The U.S. Justice Department’s release of millions of internal documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein has exposed the late financier’s ties to numerous well-known figures across politics, finance, academia and business, both before and after his 2008 guilty plea on prostitution charges that included soliciting an underage girl. Evidence from multiple legal and criminal proceedings has also illuminated aspects of those connections.
Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors; his death in a Manhattan jail cell that year was ruled a suicide. The Justice Department cautioned that the released material could contain doctored images, false allegations and pornographic content. Officials later removed several thousand documents that had inadvertently identified some victims. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the materials do not constitute proof of criminal sexual activity by everyone named in the files.
Highlights from the released material include:
Donald Trump
Trump socialized with Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s. A magazine profile quoted him saying Epstein liked women “on the younger side.” The files include photos of Trump with several women whose faces are redacted and a suggestive note framed by an outline of a naked woman that appears to bear his signature. Trial evidence from Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 proceedings showed Trump traveled on Epstein’s plane multiple times; Epstein wrote in an email that Trump “knew about the girls,” though the meaning is unclear. Trump denies knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, says he cut ties in the early 2000s, and disputes the authenticity of the note and claims he flew on Epstein’s plane.
Bill Clinton
Clinton socialized with Epstein and flew on his plane several times in the early 2000s after leaving office. DOJ-released photos show him in and around pools with women whose faces are redacted. Clinton has denied wrongdoing and expressed regret for his past association.
Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor)
The former Duke of York maintained a social relationship with Epstein and has since been stripped of royal duties because of that association. The DOJ sought his cooperation in investigations but was rebuffed. He settled a lawsuit by an Epstein accuser in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing. Files include multiple photos of him with women; he has denied sexual misconduct and said he never witnessed crimes.
Howard Lutnick
Emails show the former Cantor Fitzgerald CEO lunched on Epstein’s private island in 2012 and invited Epstein to a 2015 fundraiser — seeming to contradict Lutnick’s claim that he vowed never to be with Epstein after a 2005 incident in which Epstein made a sexually suggestive comment. A Commerce Department spokesperson said Lutnick had limited interactions and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Elon Musk
Musk inquired in 2012 whether Epstein had any island parties planned but appears not to have visited. Epstein’s reply warned that “the ratio on my island” might make Musk’s companion uncomfortable. Musk says he had few interactions with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to visit the island or fly on his plane.
Larry Summers
The former U.S. Treasury secretary and Harvard president flew on Epstein’s jet several times beginning in 1998 and met him about economic and business matters while at Harvard. Email exchanges show Summers consulting Epstein as late as 2019 about a romantic interest. No evidence has surfaced of criminal conduct by Summers, but the documents prompted him to step back from public roles in November, and he apologized for his actions.
Kevin Warsh
A 2010 email from a publicist to Epstein listed attendees of a Christmas gathering that included Warsh among 43 people. It is unclear whether Warsh knew Epstein or why he was included; no public comment has been recorded.
Melania Trump
A 2002 email from Melania Trump to Ghislaine Maxwell about a magazine piece on Epstein says, “You look great.”
Bill Gates
Documents indicate Bill Gates met repeatedly with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 prison term to discuss philanthropic initiatives. The files include photos of Gates with women whose faces are redacted. Gates has said the meetings were philanthropic in nature and that meeting Epstein was a mistake.
Jes Staley
The former JPMorgan and Barclays executive is listed as a participant in Epstein-hosted gatherings and exchanged about 1,200 emails with Epstein between 2008 and 2012, some referencing photographs of young women. Staley denies knowledge of Epstein’s crimes; he was later banned from the U.K. financial industry and has faced legal action from his former employer.
Peter Mandelson
The veteran British politician’s name appears more than 5,000 times in the files. U.K. police said they were reviewing reports of alleged misconduct after emails showed Mandelson calling Epstein “my best pal” and advising him on seeking early jail release. Mandelson has apologized to victims and denied wrongdoing.
Peter Attia
Wellness influencer Peter Attia’s name appears around 1,700 times in the documents. He said he met Epstein seven or eight times between 2014 and 2019 at Epstein’s New York home but never saw illegal activity or anyone who appeared to be underage.
The Justice Department’s disclosures have produced a trove of documents that map Epstein’s social and professional networks, but officials stress that inclusion in the files is not evidence of criminal conduct. Investigations and litigation tied to Epstein continue to unspool details about his relationships with many powerful figures.
