The US Justice Department on Friday released hundreds of thousands of pages linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with the documents containing extensive references to former Democratic president Bill Clinton and only limited mention of Donald Trump.
The disclosure follows a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress in November that required the public release of all Epstein-related files. The move came despite months of resistance from the administration, which initially sought to keep the records sealed. Trump, who returned to the White House in January, has previously promoted conspiracy theories around Epstein but now faces political pressure over his past social ties with the disgraced financier.
It remains unclear how much new information the latest release adds. Many Epstein-related records entered the public domain after he died in a New York jail in 2019, which authorities ruled a suicide. Reuters is reviewing the newly published material to assess its significance.
The files include evidence from multiple law enforcement investigations and several photographs of Clinton, long criticised by Republican figures over his past association with Epstein. By contrast, the documents contain few photographs or direct references to Trump, despite his well-documented friendship with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump’s name had appeared previously in flight manifests and an Epstein contact book disclosed during the trial of Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Former President Bill Clinton took a starring role in Friday’s data dump from the Department of Justice as it released more of its documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton was pictured swimming with convicted sex trafficking felon Ghislaine Maxwell… https://t.co/oisQQqzQyd pic.twitter.com/L2nZT3xBXM
— The Western Journal (@WesternJournalX) December 20, 2025Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department would release additional material in phases, leaving open the possibility that further disclosures could include more references to Trump. Last month, Trump directed the Justice Department to examine Clinton’s links to Epstein, a move critics described as an attempt to deflect scrutiny from his own past relationship with the financier.
Among the newly released images is a photograph showing Clinton in a swimming pool alongside Maxwell and another individual whose face is obscured. Clinton has previously acknowledged socialising with Epstein but has said he did not know about any criminal activity. The Justice Department stated that it made extensive efforts to redact victims’ personal information, while cautioning that some details could still emerge inadvertently.
Jeffrey Epstein files released as Justice Department drops hundreds of thousands of documents on powerful ties to sex predator https://t.co/hJ4KnhI0gP
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) December 19, 2025In correspondence with Congress, Blanche stated that the department expects to complete its review of the remaining files within two weeks. He added that the records identify more than 1,200 victims or their relatives.
The White House described the disclosure as proof of transparency and a commitment to justice for victims. Democrats rejected that claim, noting that Congress compelled the release after the administration earlier indicated that no further Epstein files would be published. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the release represents only a small portion of the available evidence, while Senator Adam Schiff accused the administration of withholding material.
Public reaction has also exposed fractures within Trump’s political base. Some supporters allege the administration continues to shield powerful figures and obscure details surrounding Epstein’s death. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 44 per cent of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of the Epstein issue, well below his overall approval rating among party voters. Analysts say the controversy could affect his standing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Read: US House to Vote on Releasing Jeffrey Epstein Files in Defiance of Trump
Trump has denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes and says he did not know about sex trafficking. The law mandating the release allows authorities to withhold information that could endanger victims or compromise active investigations.
Earlier disclosures showed that Epstein continued contact with influential figures even after his 2008 conviction, including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, former Treasury secretary Larry Summers, tech investor Peter Thiel, and Britain’s former royal Prince Andrew. In 2023, JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay $290 million to settle claims that it ignored Epstein’s trafficking activities while keeping him as a client.
*With additional information incorporated from Reuters news reporting.
