President Donald Trump has claimed that the latest release of files from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein “absolves” him as a top official at the Department of Justice (DOJ) played down the possibility of additional criminal charges.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the president’s former criminal defense attorney, acknowledged the existence of “horrible photographs” and troubling email correspondence, but said it does not “allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”
“There’s a lot of correspondence. There’s a lot of emails. There’s a lot of photographs. There’s a lot of horrible photographs that appear to be taken by Mr. Epstein or people around him,” Blanche told CNN. “But that doesn’t allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”
Trump is mentioned more than 3,000 times in the latest files. Inclusion does not suggest any wrongdoing, and the DOJ said some documents contained untrue and sensationalist claims against Trump, who has denied wrongdoing and has never been accused of a crime linked with Epstein.
“I didn't see it myself but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it's the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left,” Trump said.
Key Points
- Three million files shed new light on Epstein's circles
- Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
- Top official says new info does not allow the DOJ to ‘necessarily to prosecute somebody’
- Blanche says DOJ’s review of the Epstein files ‘is over’ despite complaints from lawmakers
- Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace and emailed him about ‘beautiful girl’, files show
Pressure mounts on Andrew and Mandelson to reveal Epstein details
04:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Peter Mandelson are facing calls to reveal all they know about Jeffrey Epstein to US lawmakers, as the peer resigned his membership of the Labour Party to avoid causing it "further embarrassment".
Andrew and Lord Mandelson are both allegedly featured in the more than three million documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday related to paedophile financier Epstein.
In an alleged email exchange from 2009, Lord Mandelson appeared to tell Epstein he would lobby ministers about a tax on bankers bonuses.
Among them were files that suggested Epstein had made $75,000 in payments to Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004, when he was a Labour MP.
A man who appears to be Andrew, the King's disgraced brother, meanwhile features in images from the release where he is crouched over an unidentified woman who is lying on the floor.
The latest documents also include emails suggesting he invited the sex offender for dinner at Buckingham Palace and agreed to meet a “beautiful” 26-year-old Russian woman.
Slovakia national security adviser resigns over Epstein files
04:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSlovakian prime minister Robert Fico's national security adviser has resigned after new files related to Jeffrey Epstein allegedly showed the pair had exchanged emails talking about young women.
National security adviser Miroslav Lajcak issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and condemning Epstein's crimes. He described the exchange as informal and light-hearted and without any real substance, but said he would offer his resignation so the situation would not be used to attack the prime minister."
Not because of having done anything criminal or unethical in my actions, but I don't want him (Fico) to bear the political costs for something that's unrelated to his decisions," he said.
Fico announced in a video message on Facebook on Saturday he had accepted Lajcak's resignation, calling the adviser an incredible source of experience in diplomacy and foreign policy.
Photos appear to show Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman
03:45 , Andrea CavallierAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor “should be prepared” to testify before the US Congress about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, after he featured in the latest disclosure of files related to the disgraced pedophile financier, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested.
Pictures which appear to show Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman are featured in the latest disclosure of files linked to Epstein.
The images are among more than three million documents published by the US Department of Justice on Friday, including images of a man who appears to be Andrew kneeling on the floor next to a woman lying down.
Ro Khanna threatens contempt charges if Pam Bondi doesn't complete release of Epstein files
03:30 , Andrea CavallierLord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
03:16 , Andrea CavallierLord Peter Mandelson said he has resigned from his membership of the Labour Party as he does not wish to “cause further embarrassment” over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The announcement comes at the end of a weekend of growing pressure over his relationsip with the convicted sex offender, following the release of than three million documents by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
Exchanges between the peer and Epstein featured in some of the so-called Epstein files, while included bank statements appeared to show the peer received some 75,000 US dollars from Epstein over a period between 2003 and 2004, when he was a Labour MP.
Lord Mandelson said he did not recall ever receiving the payments, and questioned their authenticity.
Full story:
Only ‘half’ of Epstein files have been released, says lawmaker who led efforts to unearth them
03:15 , Andrea CavallierRep. Ro Khanna appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday and said that only about half of the Department’s trove has been made public and warned that there would be consequences if the rest of the documents do not come out soon.
The Democrat, who led efforts to force the DOJ to release the Epstein files along with Republican congressman Thomas Massie, told Kristen Welker that the DOJ’s release on Friday, while substantial, was weeks late under the statute passed by Congress and amounted to just about half of what Congress had demanded from the agency.
Read more:
Only ‘half’ of Epstein files released, says lawmaker who led efforts to unearth them
Trump claims latest Epstein files release clears him of wrongdoing
03:00 , Andrea CavallierSecond woman claims she was sent by Epstein to the UK for sex with Andrew, lawyer says
02:00 , Andrea CavallierA second woman has claimed she was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The woman's lawyer told the BBC that the encounter took place at the disgraced former prince's former residence of Royal Lodge in 2010.
The woman, who is not named, was said to be in her 20s at the time. No evidence has been provided in support of the woman's claims.
Read more:
Second woman claims she was sent by Epstein to UK for sex with Andrew, lawyer says
Rep Raskin slams Epstein files release as a ‘full-blown cover-up’
01:00 , Andrea CavallierDemocratic representative Jamie Raskin appeared on CNN Sunday where he called the DOJ’s release of the Epstein files a “a full-blown cover-up.”
He said that Democrats were "absolutely" going to see the unredacted file, adding that they had sent a letter requesting the files.
Blanche said on Friday that every woman’s image had been redacted, adding that if any members of Congress wanted to see the unredacted material they should contact the DOJ so that could be arranged.
“Remember, they’ve said there are six million potentially responsive documents there. They’ve only released three million with more than 10,000 redactions. So we have to go look at those redactions. They’ve not sent us the explanation yet for those redactions. But then what about the other 3 million files?
Because we are witnessing a full blown cover up. Remember, not only is there a subpoena to attorney general [Pam] Bondi to turn everything over to Congress now; there’s a federal law compelling them to turn it over, and yet we’re just getting the dribs and drabs of information coming out of this stuff that they want us to see.”
House Democrat leading Epstein files release says DOJ is not following the law
00:30 , Andrea CavallierOn Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he thinks the DOJ is complying with the law requiring public disclosure of the Epstein files.
But Rep. Ro Khanna, who is leading the effort to release all the Epstein files, said he did not believe the department had fully complied.
He said survivors are upset that many of their names accidentally had come out without redactions and they want to make sure the rest of the files come out.
Blanche said each time the department has learned that a victim’s name was not properly redacted, it has moved quickly to fix the problem but that those mistakes account for a tiny fraction of the overall materials.
Top DOJ official said info in Epstein docs in 'troubling' but 'does not allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody'
00:00 , Andrea CavallierThe possibility of additional criminal charges in the wake of the Epstein files release is slim, according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
He said the existence of “horrible photographs” and troubling email correspondence included in the documents does not “allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”
That remains unchanged from what officials said last summer regarding a review of Epstein-related records, saying that it did not establish a basis for new criminal investigations, the Associated Press reported.
“There’s a lot of correspondence. There’s a lot of emails. There’s a lot of photographs. There’s a lot of horrible photographs that appear to be taken by Mr. Epstein or people around him,” Blanche said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But that doesn’t allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”
He said that victims of Epstein’s sex abuse “want to be made whole,” but that “doesn’t mean we can just create evidence or that we can just kind of come up with a case that isn’t there.”
“We had reviewed the files, the ‘Epstein Files,’ and there was nothing in there that allowed us to prosecute anybody,” Blanche said. “We then released over 3.5 million pieces of paper, which the entire world can look at now and see if we got it wrong.”
Blanche insists DOJ investigated all allegations against Trump
Sunday 1 February 2026 23:30 , Andrea CavallierDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that there were a “ton of people” named in the Epstein files besides Trump and that the FBI had fielded “hundreds of calls” about prominent individuals that were “quickly determined to not be credible.”
Among the newly released records was a spreadsheet created last August that summarized calls made to the FBI’s National Threat Operation Center or to a hotline set by prosecutors from people claiming to have some knowledge of wrongdoing by Trump.
That document included a range of uncorroborated stories involving many different celebrities, and somewhat fantastical scenarios, occasionally with notations indicating what follow-up, if any, was done by agents.
Some of Epstein’s personal email correspondence contained candid discussions with other people about his penchant for paying women for sex, even after he served jail time for soliciting an underage prostitute.
‘This review is over’
Sunday 1 February 2026 23:00 , Andrea CavallierFollowing Friday’s release of documents, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” that though there are a “small number of documents” that the Justice Department is waiting for a judge’s approval before it can released.
But when it comes to the department’s own scouring of documents, “this review is over.”
“We reviewed over six million pieces of paper, thousands of videos, tens of thousands of images,” Blanche said.
Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
Sunday 1 February 2026 22:44 , Andrea CavallierLord Peter Mandelson said he has resigned from his membership of the Labour Party as he does not wish to “cause further embarrassment” over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The announcement comes at the end of a weekend of growing pressure over his relationship with the convicted sex offender.
It follows the release of more than three million documents published by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein on Friday.
More:
Elon Musk claims he fought for full release of the Epstein files
Sunday 1 February 2026 22:30 , Andrea CavallierElon Musk, who turned up at least a few times in Friday’s document release, posted on X Sunday, claiming that “nobody has fought harder” than he has for the release.
“Nobody has fought harder for full release of the Epstein files and prosecutions of those who abused children more than I did, knowing full well that the legacy media, far-left propagandists and those who are actually guilty would:
1. Admit nothing
2. Deny everything
3. Make counter-accusations against me
Musk was mentioned in email exchanges in 2012 and 2013 in which he discussed visiting Epstein’s infamous Caribbean island compound. But it’s not immediately clear if the island visits took place.
He has maintained that he repeatedly turned down the disgraced financier’s overtures. “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” he posted on X in 2025.
Nobody has fought harder for full release of the Epstein files and prosecutions of those who abused children more than I did, knowing full well that the legacy media, far-left propagandists and those who are actually guilty would:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 1, 2026
1. Admit nothing
2. Deny everything
3. Make…
Rep Massie responds to DOJ’s offer to view un-redacted materials
Sunday 1 February 2026 22:10 , Andrea CavallierDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that while there are some documents that have still not been released, “this review is over.”
He also addressed complaints by lawmakers and survivors who criticized the latest release of docs as insufficient and marred by redaction failures, ABC News reported.
He urged Rep Thomas Massie and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who he said were “quick to complain,” to arrange to review unredacted files at DOJ.
“We have nothing to hide,” he added. “We never did and our doors are open.”
Rep Massie posted a response on X with a screenshot of his request.
“We sent the letter Friday,” he wrote.
We sent the letter Friday. https://t.co/uq7R2yrPlH pic.twitter.com/ooTtiIC7u3
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 1, 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson questioned about Trump and Epstein’s relationship
Sunday 1 February 2026 21:46 , Andrea CavallierHouse Speaker Mike Johnson appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday where Kristen Welker pressed him about Trump’s name being mentioned thousands of times in the files.
“President Trump’s name appears throughout the Epstein files,” she said. “Do you have any outstanding questions about the relationship between President Trump and Epstein?’
“I do not,” he replied.
Blanche says DOJ’s review of the Epstein files ‘is over’ despite complaints from lawmakers
Sunday 1 February 2026 21:00 , Andrea CavallierDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the DOJ’s review of the Epstein files has concluded.
In an interview with ABC News' This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, Blanche explained that while there are some documents that have still not been released, “this review is over.”
He also addressed complaints by lawmakers and survivors who criticized the latest release of docs as insufficient and marred by redaction failures, ABC News reported.
Blanche said the DOJ is working to “immediately rectify” any instance identified by survivors or counsel, noting it only affected “about .001%” of materials.
Blanche also responded in his ABC interview to Rep Thomas Massie and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who he said were “quick to complain,” adding that there is “no way” they have reviewed all the materials.
He said lawmakers could arrange to review unredacted files at DOJ.
“We have nothing to hide,” he added. “We never did and our doors are open.”
Met Police urged to reopen Andrew investigation after latest release of Epstein files
Sunday 1 February 2026 20:28 , Andrea CavallierGloria Allred, a lawyer who has represented 27 of Epstein’s victims, is urging the Met Police to reopen a probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he featured in the latest release of Epstein files.
There were pictures appearing to show Andrew on all fours leaning over a woman. It also appeared that he had exchanged emails with Epstein about a “beautiful” Russian woman, and invited him to Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, a second woman has claimed she was sent by Epstein to the UK to have a sexual encounter with Andrew in 2010. No evidence has been produced in support of this latest allegation.
“The Metropolitan Police should reopen their investigation of Andrew. In addition, Andrew should volunteer to speak to Congress, even though he has denied that he has committed any crime,” she told the Mail on Sunday.
“He should do this to help the survivors learn what he observed and what was going on at the crime scene. The crime scene was every residence of Jeffrey Epstein, and Andrew stayed with Epstein at a number of his homes.”
Read more:
Met Police urged to reopen Andrew investigation after latest release of Epstein files
Attorneys for Epstein survivors say handling of files is ‘outrageous’
Sunday 1 February 2026 19:00 , Andrea CavallierAttorneys for Epstein survivors say the recent document release exposed the names for the survivors.
“As survivors, we should never be the ones named, scrutinized, and re-traumatized while Epstein’s enablers continue to benefit from secrecy,” a statement from 20 survivors said. “Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous.”
“It is without question that a significant piece of Epstein and [his convicted associate Ghislaine] Maxwell’s vast sex trafficking operation was to provide young women and girls to other wealthy and powerful individuals,” said Sigrid McCawley, a partner with Boies Schiller Flexner, a firm representing survivors of the scheme, according to The Guardian.
McCawley added: “Those who find themselves entangled in the mire of newly released information, no doubt, will play the deny and distance card, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is exactly how the sex trafficking operation worked.”
Top Olympic official says says Epstein files and ICE are ‘sad’ distractions from Winter games
Sunday 1 February 2026 18:30 , Andrea CavallierInternational Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, couldn’t avoid questions relating to ICE and the Jeffrey Epstein files at a news conference in Milan on Sunday, the Associated Press reported.
Coventry said it was not the IOC’s place to comment on the issues but when pressed admitted it was “sad” that such stories were deflecting attention away from the upcoming Olympics.
“I think anything that is distracting from these Games is sad, right? But we’ve learned over the many years … there’s always been something that has taken the lead, leading up to the Games,” Coventry said. “Whether it has been Zika, COVID, there has always been something.
The latest batch of files include emails from 2003 between Casey Wasserman, the head of the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, and Ghislaine Maxwell.
In response to a question about Wasserman, Coventry said: “We didn’t discuss it yesterday and I believe Mr. Wasserman has put out his statement and we now have nothing further to add.”
Coventry was elected just over 10 months ago and is the first female IOC president.
The upcoming Olympics run from Feb. 6-22. U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead an American delegation to the Milan Cortina Games and attend Friday’s opening ceremony.
Blanche acknowledges ‘horrible’ photos in files, but says new info does not allow the DOJ to ‘necessarily to prosecute somebody’
Sunday 1 February 2026 18:00 , Andrea CavallierDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche signaled on CNN Sunday morning that the DOJ will not pursue new charges related to the Epstein case following the latest batch of files.
When asked as a result of the release, Blanche pointed to earlier reviews and the scope of the newly released materials.
“I can’t talk about any investigations, but I will say the following, which is that in July, the Department of Justice said that we had reviewed the files, the Epstein files, and there was nothing in there that allowed us to prosecute anybody,” he said. “The entire world can look at and see if we got it wrong.”
He continued: “There’s a lot of correspondence, there’s a lot of emails, there’s a lot of photographs. There’s a lot of horrible photographs that appear to be taken by Mr. Epstein or people around him, but that doesn’t allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”
Only ‘half’ of Epstein files have been released, says lawmaker who led efforts to unearth them
Sunday 1 February 2026 17:30 , Andrea CavallierRep. Ro Khanna, a member of the bipartisan pair leading the effort to compel the Justice Department to release files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, said on Sunday that only about half of the Department’s trove has been made public and warned that there would be consequences if the rest of the documents do not come out soon.
“They've released at best half the documents. But even those shock the conscience of this country. I mean, you have some of the most wealthy individuals, tech leaders, finance leaders, politicians, all implicated in some way, having emailed them, wanting to go to Epstein's island [even] knowing that Epstein was a pedophile,” Khanna said on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“This is the most documents that we have seen released so far in history. But it is not good enough,” the California congressman continued, warning: “If we don't get the remaining files ... and if the survivors are not happy, then Thomas Massie and I are prepared to move on impeachment or contempt.”
Read more:
Only ‘half’ of Epstein files released, says lawmaker who led efforts to unearth them
Trump claims latest Epstein file release clears him of wrongdoing
Sunday 1 February 2026 17:00 , Andrea CavallierDirector of ‘Melania’ doc featured in Epstein files
Sunday 1 February 2026 16:45 , Andrea CavallierBrett Ratner, the director of the new documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, is pictured embracing a young woman in images released by the US Department of Justice on Friday, BBC reported.
The photos also show Epstein and two unidentified women. It’s unclear when the photos were taken. There is no indication of wrongdoing from these images in the files.
The ‘Melania’ doc is the first project by Ratner since he was accused of sexual misconduct in the early days of the #MeToo reckoning, the Associated Press reported. Ratner’s lawyer has denied the allegations.
Blanche says many allegations about Trump in Epstein files were ‘not credible’
Sunday 1 February 2026 16:15 , Andrea CavallierDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning where he told Dana Bash that the focus should not only be on Trump.
This despite the president being referenced in the files more than 1,000 times.
“I don’t appreciate it being directed towards Donald J. Trump, because that, that pushes a narrative that is completely false,” he said.
“It’s about a ton of people, multiple, multiple people that were quoted in the Epstein files,” Blanche added.
“What I think folks will see when they review the materials we released is that there have been hundreds of calls made to the FBI where allegations are made by either anonymous individuals or people who are very quickly determined to not be credible.”
When asked about allegations involving Trump specifically, he said many were impossible to investigate.
“It turns out, there was a number of claims made by either … anonymous people or somebody, for example, calling and saying I used to have a roommate who told me this sensational story,” he said.
“So just, you know, obviously that’s not something that can be really investigated, right? ‘What’s your roommate’s name? I don’t remember,’ So that’s what that’s about,” Blanche added.
Lord Mandelson says he has no recollection of payments from Epstein
Sunday 1 February 2026 15:45 , Andrea CavallierAccording to the latest trove of files released Friday, between 2003 and 2004, Epstein made $75,000 in payments to accounts connected to Lord Mandelson.
Lord Mandelson says he had no record or recollection of receiving the payments, BBC is reporting. He also says that he did not know whether the documents were authentic.
Epstein told former Norwegian PM: "Would love to meet with putin"
Sunday 1 February 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsJeffrey Epstein emailed former Norwegian prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland in June 2018 to say he would “love to meet with putin”.
The pair had been in contact over several years, according to the files released on Friday.
Another email from 2015 read: “I still would like to meet putin and talk economy, i would really appreciate your assistance.”
Jagland previously distanced himself from Epstein over what had “come to light about Jeffrey Epstein’s private life”.
Elon Musk calls Epstein files a ‘distraction’ after emails reveal his messages with sex offender
Sunday 1 February 2026 14:30 , James ReynoldsElon Musk sought to distance himself from Epstein in a series of posts on X on Saturday, with one describing the newly published documents as “a distraction.”
In a series of emails sent over 10 years ago, Musk repeatedly expressed his desire to visit the convicted sex offender’s private island in the Caribbean Sea, at one point asking when the “wildest party” would take place.
Read the full story:
Elon Musk calls Epstein files a ‘distraction’ after DOJ docs show their emails
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Sunday 1 February 2026 14:00 , Andrea CavallierInitial findings from Friday’s drop include emails from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince, inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace years after the financier was convicted of sex crimes.
Messages from billionaire Elon Musk asked Epstein when his wildest party would be and discussed visiting his notorious island. It is unclear whether Musk, who is not accused of wrongdoing, ever visited.
In other emails, Epstein made allegations Bill Gates had engaged in extra marital affairs. A spokesperson for Gates vehemently denied the “absurd” allegations.
And Donald Trump is mentioned more than 3,000 times in the new tranche of three million documents.
Here are the main revelations so far:
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Slovakian national security advisor resigns after file dump
Sunday 1 February 2026 13:30 , James ReynoldsSlovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's national security adviser has resigned after new files related to Jeffrey Epstein showed the pair had exchanged emails talking about young women.
National security adviser Miroslav Lajcak issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and condemning Epstein's crimes.
He described the exchange as informal and light-hearted and without any real substance, but said he would offer his resignation so the situation would not be used to attack the prime minister.
"Not because of having done anything criminal or unethical in my actions, but I don't want him (Fico) to bear the political costs for something that's unrelated to his decisions," he said.
What information can be redacted in the Epstein files?
Sunday 1 February 2026 13:00 , Andrea CavallierWhen Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, lawmakers allowed for several pieces of information to be redacted in order to protect victims and future prosecutions.
The following is information that may be redacted:
- Personally identifiable information of victims
- Personal and medical files related to a victim
- Any depiction of child sexual abuse material or child pornography
- Anything that could jeopardize an active federal investigation
- Imagery, documents or videos that depict or contain images of death, physical abuse or injury
- Documents protected under other privileges, including deliberative process privilege, work product privilege, and attorney-client privilege
Minister refuses to say if Peter Mandelson should be kicked out of Labour over Epstein scandal
Sunday 1 February 2026 12:52 , James ReynoldsA government minister refused to rule out Peter Mandelson having the Labour whip restored, despite fresh claims over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
A tranche of newly released documents from the so-called Epstein files have suggested the convicted sex offender sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson’s husband Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
Housing, communities and local government secretary Steve Reed said on Sunday the party would “need to understand exactly what's happened” before taking action.
“I think it would be for Peter Mandelson to explain whether or not that money was properly declared, and if not, then he will need to account for that.”
The latest dump of files showed rolling correspondence between Epstein and Mandelson, including alleged payments to accounts in his name.
One file showed Mandelson wearing a T-shirt and Y-fronts, stood next to a woman with her face redacted. Inclusion in the files does not suggest wrongdoing.
Watch: Trump claims latest Epstein files release clears him of wrongdoing
Sunday 1 February 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsTrump says documents "absolve" him
Sunday 1 February 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Saturday that the files cleared him of allegations about his links with Epstein.
Speaking for the first time about the release as he flew to Florida, he told reporters: "I didn't see it myself but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it's the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left."
Epstein sent money to Mandelson account, disputed new files suggest
Sunday 1 February 2026 11:48 , James ReynoldsJeffrey Epstein sent Lord Mandelson $75,000 in three instalments, according to the new files.
The new documents show Epstein sent Lord Mandelson money as early as 2003. A file from Epstein’s JPMorgan accounts, dated May 2003, shows a payment of $25,000 was sent to Reinaldo da Silva, Lord Mandelson’s partner.
Lord Mandelson was named and listed as ‘BEN’, short for beneficiary.
Further transactions were recorded in June 2004, when he was a Labour MP, sent to HSBC accounts in his name.
A spokesperson for Lord Mandelson told the Financial Times that he had no record or recollection of receiving any such payments, and did not know if the documents were authentic.
Elon Musk calls Epstein files a ‘distraction’ after emails reveal his messages with sex offender
Sunday 1 February 2026 11:30 , James ReynoldsElon Musk sought to distance himself from Epstein in a series of posts on X on Saturday, with one describing the newly published documents as “a distraction.”
In a series of emails sent over 10 years ago, Musk repeatedly expressed his desire to visit the convicted sex offender’s private island in the Caribbean Sea, at one point asking when the “wildest party” would take place.
Read the full story:
Elon Musk calls Epstein files a ‘distraction’ after DOJ docs show their emails
Epstein survivors group push for full release of files when Bondi appears before House committee
Sunday 1 February 2026 11:00 , Andrea CavallierA group representing Epstein survivors is pushing for the full release of the Justice Department files with Attorney General Pam Bondi scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee next month, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement released Friday by the publicist for the late Virginia Giuffre, the group said the Justice Department “cannot claim it is finished releasing files until every legally required document is released and every abuser and enabler is fully exposed.”
“We need to hear directly from Attorney General Pam Bondi when she appears before the House Judiciary Committee,” the statement said, adding that the matter “is not over.”
The group said it would continue pressing for accountability and urged lawmakers from both parties to support the full release of the files, emphasizing that their demands are “not about politics,” but about transparency and justice for survivors.
AOC says latest release still a 'minority' of the files
Sunday 1 February 2026 10:30 , James ReynoldsAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for full transparency around the Epstein files on Saturday, saying the latest release was just a ‘minority’ of what the DOJ holds.
“Even with everything in this Epstein drop, remember: this is a minority of the files,” the Democrat representative wrote on social media.
“This is STILL just what they were *willing* to release - in violation of the law, which requires release of all files. Pam Bondi’s DOJ is still hiding most of them. We need them all.”
Top Slovakian official resigns after file dump
Sunday 1 February 2026 10:00 , James ReynoldsRobert Fico, Slovakia's prime minister, said Saturday that he had accepted the resignation of Miroslav Lajcak, his national security adviser.
Lajcak, a former foreign minister, hasn't been accused of wrongdoing, but emails showed that Epstein had invited him to dinner and other meetings in 2018.
The records also include a March 2018 email from Epstein's office to former Obama White House general counsel Kathy Ruemmler, inviting her to a get-together with Epstein, Lajcak and Steve Bannon.
Lajcak said his contacts with Epstein were part of his diplomatic duties. Pressure mounted for his ouster from opposition parties and a nationalist partner in Fico's governing coalition.
'I don't know how far Mandelson's lack of disclosure over links with Epstein goes', says minister
Sunday 1 February 2026 09:27 , Millie CookeA government minister has denied any knowledge of Peter Mandelson's alleged financial links with Jeffrey Epstein, saying that he "does not know how far" the former US ambassador's "lack of disclosure" to the government goes.
Asked whether the government had knowledge of Mr Mandelson's alleged financial links with the convicted pedophile, Steve Reed told the BBC: "Of course not. Absolutely, not. I mean, you're talking about things that happened 20 years ago, more than 20 years ago. Of course, there was no knowledge."
He added: "I want to hear what happened just as much as you do, just as much as people watching this show."
Asked whether Lord Mandelson was not telling the truth when he previously claimed that he had told Downing Street everything there was to know about his links with Epstein, Mr Reed said: "The reason he was removed as ambassador to the US is because there were things he had not disclosed.
"Now I don't know how far that lack of disclosure goes. I think he should answer questions about his own life."
The Government on Sunday continued to pile pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before a US investigation into Epstein.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed was asked on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News if the Government would comply with an extradition request from the US for the former duke, should one be made.
He said while it would not be sensibly to discuss hypotheticals, “he principle here is very, very clear: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor clearly has insight into what was going on, and he should testify, because the victims deserve and need him, and anybody else who may have witnessed things, to do that.”
Mr Reed added he had “no idea” if the Government could compel Andrew to take part in the congressional investigation.
Cabinet minister declines to say if Mandelson should be stripped of Labour whip
Sunday 1 February 2026 09:07 , Millie CookeCabinet minister Steve Reed has declined to say whether Peter Mandelson should be stripped of the Labour whip if he returns to the Lords after fresh revelations emerged about his links with Jeffrey Epstein.
He told Sky News: "Before taking any action like that, we need to understand exactly what's happened. You're asking me here about something that happened nearly 20 years ago. I don't know the full detail of it.
"I wasn't in the government 20 years ago."
Referring to allegations Epstein transferred Mr Mandelson's husband a fee for him to attend the British School of Osteopathy, Mr Reed added: "I think it would be for Peter Mandelson to explain whether or not that money was properly declared, and if not, then he will need to account for that. But I don't want to jump the gun and make assumptions. I think we need to find out exactly what happened."
Read the full story:
Minister refuses to say if Mandelson should be kicked out of Labour over Epstein
Xbox had permanently banned Epstein from online functions to 'minimise risk to others' after conviction
Sunday 1 February 2026 09:00 , Andrea CavallierOne email released in the new files shows an Xbox Live account linked to Epstein’s email address was permanently banned from online functions.
An email dated December 19, 2013 reads: “This email is to notify you that your Xbox Live account privileges have been permanently suspended due to harassment, threats, and/or abuse of other players. This conduct has been determined to be severe, repeated, and/or excessive.”
Another email, also dated 19 December 2013, says the permanent suspension was “based on the New York Attorney General’s partnership with Microsoft and other online gaming companies to remove New York registered sex offenders from online gaming services to minimize the risk to others, particularly children”.
Recap: Three million files shed new light on Epstein's circles
Sunday 1 February 2026 08:45 , James ReynoldsThe US justice department released more than three million files pertaining to the case of paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein on Friday.
Those files are still being analysed. Many emerged with major redactions and critics said there were still files missing.
Survivors also criticised the handling of the release, with some named in files shared with the public.
- A man who appeared to be the former prince Andrew was pictured several times on all fours over a woman on the floor.
- Andrew also appeared to invite Epstein to Buckingham Palace for dinner and “lots of privacy”.
- Epstein said in an email he wanted Sarah Ferguson to release a statement saying he was “not a pedo” after she distanced herself himself from him.
- One file details what appeared to be internal emails by federal investigators looking into salacious accusations involving Donald Trump and Epstein. The investigators said several accusers were not deemed credible.
Recap: Starmer calls for Andrew to testify before Congress
Sunday 1 February 2026 08:23 , James ReynoldsOn his return from Japan on Saturday, the prime minister addressed the revelations from the new release of Epstein files.
"Anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that,” he told reporters. "You can’t be victim centred if you’re not prepared to do that."
He said: "Epstein's victims have to be the first priority.
“As for whether there should be an apology, that's a matter for Andrew.”
New files published on Friday included emails that showed King Charles's brother maintaining regular contact with Epstein for more than two years after he was found guilty of child sex crimes.
In November, members of a U.S. congressional committee investigating the Epstein case intensified their calls for Andrew to answer questions.
Names in Epstein files do not imply guilt
Sunday 1 February 2026 07:00 , Andrea CavallierAlthough notable people may be named or featured in photographs in the Epstein files, their presence alone does not mean they are accused of wrongdoing or even knew of Epstein’s crimes.
Epstein, once a wealthy financier, was well-connected to celebrities, powerful businessmen and world leaders.
Prosecutors collected all photos and documents that they could during investigations, meaning those who knew Epstein, but played no role in his crimes, or perhaps did not even know about it, can be mentioned.
Watch: Deputy AG says DOJ did not protect Trump as they release more redacted Epstein files
Sunday 1 February 2026 05:00 , Andrea CavallierPHOTOS: Inside Epstein's prison cell
Sunday 1 February 2026 04:00 , Andrea Cavallier
Trump suggests lawsuit against Epstein estate and Michael Wolf after latest files release
Sunday 1 February 2026 04:00 , Brendan RasciusPresident Donald Trump suggested he might sue author Michael Wolff and the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of more than three million Epstein files by the Department of Justice on Friday.
Among the newly released files are a number of emails between Wolff and Epstein, many of which discuss Trump.
“It looks like this guy Wolff, was a writer, was conspiring with Epstein to do harm to me,” the Republican president told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday evening.
“Wolff, who’s a third-rate writer, was conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to hurt me politically or otherwise and that came through loud and clear,” he added. “So we’ll probably sue Wolf on that...Maybe the Epstein estate, I guess. I don’t know. But we’ll certainly sue Wolff.”
Video in new files release shows Epstein's prison cell
Sunday 1 February 2026 03:00 , Andrea CavallierImage appears to show Epstein's close network
Sunday 1 February 2026 02:00 , Andrea CavallierA redacted diagram included in the new files shows a list of Epstein’s potential co-conspirators, as compiled by the DOJ during its investigation.
The undated diagram shows the names and photos of several known associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell and the model agent Jean-Luc Brunel.
Others were known employees of Epstein, none of whom were charged. The document shows the DOJ was investigating some people close to Epstein for possible involvement in his crimes.
‘Absolutely absurd’: Bill Gates denies alleged affair claim
Sunday 1 February 2026 01:00 , Andrea CavallierBill Gates has rubbished “absurd” claims about an alleged affair that appear in the latest batch of Epstein files.
Epstein once claimed that the billionaire businessman and philanthropist had engaged in extramarital sex, according to an email released by the DOJ on Friday.
Epstein made this claim in a 225-word email he sent to himself on July 18, 2013, with the subject line: “bill.”
A spokesperson for Gates vehemently denied the allegations:
“These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false,” the spokesperson told The Independent. “The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”
More:
Gates rubbishes affair claims in newly released Epstein files: ‘Absolutely absurd’
Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace and emailed him about ‘beautiful girl’, files show
Sunday 1 February 2026 00:00 , Andrea CavallierAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace after the pedophile financier was convicted of sex crimes with a child, according to newly released documents.
Among the documents is an email exchange between Epstein and Andrew dated September 27, 2010 – two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
In the email, Andrew says he is travelling back from Scotland to London, where Epstein is staying. He tells Epstein "we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy".
Epstein responds: "Already in london [sic]. what time woudl [sic] you like me and we will also need/ have private time."
Read more:
Epstein threatened to ‘kill’ people in newly released emails
Saturday 31 January 2026 23:47 , Brendan RasciusOn several occasions, Epstein either threatened to have someone killed or directly requested their death, according to emails released by the Department of Justice on Friday.
On June 30, 2014, the disgraced financier wrote to an unknown individual, “I give you permission to kill him. He is apparently with the [Redacted]. He lied to you and he lied to me.”
In a follow-up message, he added: “No one will lie to you and get away with it from me.”
And, on November 26, 2012, Epstein wrote to another unknown person: “I'm going to kill her.” His message was in response to the individual informing him that someone had been posting “photos from the apt” on Instagram.
A similarly threatening email was sent by Epstein’s email address on June 30, 2013.
“I want the best strategy for burying him in his own nonsense. I am going to kill him slowly and painfully. I said when you had spoken to him to someone. One can lie to me but if they lie to Jeffrey - that is it. I seriously hoped he wasn't.”
New Epstein file photos appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on floor with woman
Saturday 31 January 2026 23:00 , Andrea CavallierPhotos included in the latest batch of Epstein files appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor crouched over a woman on a floor.
It’s among string of revelations about the former prince in the latest documents, which also include emails suggesting he invited the sex offender for dinner at Buckingham Palace and agreed to meet a “beautiful” 26-year-old Russian woman.
In the undated images, the royal appears to kneel on the ground as he leans over an unidentified woman, while another angle shows the woman’s abdomen being touched.
Sir Keir Starmer has since stated that Andrew should testify before the US Congress about his links to Epstein. Andrew had been accused of “hiding” by US officials after he was invited to an interview by the US House oversight committee.
The images, among more than three million documents published by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, have no captions, and it is not known where they were taken.
Andrew should testify before US Congress over links to Epstein, says Starmer
Saturday 31 January 2026 20:29 , Andrea CavallierAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor “should be prepared” to testify before the US Congress about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, after he featured in the latest batch of files, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested.
A “victim-centered” approach to dealing with Epstein is the reason Andrew should share information in “whatever form” he is asked, the Prime Minister added.
Pictures which appear to show Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman are featured in the latest disclosure of files linked to Epstein.
Read more:
Andrew should testify before US Congress over links to Epstein, says Starmer
National security adviser for Slovakia’s prime minister resigns after communications with Epstein revealed in new docs
Saturday 31 January 2026 20:23 , Andrea CavallierMiroslav Lajcak, national security adviser for Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico, has resigned a day after Lajcak’s past communications with Epstein appeared in new docs released Friday.
Lajcak, a former Slovak foreign minister and a onetime president of the U.N. General Assembly, denied any wrongdoing. He said his contacts were part of his diplomatic duties and occurred before U.S. authorities opened their investigation into Epstein.
Pressure mounted for his ouster from opposition parties and a nationalist partner in Fico’s governing coalition, the Associated Press reported.
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Saturday 31 January 2026 19:35 , Andrea CavallierThe latest dump - expected to be the last - contains some three million pages, including 180,000 images and some 2,000 videos attached to the case.
Initial findings from the drop include emails from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince, inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace years after the financier was convicted of sex crimes.
Messages from billionaire Elon Musk asked Epstein when his wildest party would be and discussed visiting his notorious island. It is unclear whether Musk, who is not accused of wrongdoing, ever visited.
And in other emails, Epstein made allegations Bill Gates had engaged in extra marital affairs. A spokesperson for Gates vehemently denied the “absurd” allegations.
More:
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Top Democrat on House Judiciary Committee pushes for review of unredacted Epstein files
Saturday 31 January 2026 19:00 , Andrea CavallierRep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, is pressing the Justice Department to let lawmakers review unredacted versions of the latest batch of Epstein files as soon as Sunday.
Raskin’s demand is the latest signal Democrats believe the Justice Department has not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, The Associated Press reported.
In a letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Raskin said the review is urgent ahead of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s February 11 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
He argues Congress must assess whether DOJ’s redactions, from a universe of more than six million pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein, were lawful or improperly shielded from scrutiny.
AOC calls for complete release of Epstein files
Saturday 31 January 2026 18:30 , Andrea CavallierCongresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted on X Saturday calling for a complete release of the Epstein files.
“Even with everything in this Epstein drop, remember: this is a minority of the files.
This is STILL just what they were *willing* to release - in violation of the law, which requires release of all files.
Pam Bondi’s DOJ is still hiding most of them. We need them all.”
Even with everything in this Epstein drop, remember: this is a minority of the files.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 31, 2026
This is STILL just what they were *willing* to release - in violation of the law, which requires release of all files.
Pam Bondi’s DOJ is still hiding most of them. We need them all.
Epstein assistant says she can’t find missing key card for Harvard professor’s office
Saturday 31 January 2026 18:00 , Andrea CavallierEpstein gave millions of dollars to research projects associated with Martin Nowak, a Harvard University math professor.
In a 2018 email, Epstein assistant Lesley Groff asked someone about a missing key card for Nowak’s office.
“We can’t find it. ... it is kept in my office drawer and it is not there...do you happen to know where it is?” Groff asked, according to the newly released documents cited by The Associated Press. The email recipient is redacted.
In 2021, Harvard barred Nowak from starting new research or advising students for at least two years because of his ties to Epstein after the financier’s 2008 sex crimes conviction. An investigation determined that Nowak gave Epstein an office in his campus research center, along with a building key card.
At the time, Nowak said he regretted the connection between Harvard and Epstein “and the hurt that it has caused.”
King Charles seen for first time since latest Andrew revelations
Saturday 31 January 2026 17:35 , Andrea CavallierKing Charles made a surprise appearance at a Sandringham parkrun on Saturday morning, joining participants at an event organized in partnership with the Move Against Cancer charity.
It was his first public appearance following fresh revelations about his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Newly released files on Epstein appeared to show images of Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman on the floor.
More:
King Charles seen for first time since latest Andrew revelations
Latest batch of Epstein documents include new details on his suicide
Saturday 31 January 2026 17:13 , Andrea CavallierThe latest batch of Epstein documents includes emails between investigators about Epstein’s death, including an investigator’s observation that his final communication doesn’t look like a suicide note, The Associated Press reported.
Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019, and found dead in his cell just over a month later. Multiple investigations have determined that Epstein’s death was a suicide.
The documents from Friday also detail a trick that jail staffers used to fool the media gathered outside while Epstein’s body was removed: they used boxes and sheets to create what appeared to be a body and loaded it into a white van labeled as belonging to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The reporters followed the van when it left the jail, not knowing that Epstein’s actual body was loaded into a black vehicle, which departed “unnoticed,” according to the interview notes.
Epstein survivor says it’s ‘heart-wrenching’ to hear files don't contain names of specific men who abused women
Saturday 31 January 2026 16:00 , Andrea CavallierThe Department of Justice said it’s not aware of any other men that were involved in the abuse of Epstein’s victims.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the files don't contain the names of specific men who abused women.
If the DOJ had those names, the men would be prosecuted, Blanche said.
“I don’t think the public are going to uncover men within the Epstein files that abused women, unfortunately,” he added.
In response, Lisa Phillips, an Epstein survivor, told BBC Newsnight that this is “heart wrenching to hear.”
“I couldn't believe he could keep a straight face when he said that. It's heart wrenching to hear him say that when the whole Epstein saga is all about other men enabling and abusing.”
New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch responds to being named in files
Saturday 31 January 2026 15:45 , Andrea CavallierIn the latest release, it was revealed that New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and Epstein discussed multiple women in 2013.
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy, and investments,” Tisch said in a statement to Daily Mail on Saturday.
“I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
Elon Musk tweets about Epstein files
Saturday 31 January 2026 15:28 , Andrea CavallierMusk tweeted about the Epstein files a day after the latest release revealed he sent an email to Epstein in 2012 asking to “let loose” on the party scene in St. Bart’s
“What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” Musk wrote, according to the newly released files.
In an email on Christmas Day 2012, Musk wrote to Epstein that he wanted to “hit the party scene” in St. Barts.
“Do you have any parties planned?” Musk asked. “I’ve been working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose. The invitation is much appreciated, but a peaceful island experience is the opposite of what I’m looking for.”
The emails do not say whether Musk ultimately visited the island.
What matters is not release of some subset of the Epstein files, but rather the prosecution of those who committed heinous crimes with Epstein.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2026
When there is at least one arrest, some justice will have been done. If not, this is all performative. Nothing but a distraction. https://t.co/N0ili1ZUbz
Epstein wanted Sarah Ferguson to say he was ‘not a pedo’, emails show
Saturday 31 January 2026 15:00 , Andrea CavallierEpstein wanted Sarah Ferguson, the then-Duchess of York, to release a statement saying he was “not a pedo”, newly released emails appear to show.
He also wanted her to say that she had been “duped” into believing false allegations about him, according to the emails.
The emails also reveal that:
- In March 2011, Epstein asked publicist Mike Sitrick to “draft a statement that in an ideal world Fergie would put out”.
- Epstein told others “Fergie said she could organise tea in Buckingham Palace apts.. or Windsor Castle” in 2009.
- After he was released from prison, Epstein asked “Sarah” if there was “any chance of your daughters saying hello” to an unnamed person whilst they were in London in July 2010. “Sarah” replied saying: “Beatrice is in London with her father. Eugie is away with a cool boyfriend.”
- In August 2009, “Sarah” thanked Epstein for “being the brother I have always wished for” and she has “never been more touched by a friends kindness”.
- In April 2009, “Sarah” emailed Epstein calling him “my dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey” and a “legend,” adding that she is “so proud” of him.
The exchanges are all dated after Epstein was convicted in 2008 for prostituting minors.
Read more:
Epstein wanted Sarah Ferguson to say he was ‘not a pedo’, emails show
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Saturday 31 January 2026 14:30 , James ReynoldsThe U.S. Justice Department released millions of files related to the case of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, shedding further light on his expansive network of high profile figures.
Here are the main takeaways so far:
What are the main revelations from the new Epstein files release?
Prosecutors identified several 'co-conspirators' they wanted to charge
Saturday 31 January 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsA draft indictment from the Southern District of Florida from the 2000s shows that prosecutors identified at least three people they believed to be co-conspirators of Epstein.
The document alleges that between 2001 and 2005, Epstein and others conspired to “persuade, induce, and entice individuals who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in prostitution”.
The alleged accomplices had their names redacted in the 60-count indictment. They are described as facilitating meetings with the girls for Epstein.
The 19 girls in the indictment, some as young as 14, were said to have been paid several hundred dollars and sometimes used to solicit their friends.
Epstein was alleged to have threatened a girl he was abusing that if she reported what had happened to her, “bad things could happen to her”.
In 2007, federal prosecutors reached a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein, who avoided federal charges and spent 13-months in state prison.
Justice Department's redacted inner circle laid out by DOJ
Saturday 31 January 2026 13:30 , James ReynoldsA redacted diagram included in the new files shows a list of Epstein’s potential co-conspirators, as compiled by the DOJ during its investigation.
The undated diagram shows the names and photos of several known associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell and the model agent Jean-Luc Brunel.
Others were known employees of Epstein, none of whom were charged. The document shows the DOJ was investigating some people close to Epstein for possible involvement in his crimes.
What information can be redacted in the Epstein files?
Saturday 31 January 2026 13:00 , James ReynoldsWhen Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, lawmakers allowed for several pieces of information to be redacted in order to protect victims and future prosecutions.
The following is information that may be redacted:
- Personally identifiable information of victims
- Personal and medical files related to a victim
- Any depiction of child sexual abuse material or child pornography
- Anything that could jeopardize an active federal investigation
- Imagery, documents or videos that depict or contain images of death, physical abuse or injury
- Documents protected under other privileges, including deliberative process privilege, work product privilege, and attorney-client privilege
Video in new Epstein files release shows prison cell
Saturday 31 January 2026 12:35 , James ReynoldsEpstein sent £10,000 to Mandelson’s husband
Saturday 31 January 2026 12:57 , James ReynoldsJeffrey Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson’s husband just two months after his release from prison, according to a tranche of newly released documents.
The release shows Mandelson’s husband Reinaldo Avila da Silva asked Epstein for money to fund an osteopathy course and other related expenses in September 2009.
Epstein was serving an 18-month prison sentence from 2008 until July 2009 after pleading guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution.
Following the request for money, Epstein replied: “I will wire your loan amount immediated’y [sic].”
Read the full story:
Epstein sent £10k to Mandelson’s husband after his release from prison, files reveal
Epstein survivor shares 'heartbreak' at DOJ identifying victims in files release
Saturday 31 January 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsA survivor of Jeffrey Epstein shared her frustration that the DOJ had shared the names of fellow survivors in the tranche of files released overnight.
Marina Lacerda told CNN: “Today is the most saddening, deeply upsetting, heartbroken day that we have experienced as survivors.
“I can’t help but wonder why the DOJ has once again failed us. Again. It feels like they’re ignoring our need for protection.
“Especially when they’ve taken this time to redact the names of powerful individuals...but not ours. This double standard makes it even harder for us to trust them.”
Epstein talked politics with Bannon, docs show
Saturday 31 January 2026 11:53 , James ReynoldsThe new documents show Jeffrey Epstein exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Steve Bannon, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, some months before Epstein's death.
They discussed politics, travel and a documentary Bannon was said to be planning that would help salvage Epstein's reputation.
In March 2019, Bannon asked Epstein if he could supply his plane to pick him up in Rome.
A couple of months later, Epstein messaged to Bannon: "Now you can understand why trump wakes up in the middle of the night sweating when he hears you and I are friends."
The context is unclear from the documents, which were released with many redactions and little clear organization.
Recap: Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace and emailed him about ‘beautiful girl’, files show
Saturday 31 January 2026 11:30 , James ReynoldsAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor invited Jeffrey Epstein to Buckingham Palace years after the pedophile financier was convicted of sex crimes with a child, according to newly released documents.
In an email, the former prince tells Epstein: "we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy".
Epstein responds: "Already in london [sic]. what time woudl [sic] you like me and we will also need/ have private time."
Read the full story:
New Epstein file photos appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on floor with woman
Saturday 31 January 2026 11:22 , James ReynoldsPhotos included in thhe newly released files appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor crouched over a woman on the floor.
In the undated images, the royal appears to kneel on the ground as he leans over an unidentified woman, while another angle shows the woman’s abdomen being touched.
Sarah Ferguson thanked Epstein for being 'the brother I have always wished for', emails appear to show
Saturday 31 January 2026 11:19 , James ReynoldsSarah Ferguson thanked Jeffrey Epstein for "being the brother I have always wished for", an email exchange appears to show.
In the 2009 email, the sender, identified only as ‘Sarah’, thanks Epstein and refers to discussions she has been having with retailers about her "Sarah Ferguson brand".
"In just one week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted,” she says, citing interest from retailers.
"I have never been more touched by a friends kindness than your compliment to me infront of my girls,” she goes on to say. "Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."
The sender's email address is redacted.
Sarah Ferguson has a sister, Jane, and three half-siblings, including Andrew Ferguson.
Epstein survivors describe DOJ's latest release as a 'betrayal'
Saturday 31 January 2026 11:02 , Brendan RasciusIn a joint statement, a group of Epstein survivors said the files released on Friday by the Department of Justice protect the names of their abusers.
“Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous,” the statement said.
“As survivors, we should never be the ones named, scrutinized, and retraumatized while Epstein’s enablers continue to benefit from secrecy,” the statement added. “This is a betrayal of the very people this process is supposed to serve.”
Where has Trump been mentioned?
Saturday 31 January 2026 10:50 , James ReynoldsA search of the latest batch of files reveals that Donald Trump is mentioned over 3,000 times. The files are still being analysed.
Many references appear to be in an informal capacity. For example, a print-out of Trump’s Wikipedia page from 2022 is included, as are news articles mentioning his name.
One file details what appeared to be internal emails by federal investigators looking into salacious accusations involving the president and Epstein. The emails, all from August 2025, give no indication that any claims had been substantiated.
Investigators said several of the accusers were deemed not credible.
Another message, whose sender and recipient were both redacted, reads, "What does JE think of going to Mar-a-Lago after xmas instead of his island?" referring to Trump's Florida club.
The message is from 2012, years after Trump said the two men had stopped socializing.
The files also included what appeared to be a 2002 email from Trump's wife, Melania Trump, to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's partner and co-conspirator, about a New York Magazine piece on Epstein.
"Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture," the email says. "Give me a call when you are back in NY."
Epstein wrote Larry Summers he doesn't understand 'how dumb' Trump is
Saturday 31 January 2026 10:45 , Brendan RasciusJeffrey Epstein and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers discussed President Donald Trump in emails released by the Department of Justice on Friday.
“How guilty is Donald?” Summers asked Epstein in a 2017 email. He added: “of gross ignorance surely” and “of being utterly without intellect temperament for job surely.”
Epstein replied, “Your world does not understand how dumb he really is.”
Epstein permanently banned from Live functions over 'harassment, threats or abuse'
Saturday 31 January 2026 10:41 , James ReynoldsOne email released in the new files shows an Xbox Live account linked to Epstein’s email addressed was permanently banned for “harassment, threats, and/or abuse of other players”.
The email, dated 19 December 2013, reads: “This email is to notify you that your Xbox Live account privileges have been permanently suspended due to harassment, threats, and/or abuse of other players.
“This conduct has been determined to be severe, repeated, and/or excessive.”
Epstein helped connect NY Giants chairman with women: report
Saturday 31 January 2026 10:00 , Brendan RasciusJeffrey Epstein helped connect Steve Tisch, the chairman and co-owner of the New York Giants, with multiple women, according to The Athletic, citing newly released emails.
“I can invite the (Russian) … to meet if you like,” Epstein wrote in one 2013 email.
“Is she fun?” Tisch quickly responded.
Gavin Newsom calls on Trump administration to 'RELEASE ALL THE FILES!'
Saturday 31 January 2026 09:15 , Brendan RasciusCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, called on the Trump administration to release all its files on Jeffrey Epstein.
“THE TRUMP ADMIN MUST RELEASE ALL THE FILES!” Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump on social media, wrote on X on Friday evening.
Earlier on Friday, the Department of Justice published more than three million documents related to Epstein.
Some of the newly released files are heavily redacted
Saturday 31 January 2026 08:45 , Brendan RasciusSome of the files released on Friday include heavy redactions — as did those previously released by the Department of Justice.
For example, one 7-page document is completely blacked out.
Following the publication of the files, a bipartisan group of lawmakers requested a meeting with DOJ officials to discuss the redactions.
Democratic lawmaker says DOJ only released '50% of the Epstein files'
Saturday 31 January 2026 08:00 , Brendan RasciusCongressman James Walkinshaw, a Virginia Democrat, accused the Department of Justice of withholding a large share of the Epstein files, following the department’s publication of more than three million documents on Friday.
“Today, the Trump DOJ released 50% of the Epstein files, and are refusing to release the remainder,” Walkinshaw wrote on X on Friday evening. “Why are they hiding the full truth? We’ll keep fighting for the transparency demanded by the survivors of Epstein’s crimes. This cover-up won’t hold.”
Earlier, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the massive data dump complies with federal law and “marks the end of a very comprehensive” review process.
Richard Branson distances himself from ‘abhorrent’ Epstein
Saturday 31 January 2026 07:04 , Brendan Rascius
Richard Branson distances himself from ‘abhorrent’ Epstein after their emails appear
Jeffrey Epstein note released by DOJ claimed Bill Gates had an extramarital affair
Saturday 31 January 2026 06:19 , Brendan Rascius
Jeffrey Epstein note released by DOJ claimed Bill Gates had an extramarital affair
Files now contain age verification due to content
Saturday 31 January 2026 05:33 , Mike BediganThe DOJ web page displaying the Epstein files now asks users if they are 18 years or older due to possible depictions of pornography or nudity.
“They include large quantities of commercial pornography and images that were seized from Epstein’s devices, but which he did not take, or that someone around him did not take,” Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday.
Video in new Epstein files release shows prison cell
Saturday 31 January 2026 04:48 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell's booking form released as part of file dump
Saturday 31 January 2026 04:02 , Mike Bedigan
Ghislaine Maxwell claims 25 accomplices of Jeffrey Epstein reached ‘secret settlements’
Saturday 31 January 2026 03:18 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell claimed in court documents that 25 male associates of Jeffrey Epstein made “secret settlements” to avoid prosecution.
The explosive allegation appeared in a December 17 habeas corpus petition submitted by Maxwell’s attorneys seeking to overturn her criminal conviction. The full petition was published online by Courthouse News Service, a news organization that covers litigation.
Brendan Rascius has the full story:
Ghislaine Maxwell claims 25 accomplices of Epstein reached ‘secret settlements’
Watch: Deputy AG says DOJ did not protect Trump as they release more redacted Epstein files
Saturday 31 January 2026 02:46 , Mike BediganTrump's name appears over 3,000 times in new file release
Saturday 31 January 2026 02:00 , Mike BediganDonald Trump’s name name appears in the latest release more than 3,000 times, according to analysis from The Independent – using the search function on the DOJ website.
It comes despite Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche insisting that there was no new evidence that would “satisfy” people – indirectly referring to conspiracies about the president.
“I can assure that we complied with the statute, we complied with the act and we did not protect President Trump,” Blanche said during a press conference Friday morning.
Image appears to show Epstein's close network
Saturday 31 January 2026 01:30 , Mike BediganOne image included in the millions of documents shared Friday included a diagram created by federal authorities appearing to show Jeffrey Epstein’s inner circle.
The document features photos and names of a number of well-known people close to the pedophile financier, including Ghislaine Maxwell, his lawyer Darren Indyke, his accountant Richard Kahn and his longtime assistant Lesley Groff among others.
The names and faces of several other people, labelled as “employee” or “girlfriend,” were redacted.
Lawmakers request meeting with DOJ over unredacted files
Saturday 31 January 2026 01:00 , Mike BediganBipartisan lawmakers have requested a meeting with DOJ officials to discuss the thousands of redacted files in the latest release of Epstein documents.
In a letter to Todd Blanche, seen by The New York Times, Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna raised concerns over “regarding the scope and consistency of redactions.”
“Congress cannot properly assess the Department’s handling of the Epstein and Maxwell cases without access to the complete record,” the representatives wrote.
Epstein survivors release statement condemning 'incomplete' file release
Saturday 31 January 2026 00:30 , Mike BediganSurvivors of Jeffrey Epstein Survivors have issued a joint statement condemning the incomplete release of the files.
“Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous,” the statement, released Friday, said.
“As survivors, we should never be the ones named, scrutinized, and retraumatized while Epstein’s enablers continue to benefit from secrecy. This is a betrayal of the very people this process is supposed to serve.
“The Justice Department cannot claim it is finished releasing files until every legally required document is released and every abuser and enabler is fully exposed.”
The survivors demanded to hear from Attorney general Pam Bondi, who is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on February 11.
“Survivors deserve answers, and the public deserves the truth,” the statement added.
“This is not over. We will not stop until the truth is fully revealed and every perpetrator is finally held accountable. As we have always said, this is not about politics. We hope Democrats and Republicans will stand with survivors in continuing to demand the full release of the Epstein files.”
US Commerce Secretary and family visited Epstein's island in 2012, documents suggest
Saturday 31 January 2026 00:00 , Mike BediganHoward Lutnick and his family took a trip to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to the latest release of documents.
Exchanges between Lutnick’s wife, Allison Lutnick, and Epstein’s secretary suggest that the Lutnicks and another family including eight children visited the island for lunch in late December 2012.
Last year Lutnick claimed that he and his wife had been so “revolted” by Epstein around 2005 that they had come to the decision to “never be in a room with that disgusting person ever again”.
When asked about the alleged 2012 trip, a Commerce spokesperson said: "This is nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration’s accomplishments including securing Trillions of dollars in investment, delivering historic trade deals, and fighting for the American worker.
“Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."
Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not mean a person is accused of wrongdoing.
Video in new Epstein files release shows prison cell
Friday 30 January 2026 23:30 , Mike BediganClick here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
