The US Justice Department has made public thousands of pages of documents and photographs connected to its long-running investigation into disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The highly anticipated release, carried out on Friday, follows months of intense political pressure and was mandated under a congressional transparency law. While the disclosure is extensive, significant portions of the material remain redacted, leaving gaps that continue to fuel public debate and scrutiny.
Why the Epstein Files Were Made Public
The records were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law that compels federal authorities to publish unclassified documents linked to Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His death, officially ruled a suicide, sparked widespread controversy and speculation. Maxwell, accused of helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls, was convicted in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
According to Reuters, President Donald Trump faced bipartisan pressure to authorise the release, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle calling for greater transparency around Epstein’s network and associations.
High-Profile Names Named or Pictured in the Files
The newly released material includes photographs, contact lists and documents referencing numerous well-known public figures. Authorities and legal experts have emphasised that being named or appearing in the files does not imply involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
Below is a list of prominent individuals identified in the documents reviewed so far:
Bill Clinton
Former US president. Appears in several photographs, including images showing him in a swimming pool and a hot tub. Clinton has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, a spokesperson said he knew “nothing about the terrible crimes” committed by Epstein.
Michael Jackson
Singer. Appears in photographs alongside Epstein, as well as in another image featuring Bill Clinton and Diana Ross. There are no allegations linking Jackson to Epstein’s criminal activities.
Mick Jagger
Musician and lead singer of the Rolling Stones. Appears in photographs with Bill Clinton. The BBC has contacted Jagger’s representatives for comment.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Formerly known as Prince Andrew. Appears in a photograph with Ghislaine Maxwell and several individuals whose faces have been redacted. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Ghislaine Maxwell
Epstein’s longtime associate. Convicted in 2021 of assisting in the sex trafficking of teenage girls and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Kevin Spacey
Actor. Appears in photographs alongside Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell. Spacey has previously called for all Epstein-related files to be released publicly.
Chris Tucker
Comedian. Appears in photographs with Maxwell, including one taken on an airport runway.
Sarah Ferguson
Former Duchess of York. Appears in one of the released images.
Richard Branson
Virgin Group co-founder. Appears in a photograph with Epstein, with two women in the background whose identities are redacted.
Walter Cronkite
Legendary US broadcast journalist. Appears in photographs seated with Epstein.
What the Documents Reveal, and What Remains Hidden
According to The Guardian, many of the photographs were released without dates or contextual details, making it difficult to determine when or where they were taken. Large sections of documents have also been withheld to protect victims, avoid compromising ongoing investigations, or prevent the circulation of abusive material.
Legal experts caution that, despite the scale of the release, the files may not fully expose the extent of Epstein’s network or the nature of his relationships. Instead, they offer fragmented glimpses into his world — raising as many questions as they answer.