The US Department of Justice released another batch of files related to its investigations into deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, continuing disclosures mandated under a recently
passed federal law.
The latest tranche follows the publication of a large set of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents by the Donald Trump administration as the federal government moves to comply with legislation requiring the release of records linked to the disgraced financier.
Donald Trump’s name appears in the newly released files, including references to flight records associated with Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane, CNN reported. Federal authorities, however, have not accused the US President of any criminal wrongdoing related to Jeffrey Epstein. Officials have repeatedly stressed that the appearance of names in the documents does not, in itself, imply illegal conduct.
Donald Trump’s Relationship With Jeffrey Epstein
Donald Trump has previously downplayed the extent of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, saying he had a “very bad relationship” with him for “many years.” In recent years, Donald Trump has described Jeffrey Epstein as a “creep” and said he was “not a fan,” claiming they had not spoken for a long time before Epstein’s death in 2019.
Despite those assertions, court records, photographs, interviews and public documents found evidence of a social relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein that extended into the mid-2000s, before Donald Trump has said he cut ties. The US President has consistently denied any involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities and has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing.
In a 2002 New York Magazine profile, Donald Trump described Jeffrey Epstein as “a terrific guy,” adding that Jeffrey Epstein liked “beautiful women… on the younger side.” Donald Trump later distanced himself from those remarks and has rejected suggestions of a close friendship.
The law compelling the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files passed overwhelmingly in the US Congress last month, despite efforts by the Donald Trump administration to keep portions of the material sealed. Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
