Epstein Files Exposed: Over 3M documents released, Elon Musk among powerful names

The US Justice Department on Friday released its largest batch of records related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, making public more than three million pages of documents , along with 2,000 videos and nearly 180,000 images , under a transparency law passed after months of political and public pressure.

The disclosures were made under the Epstein Files Transparency Act , which requires the government to reveal what it knew about Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls and his connections with wealthy and powerful figures. By Friday evening, over 600,000 documents had been posted online, while millions more remain under review.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the files were not released earlier because of the need to protect victims and prevent the disclosure of sensitive investigative material. Hundreds of lawyers were assigned to review nearly six million records , including duplicates, to determine what required redaction.

“These files contain deeply personal information about survivors of sexual abuse,” Blanche said. “We had to ensure transparency while safeguarding victims and complying with the law.”

Democratic lawmakers criticized the delays and accused the department of moving too slowly. Blanche rejected claims that the review process was intended to shield politically influential individuals, including President Donald Trump, who previously associated with Epstein but says he cut ties years ago.

The newly released records include extensive emails, text messages, photographs, videos, guest lists and schedules involving prominent figures such as Prince Andrew , Elon Musk , Steve Bannon , Howard Lutnick , and Kathy Ruemmler , as well as references to former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton . Neither Trump nor Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing, and both have denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

Documents show Epstein exchanged hundreds of messages with Bannon about politics and travel and discussed potential visits to his Caribbean island with Musk in 2012 and 2013. Prince Andrew’s name appears frequently in correspondence and guest lists, and some records indicate US prosecutors sought to interview him as part of their investigation.

The files also contain new details about Epstein’s death in a New York jail cell in August 2019, including internal investigator emails and descriptions of how jail staff diverted media attention when his body was removed. Multiple official inquiries have ruled his death a suicide.

Earlier releases in December included flight logs, photographs and court records, many of which were already public or heavily redacted. Those documents showed Trump flew on Epstein’s jet in the 1990s and that Clinton was photographed with him. Both men have denied wrongdoing.

Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor and was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges before his death. In 2021, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Justice Department officials said names and identifying details of victims were removed from videos and images to prevent further harm. One of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre , who accused him of arranging sexual encounters with powerful men including Prince Andrew, died by suicide last year at age 41.

While the latest disclosure is the largest to date, millions of records remain under review. Officials acknowledged that the demand for complete transparency may not be fully satisfied, ensuring continued scrutiny of Epstein’s powerful connections and the government’s handling of the case.