment, and they’re not, or they’re just simply willfully withholding the materials.”
Dec 22, 2025 at 03:27 PM EST
WATCH: What we know on DOJ’s Epstein file release
Dec 22, 2025 at 03:07 PM EST
Majority of people think DOJ has not been transparent over Epstein files, according to new poll from Republican
A poll, conducted on X by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, showed that the vast majority of respondents, 97 percent, believed that the Department of Justice "is not transparent" over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"The results are in: nobody is buying this bogus Epstein release. The DOJ needs to quit protecting the rich, powerful, and politically connected," he said in a post.
Dec 22, 2025 at 02:52 PM EST
List of celebrities mentioned in new Jeffrey Epstein files
Every release of documents and photos related to Jeffrey Epstein has featured celebrities, and Friday's massive release is no different, with several celebrities being mentioned.
On Friday, the Department of Justice began releasing hundreds of thousands of files linked to Epstein, the financier whose connections with prominent individuals and criminal activities led to multiple federal probes and global headlines. The initial tranche includes emails, photographs, flight logs, and estate records. The law requires public disclosure of all unclassified Epstein-related records, with redactions for victims' identities and material tied to ongoing investigations.
It should be noted that individuals named in the documents are not necessarily accused of wrongdoing. The files contain correspondence, travel logs, and social interactions, much of which has already been referenced in previous investigations or court proceedings. Many of those revealed as Epstein's associates have denied any knowledge or participation in his criminal activities.
Among the public figures and celebrities named in the documents or visible in photographs are:
- Former President Bill Clinton
- Kevin Spacey
- Michael Jackson
- Diana Ross
- Comedian Chris Tucker
- Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger
- Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of former Prince Andrew
- Richard Branson
Dec 22, 2025 at 02:35 PM EST
Epstein files include 1996 child porn complaint that the FBI never publicly acknowledged
The Justice Department's Epstein files included a 1996 complaint to the F.B.I. about Jeffrey Epstein's alleged interest in “child pornography."
The report, which redacts the name, described the woman as an artist who was hired by Epstein to acquire art on his behalf.
She described how she had taken photos, including nude images, of her younger sisters, aged 12 and 16, for her artwork. “Epstein stole the photos and negatives,” the F.B.I. report states.
She claimed that Epstein had also asked the artist to take photos of young girls at swimming pools - threatening to “burn her house down” if she told anyone.
The New York Times has confirmed on Friday that the artist who made the complaint was Maria Farmer. She told the paper that she did not hear from the F.B.I. until a decade after she made the initial complaint, when a criminal investigation into Epstein ended in his 2008 plea deal.
Farmer she left Epstein's employ after she alleged that he and Ghislaine Maxwell sexually assaulted her. It was only then she realized the nude photos of her sisters were missing.
Dec 22, 2025 at 02:21 PM EST
What was Jeffrey Epstein’s net worth at the peak of his career?
Jeffrey Epstein's net worth stood at over half a billion dollars before his death, according to court documents.
Lawyers for Epstein disclosed information about his financial standing during his 2019 criminal proceedings.
The 2019 financial disclosure, filed by Epstein's lawyers, showed his total assets were $559,120,954. His total cash was listed as $56,547,773. His fixed income was $14,304,679, and his equities $112,679,138. He had $194,986,301 in hedge funds and private equity.
He also owned multiple multimillion-dollar properties.
Dec 22, 2025 at 02:16 PM EST
How did Jeffrey Epstein make his money
Epstein began working at investment bank Bear Stearns as a junior assistant to a floor trader in 1976. He later became an options trader and adviser to some of the bank's wealthiest clients.
Epstein became a limited partner in 1980 but was asked to leave the company a year later. He founded a consulting firm called Intercontinental Assets Group Inc. (IAG) and a financial management firm called J. Epstein & Company.
He also worked as a consultant for the collection agency Towers Financial Corporation.
Epstein also invested in hedge funds and owned property in New York, Florida, New Mexico, France and the Virgin Islands.
Dec 22, 2025 at 01:56 PM EST
‘So much abuse could have been prevented’: Democrat lawmaker slams FBI for ‘ignoring’ 1996 child porn complaint
Rep. Ro Khanna has slammed the FBI for "ignoring" a 1996 complaint about Jeffrey Epstein and child porn in 1996 - after the document came to light in Friday's Epstein files release.
"So much abuse could have been prevented," Khanna wrote on X, after sharing a post with a New York Times article about the complaint.
The Times has confirmed on Friday that the artist who made the complaint was Maria Farmer. She told the paper that she did not hear from the F.B.I. until a decade after she made the initial complaint, when a criminal investigation into Epstein ended in his 2008 plea deal.
Dec 22, 2025 at 01:45 PM EST
How did Jeffrey Epstein die?
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019, inside his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, where he was being held on federal sex-trafficking charges. Epstein, a wealthy financier with powerful political and social connections, had been arrested weeks earlier and was awaiting trial that threatened to expose a wide network of alleged accomplices.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Epstein’s death a suicide by hanging. Authorities said he was discovered unresponsive in the early morning hours and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The ruling followed an autopsy and has remained the official determination.
Almost immediately, the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death drew intense scrutiny. Despite earlier concerns about his mental state, Epstein was not on suicide watch at the time. He was housed alone after his cellmate was transferred, and guards failed to conduct required checks during the night. The guards were later charged with falsifying their records to look like they had carried out those checks.
Questions deepened when it was revealed that surveillance cameras outside Epstein’s cell malfunctioned that night, leaving no video evidence of his final hours. A Justice Department investigation later concluded that chronic staffing shortages and operational failures at the jail contributed to a breakdown in basic safety procedures.
While some medical experts cited Epstein’s neck injuries as unusual, the medical examiner maintained they were consistent with suicide, particularly in older individuals. No evidence of homicide was found, and no alternative cause of death has been supported by official investigations.
Epstein’s death continues to fuel public suspicion, largely because of the extraordinary lapses at the jail and the high-profile nature of his case.
Dec 22, 2025 at 01:41 PM EST
Timeline of DOJ Epstein releases
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released the first of its multi-part series of data sets and investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act in December.
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December 19, 2025 (Primary Tranches):
- 3:00 p.m. ET: The DOJ released the first massive tranche of materials.
- 7:00 p.m. ET: A second batch was added, including roughly 120 photos of FBI evidence boxes, hard drives, and old CDs.
- Midnight ET: Two more data sets (Data Sets 6 and 7) dropped just before the deadline, containing grand jury testimony, indictments from the U.S. v. Maxwell case, and property photos.
- Total for Dec 19: The DOJ released between 3,900 and 4,055 files totaling roughly 3 GB of data, organized into seven distinct data sets.
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December 20: Additional files were released, including grand jury transcripts with identities of prosecutors and FBI agents.
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December 21: The DOJ rereleased a 119-page grand jury document with "minimal redactions" after it had been released entirely blacked out on Friday
Dec 22, 2025 at 01:27 PM EST
Bill Clinton responds to Epstein files swimming pool photos
A spokesman for Bill Clinton has responded to the latest Epstein Files release, accusing Donald Trump of scapegoating the former Democratic President.
Newsweek has reached out to the Clinton Foundation via a contact form on its website for comment.
Clinton appears prominently in a batch of undated and heavily redacted photographs, including images of him at a swimming pool alongside Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The files do not include contextual information, dates, or background details for the photographs and do not explicitly link Clinton, or other individuals pictured, to criminal conduct.
Clinton’s chief of staff, Angel Ureña, issued a statement addressing the former president’s appearance in the files.
He said: "This is not about Bill Clinton. Even [White House chief of staff] Susie Wiles said Donald Trump was wrong about Bill Clinton."
He added: "Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats."
The Justice Department stated it found no evidence to predicate further investigations against uncharged public figures, including Clinton, and noted the extensive use of redactions to protect victims’ privacy.
Dec 22, 2025 at 01:12 PM EST
More than 550 pages in Epstein files were fully redacted
At least 550 pages of the documents released over the weekend by the Department of Justice, were fully redacted, and covered by black rectangles.
It is unclear what documents the redactions were covering.
The DOJ has said that it made redactions in the Epstein files to protect minors and victims. However, Democrats have criticized the heavily redacted files which they say violate the Epstein transparency law.
Dec 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM EST
Where was Epstein island located?
Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, was situated in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a short distance southeast of St. Thomas in the Caribbean Sea.
The 70-acre island, long shielded from public view by tight security and limited access, became widely known after federal investigations detailed how Epstein used the secluded property while facing allegations of sex trafficking.
He later purchased a second nearby island, Great Saint James, but it was Little Saint James—sometimes referred to as “Epstein Island”—that figured most prominently in the public scrutiny surrounding his activities.
Dec 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM EST
Democrat says photos show people ‘engaged in sexual acts’
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat member on the House Oversight Committee, said recently that some of the 95,000 images received from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein show people "engaged in sexual acts."
Subramanyam told CNN that there were "a lot of people involved in some of these acts" but he said it was too soon to be able to say who is who.
Dec 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM EST
WATCH: Pam Bondi says ‘new information’ triggered new Epstein investigation
Dec 22, 2025 at 12:15 PM EST
DOJ official addresses files taken down from Epstein release
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the heavy backlash and criticism from lawmakers and the public over the way the administration and Department of Justice (DOJ) handled the release of the Epstein files on Friday.
Much attention has centered on a photo that appeared to contain a photo of a desk with several photos on it, including one of President Donald Trump. This photo, document 468, was subsequently removed following its initial publication.
During an interview appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press, Blanche explained that the photo was taken down in response to concerns that another photo on the desk contained unredacted faces of victims, stressing that DOJ is "in every way complying with the statute."
"If we believed that that photograph contained a survivor, we wouldn't have put it up in the first place without redacting the faces," Blanche told host Kristen Welker. "But notwithstanding what we believe, we don't have perfect information. When we hear from victims' rights groups about this type of photograph, we pull it down and investigate. We're still investigating that photo. The photo will go back up."
Dec 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM EST
Lawmakers press DOJ ahead of next Epstein file release
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Monday that he expects another batch of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein to be released this afternoon, and outlined what he and survivors want disclosed.
Khanna, joined by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), called for the release of four key sets of records: FBI witness interviews naming other men, emails seized from Epstein’s computer, a 60-count draft indictment, and an 82-page prosecution memo.
“The DOJ must stop protecting rich & powerful men who were not charged or those who sabotaged the prosecution,” Khanna wrote on social media.
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:47 AM EST
Why were the files released now?
The Justice Department has begun releasing records tied to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed by President Trump in November. The measure requires the attorney general to disclose nearly all documents related to Epstein, Maxwell, and the government’s investigations within 30 days.
The legislation followed years of pressure from survivors who demanded accountability and transparency. Epstein’s death in federal custody in 2019 fueled conspiracy theories about his ties to powerful figures, intensifying calls for disclosure. A Justice Department review earlier this year concluded there was no “client list” or evidence of blackmail, a finding that angered many supporters of full release and helped drive bipartisan support for the law.
Rep. Ro Khanna of California sponsored the bill, with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky filing a petition to force a vote. After delays tied to a government shutdown, the measure passed the House 427–1 and cleared the Senate unanimously.
Following the law’s passage, judges approved DOJ requests to unseal grand jury transcripts from past investigations. These include proceedings in South Florida in 2005 and 2007, which ended with Epstein’s controversial plea deal, and cases in New York from 2019 and 2020 that charged Epstein and Maxwell with sex trafficking.
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM EST
Pam Bondi’s approval rating collapses by 47 points
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's approval rating has declined by 47 points in 10 months, recent polls show.
According to polling by AtlasIntel, the proportion of people who approve of Bondi has dropped from net +6 percentage points in February to net -41 in December.
The latest survey was conducted in the week before Bondi's Department of Justice (DOJ) released redacted files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Newsweek reached out to the DOJ by email outside of normal business hours for comment.
Read in full: Pam Bondi’s Approval Rating Collapses by 47 Points
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:33 AM EST
How to access the Epstein files
The Justice Department has begun releasing thousands of documents and photographs tied to investigations of Jeffrey Epstein, following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law, signed in November, requires the government to make nearly all Epstein-related records public within 30 days.
The first batch of files was posted on the Justice Department’s website, organized into multiple data sets. Many of the materials are photographs, including images from Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Others are investigative documents, though many contain heavy redactions to protect victims’ identities.
Additional files are expected to be released in the coming weeks, despite criticism from lawmakers that the DOJ missed its statutory deadline.
Under the law, redactions are permitted only in limited circumstances, such as removing survivors’ personal information, violent imagery, or material that could jeopardize ongoing investigations. Records cannot be withheld simply to avoid embarrassment or political fallout.
For now, the most direct way to access the Epstein files is through the Justice Department’s official website, where the documents are being published in stages.
Otherwise, find them here:
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM EST
What did Jeffrey Epstein do for a living?
Fresh financial records and photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate are renewing scrutiny of how the disgraced financier built his fortune and cultivated ties with influential figures. The House Oversight Committee’s latest release includes images of public personalities such as Bill Gates, Larry Summers, Woody Allen, and Steve Bannon, though none are implicated in Epstein’s crimes.
Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges, left behind an estate valued at roughly $560 million. His assets included a Manhattan townhouse worth more than $50 million, a Palm Beach mansion, a New Mexico ranch, a Paris apartment, and two private Caribbean islands, which were later sold for $60 million.
Epstein’s financial dealings stretched across major institutions. He was a longtime client of JPMorgan Chase before moving his accounts to Deutsche Bank, both of which later paid multimillion-dollar settlements over their ties to him. He also managed money for billionaires, including Les Wexner and Leon Black, earning hundreds of millions in fees.
Raised in Brooklyn and briefly a math teacher at New York’s Dalton School, Epstein leveraged connections to enter finance, eventually becoming a money manager to the ultra-wealthy. His network extended into politics, business, and entertainment, fueling ongoing questions about the scope of his influence.
Congress has mandated the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related records within 30 days, ensuring further disclosures in the weeks ahead.
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:27 AM EST
Another DOJ Epstein file release expected later today: Khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat member of the House Oversight Committee, said that the Justice Department are expected to release a new batch of files on Jeffrey Epstein on Monday afternoon.
"We hear there will be another DOJ Epstein release this afternoon," he wrote on X.
Khanna, who co-sponsored a bill with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie to force the DOJ to release the files, said that he, Massie and the victims, wanted to see several things in the new batch.
They included FBI witness interviews that named men, Epstein's emails seized from his computer, the 60-count draft indictment and the 82-page prosecution memo.
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:24 AM EST
Bill Clinton, Jeffrey Epstein relationship explained
Former President Bill Clinton’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein is back in the spotlight following the Justice Department’s release of new files. Flight logs show Clinton took multiple trips aboard Epstein’s private jet in 2002 and 2003, including stops in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, was listed as a passenger on each of those journeys.
Clinton’s representatives have long maintained that the trips were tied to humanitarian work through the Clinton Foundation and that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. They say Clinton cut off contact with Epstein in 2005, before the financier came under investigation in Florida.
Speculation about Clinton’s ties to Epstein has persisted for years, fueled by claims from Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she met Clinton on Epstein’s private island. Clinton and Maxwell both denied the allegation, and no evidence has surfaced in flight records to support it. Epstein himself also rejected the claim in correspondence later made public.
Congressional Republicans have signaled interest in questioning both Bill and Hillary Clinton as part of a broader probe into Epstein’s network. While Clinton’s name appears in flight logs and photographs, no survivor or associate has accused him of wrongdoing.
The renewed focus comes as lawmakers press the Justice Department to fully release Epstein’s files, with both parties demanding transparency about the financier’s connections to powerful figures.
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM EST
Chris Tucker ties to Epstein explained
A 2021 interview with comedian Chris Tucker has resurfaced following the Justice Department’s release of new Epstein files, which included photographs of Tucker alongside former President Bill Clinton. The renewed attention has sparked public scrutiny of figures linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In the Zoom interview, Tucker acknowledged meeting Epstein during what he described as a humanitarian trip to Africa with Clinton and other dignitaries. He explained that Epstein’s involvement was limited to providing the plane used for travel. “I met him on that trip because it was his plane,” Tucker said, adding that he did not know the aircraft belonged to Epstein at the time.
Tucker emphasized that his contact with Epstein was confined to that trip and denied any deeper association. Asked whether he had ever visited Epstein’s private island, Tucker laughed and replied, “No, no, no… I don’t know where that thing at.” He also stressed that he did not know about Epstein’s private conduct.
The resurfaced remarks gained traction after images from the files showed Tucker near Clinton. However, his statements remain consistent with his long-standing position that his interaction with Epstein was brief and incidental.
Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019, maintained ties with prominent figures across politics, entertainment, and business. The latest document release has reignited examination of those connections, even in cases where no wrongdoing has been alleged. Tucker has not issued new comments since the interview reappeared.
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM EST
Why are the Epstein files redacted?
The Justice Department faced criticism after releasing the first batch of Jeffrey Epstein files, which many victims and advocates described as heavily redacted and lacking new revelations. Lawmakers also accused the department of missing a congressional deadline requiring all materials to be made public within 30 days.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the redactions, saying the process was necessary to protect victims’ identities. He noted that the files span roughly a million pages, most of which contain sensitive information. “Virtually all of them contain victim information,” Blanche said, adding that hundreds of lawyers are reviewing each document to ensure compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The department briefly removed several photographs from its website, including one showing a credenza with pictures of Donald Trump, after victim advocacy groups raised concerns. Officials later restored the image, confirming no victims were depicted. Blanche stressed that mentions of Trump or other public figures are not being redacted and that the review is focused solely on safeguarding victims.
Despite the precautions, lawmakers such as Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Dick Durbin criticized the Justice Department for failing to release the full set of files on time. They argued that the extensive redactions and delays undermine the transparency Congress intended.
For now, the Justice Department says more documents will be released in the coming weeks, with the redaction process continuing to prioritize victim protection over speed.
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