What is the story about?
The US Justice Department on Friday released a substantial new collection of records linked to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender
Jeffrey Epstein, making public more than 3 million pages of documents along with over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said. The material is part of the latest disclosure related to the Epstein case.
The newly released documents include references to President Donald Trump and other well-known people including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and British billionaire Richard Branson.
The files list mentions of public figures but do not accuse them of wrongdoing.
Among the records is an FBI-compiled list of sexual assault allegations related to President Donald Trump, many involving anonymous callers and unverified tips. Some of the claims were secondhand and were sent to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, which receives information by phone and electronically.
The document indicates investigators followed up on several tips, with some judged to lack credibility. Trump has long denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
In a statement released with Friday’s disclosure, the Justice Department said, “Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false.”
A draft email included in the files shows Epstein alleging that Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs.
In the message, Epstein wrote that his relationship with Gates had ranged from “helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women.”
Documents indicate friendly exchanges between the two billionaires.
In an email dated September 11, 2013, Branson wrote to Epstein: “It was really nice seeing you yesterday. The boys in Watersports can’t stop speaking about it! Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!”
The files contain multiple email exchanges between Epstein and entrepreneur Elon Musk.
In November 2012, Epstein asked Musk in an email “how many people will you be for the heli to island.”
“Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” Musk replied.
Records show the former prince invited Epstein to visit him at Buckingham Palace in September 2010 during a London trip.
An email exchange shows Epstein asking Andrew: “What time would you like me… we will also need… private time.”
Andrew responded, “We could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy.”
Emails indicate that Epstein and businessman Lutnick, now Trump’s commerce secretary, discussed plans in December 2012 to have lunch on Epstein’s Caribbean island.
“We are heading towards you from St. Thomas,” Lutnick’s wife wrote to Epstein’s secretary while asking where they should anchor.
Several emails suggest Epstein introduced Steve Tisch, 76, producer of “Forrest Gump” and “Risky Business” and co-owner of the New York Giants football team, to multiple women.
In one exchange, Epstein described a woman to Tisch as “russian, and rarely tells the full truth, but fun.”
The newly released documents include references to President Donald Trump and other well-known people including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and British billionaire Richard Branson.
The files list mentions of public figures but do not accuse them of wrongdoing.
Donald Trump
Among the records is an FBI-compiled list of sexual assault allegations related to President Donald Trump, many involving anonymous callers and unverified tips. Some of the claims were secondhand and were sent to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, which receives information by phone and electronically.
The document indicates investigators followed up on several tips, with some judged to lack credibility. Trump has long denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
In a statement released with Friday’s disclosure, the Justice Department said, “Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false.”
Bill Gates
A draft email included in the files shows Epstein alleging that Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs.
In the message, Epstein wrote that his relationship with Gates had ranged from “helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women.”
Richard Branson
Documents indicate friendly exchanges between the two billionaires.
In an email dated September 11, 2013, Branson wrote to Epstein: “It was really nice seeing you yesterday. The boys in Watersports can’t stop speaking about it! Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!”
Elon Musk
The files contain multiple email exchanges between Epstein and entrepreneur Elon Musk.
In November 2012, Epstein asked Musk in an email “how many people will you be for the heli to island.”
“Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” Musk replied.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Records show the former prince invited Epstein to visit him at Buckingham Palace in September 2010 during a London trip.
An email exchange shows Epstein asking Andrew: “What time would you like me… we will also need… private time.”
Andrew responded, “We could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy.”
Howard Lutnick
Emails indicate that Epstein and businessman Lutnick, now Trump’s commerce secretary, discussed plans in December 2012 to have lunch on Epstein’s Caribbean island.
“We are heading towards you from St. Thomas,” Lutnick’s wife wrote to Epstein’s secretary while asking where they should anchor.
Steve Tisch
Several emails suggest Epstein introduced Steve Tisch, 76, producer of “Forrest Gump” and “Risky Business” and co-owner of the New York Giants football team, to multiple women.
In one exchange, Epstein described a woman to Tisch as “russian, and rarely tells the full truth, but fun.”
