Epstein files: Everything we've seen so far as US Justice Department begins releasing the files

Here’s everything we’ve seen so far since the US Justice Department began releasing the Epstein files.

This week, the department released the long-awaited documents tied to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Photos, videos, court records, and investigative documents were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress with a strict deadline.

So far, the files include high-profile names, graphic references, controversial photographs, and early testimony from victims who sounded the alarm decades ago.

Jeffrey Epstein posing alongside Michael Jackson in an undisclosed location. Credit: US Department of Justice

Pictures of Clinton In A Hot Tub

Several newly released photos feature former US President Bill Clinton. One shows him lounging in a hot tub with his hands behind his head, while another shows him swimming in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and an unidentified woman, whose face is hidden.

The 79-year-old has never been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims and has consistently denied knowing about his crimes. His spokesperson called the photos “decades old".

“They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be,” Angel Ureña said.

“There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We're in the first," they added.

Bill Clinton is pictured in a hot tub with Ghislaine Maxwell and an unidentified woman in another picture. Credit: US Department of Justice

Trump Mentioned The Lawsuit, and Andrew Sprawled Across Five Women

The lawsuit states that Epstein allegedly introduced a 14-year-old girl to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the 1990s.

According to a 2020 file, Epstein “playfully” elbowed Trump and said, “This is a good one, right?” Trump reportedly smiled and nodded.

The girl said, “they both chuckled,” and that she felt uncomfortable, but was too young to understand why at the time.

She does not accuse Trump of abuse, and his name appears sparingly in this first release. Trump has denied wrongdoing and said he cut ties with Epstein around 2004.

Meanwhile, one photo shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, lying across five redacted individuals, with Maxwell smiling behind them. Epstein does not appear in the image.

Andrew, who was stripped of royal titles after allegations linked to Epstein’s circle, has denied all wrongdoing.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles, is pictured lying across women. Credit: US Department of Justice

Other Celebrities In The Mix: Jackson, Jagger, Tucker, Ross

The documents reveal the most diverse celebrity photo set from any Epstein release to date.

Michael Jackson appears in two photos - one alongside Epstein, both fully clothed, and another posing with Clinton and Diana Ross in a small space with several faces blurred.

In another photo, Rolling Stones icon Mick Jagger poses with Clinton and a redacted woman in cocktail attire.

Actor Chris Tucker is also seen in multiple images, including one at a dinner table beside Clinton and another on a plane tarmac with Maxwell.

The DOJ clarified that being named or pictured does not indicate wrongdoing.

A picture of Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton, and Diana Ross was in the files. Credit: US Department of Justice

'Lolita' Quotes Scrawled On Women’s Bodies

Among the most disturbing details are photos showing references to Lolita, the Vladimir Nabokov novel about a man’s obsession with a 12-year-old girl.

One image shows the quote: “Lo-Lee-ta: The tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth,” scrawled across a woman’s chest.

Another has the line “she was Lola in slacks,” and a third, written on a foot, reads: “She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock.” A copy of Lolita is seen in the background.

Additional quotes, such as “she was Polly at school,” are written on other women’s chests and necks. The women’s faces are redacted, and their ages are not known.

Photos also show Epstein on a plane pointing out of a window, along with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, standing beside a woman with a blurred face.

Gates has said it was a “huge mistake” to associate with Epstein, telling CNN in 2021: “It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there.” A spokesperson denied any professional relationship between the two.

Other figures pictured in the files include Woody Allen, Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and Qatari royal Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousef Bin Jassim Bin Jabor al Thani. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by any of them.

More bombshell Epstein files released by Democrats showed sentences from Lolita written on a girl’s chest. Credit: House Oversight Committee

Epstein Threatened to Burn Woman’s House Down

One of the earliest reports to the FBI about Epstein is also included. In a 1996 complaint, artist Maria Farmer accused Epstein of stealing personal photos she took of her 12- and 16-year-old sisters.

She said the financier sold the images to potential buyers and threatened to “burn her house down” if she spoke out.

“Epstein is now threatening [redacted] that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down,” the file states.

Farmer confirmed the account was hers and said she feels vindicated: “I feel redeemed.”

A photo of Epstein with unnamed girls released by Democrats. Credit: House Oversight Democrats

DOJ Accused of Failing Legal Obligations

Despite the Friday deadline, the DOJ admitted it could not release all materials in time. Officials cited the need to protect victims' identities and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

However, more than 550 pages were fully redacted, including a 100-page grand jury document. Lawmakers argue the DOJ has failed to explain these redactions as required by law.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the review process is ongoing, sharing that he expects "several hundred thousand more" files to be released over the coming weeks.

But patience is wearing thin as Congressman Ro Khanna, who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Republican Thomas Massie, threatened action.

“The DOJ's document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law,” Khanna said.

Featured image credit: US Department of Justice