Convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell's interviews with the Justice Department have been made public as the Trump administration tries to shake claims of a supposed conspiracy surrounding the case of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and longtime associate, was interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over two days in July.
Among the many details in the lengthy transcripts was that Maxwell denied seeing Donald Trump involved in any of Epstein’s criminal activities. The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and said their friendship ended more than 15 years ago.
“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell said, according to the transcripts. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”
Maxwell is serving 20 years for helping Epstein recruit, groom and abuse young girls.
The sudden release of the transcripts Friday comes as the DOJ begins turning over documents from Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.
Key Points
- Trump was 'never inappropriate with anybody' says Maxwell
- Maxwell denies the existence of Epstein's 'client list'
- Maxwell believes Epstein's death related to 'internal' prison matter
- Todd Blanche shares full transcript and audio of Maxwell interview
- Justice Department hands over Epstein files to House Oversight committee
- Scandal over release of the Epstein files has rocked Trump administration for months
Listen: Ghislaine Maxwell discusses Bill Clinton and Epstein's island
21:58 , Oliver O'ConnellMaxwell says 'ludicrous' to believe Epstein was murdered to silence him
21:50 , Oliver O'ConnellDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asked Ghislaine Maxwell: “You don't have any reason, firsthand knowledge, or even speculation, it sounds like, to think that he was … that he was killed to kind of silence him or to keep him from going public about people he knew about?”
Maxwell responded: “I don't, no, because I think that is just part of the story that's been created that started back in 2008, '09.”
Her answer refers back to the initial investigation into Epstein in Florida that began more than a decade before the federal charges against him and his death in custody.
Blanche then said: “What is important to me is whether, you know, if — is the idea that he didn't die by suicide, that's one thing. But if to the extent that folks believe that he was murdered to keep him quiet or because he had information on rich and powerful people, that's what I — do you have any reason to believe that that's true?”
Maxwell replied: “I do not have any reason to believe that. And I also think it's ludicrous, because if that — I also happen to think if that is what they wanted, they would've had plenty of opportunity when he wasn't in jail. And if they were worried about blackmail or anything from him, he would've been a very easy target.”
Maxwell believes Epstein's death related to 'internal' prison matter
21:43 , Oliver O'ConnellDuring their interview in July, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asked: “If you don't believe that there's any truth to the allegations of blackmail or that he had kind of a list, or that he had reasons to have people hate him, why would somebody kill him in prison?”
Ghislaine Maxwell replied: “In prison, where I am, they will kill you or they will pay — somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary. That's about the going rate for a hit with a lock today.”
Blanche said: “So that goes to the third reason, which is kind of the mismanagement,” to which Maxwell responded, “Yes.”
Noting that she was referring to the “shortcomings of the Bureau of Prisons,” Blanche continued: “Which is a little bit different than my — from my question is, which is, do you think there was somebody on the outside of prison, so putting aside, what could happen on the inside on the outside of prison, who would -- who wanted him dead so badly that he would've, or she would've, you know, caused him to be killed on the inside?”
Maxwell replied: “I think that's — I don't see that. I think, is it possible? Of course it's possible. But I don't know of any reason why, and I don't believe in the blackmail or in any of this. I don't think Epstein had a hit on like that. If it is indeed murder, I believe it was an internal situation.”
Thousands of Epstein docs delivered to House Oversights Committee by DOJ
21:28 , Mike BediganMeanwhile...
Representative Jim Comer announced that the Department of Justice had “just delivered thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents to the Oversight Committee.”
“The Trump DOJ is moving at a pace far faster than anything ever produced by the Biden DOJ,” Comer wrote on X.
🚨🚨🚨
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) August 22, 2025
The Trump Department of Justice has just delivered thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents to the Oversight Committee.
The Trump DOJ is moving at a pace far faster than anything ever produced by the Biden DOJ.
Marjorie Taylor Greene delighted that Trump has been 'vindicated once again!'
21:19 , Mike BediganMarjorie Taylor Greene was over the moon following the release of the Maxwell transcripts, announcing online that Donald Trump had been “vindicated once again.”
“Ghislaine Maxwell says President Trump was never inappropriate with anyone and was a perfect gentleman in all respects!” Greene wrote on X.
“I’ll say it again, the Democrats tried to put President Trump in jail for the rest of his life, destroy his business and take his wealth, and multiple assassins tried to kill him.
“If there had ever been any evidence against Donald Trump in any of the Epstein case files, the Democrats would’ve used it against him long ago. President Trump has been vindicated once again!!!”
Ghislaine Maxwell says President Trump was never inappropriate with anyone and was a perfect gentleman in all respects!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) August 22, 2025
I’ll say it again, the Democrats tried to put President Trump in jail for the rest of his life, destroy his business and take his wealth, and multiple… pic.twitter.com/WFaJUZsCps
Todd Blanche shares full transcript and audio of Maxwell interview
21:09 , Mike BediganIn the interest of transparency, @TheJusticeDept is releasing the complete transcript and audio of my proffer of Ms. Maxwell. The transcript and audio are linked below.https://t.co/TQW5migemm
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) August 22, 2025
Maxwell ‘absolutely never’ saw Trump engage in inappropriate activity with Epstein’s circle, bombshell interview reveals
21:01 , Mike BediganThe Justice Department has released the transcripts of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s interview with Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in helping Epstein recruit, groom and abuse young girls. Blanche interviewed her last month over two days in Tallahassee, Florida.
In the interview, Maxwell told Blanche she never witnessed President Donald Trump, who was once friends with Epstein, doing anything “inappropriate.”
Katie Hawkinson has the full story:
DOJ releases transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwell’s interview on Epstein case
More flattering words for Trump
20:52 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell appeared keen to appeal to the president in her interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
When discussing trips she went on with rich and powerful people, she noted that there were so many she didn't recall them all.
"I went on a lot of trips. Now I don't recall all of them. Not because I'm trying to be evasive or anything, but I just don't remember them all,” she said, per a transcript of their interview.
“And after a while, you know, in the incredible job that you have, all of you, that when you're so high pressured and you're spending so much time with extraordinary people like you do with President Trump, it – it can blur."
Ghislaine Maxwell discusses Epstein's relationship with Trump and whether 'the list' exists
20:46 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell does not believe Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide
20:42 , Mike BediganThe disgraced British socialite does not believe that her former partner died by suicide, she told the DOJ.
Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. While the official finding was that he died by suicide, his death has sparked conspiracy theories.
"Do you have a view of Mr. Epstein of whether he committed suicide or whether something else happened?" Deputy AG Blanche asked Maxwell.
"I do not believe he died by suicide, no," she responded.
"And do you believe that -- do you have any speculation or view of who killed him?" Blanche then asked.
"I -- no, I don't," Maxwell said.
'Patently absurd': Maxwell shoots down stories of being a pilot for Bill Clinton
20:37 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell said rumors that she had once flown former president Bill Clinton in a helicopter to Jeffrey Epstein’s island was “patently absurd.”
The claims were made by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. Giuffre said she spent time with the former president on Epstein's island, Little St James in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and that she flew there with Clinton in a helicopter piloted by Maxwell.
“The story as told is so patently absurd, that I flew [Clinton] in the helicopter,” Maxwell said in her DOJ interview last month.
“I am a helicopter pilot, that is true. But the notion of me flying an ex-president in a machine. That would terrify me. I would never even take that responsibility. Can you imagine? Yeah, no.”
Maxwell says Bill Clinton did not visit Epstein's island
20:31 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell says the former U.S. president Bill Clinton was not a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, and that she did not believe he had visited the disgraced financier’s private island.
“President Clinton was my friend, not Epstein's friend... So I guess, indirectly, through Mr. Epstein, because it was with his plane, but I'd have been there anyway without him,” she told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“Do you know whether, for 17 example, President Clinton ever received a massage?” Blanche asked her.
Maxwell replied: “I don't believe he did.”
Blanche continued: “I think you said... you're not aware of President Clinton ever going to [Epstein’s private] island?”
“He never. Absolutely never went,” Maxwell replied.
“And I can be sure of that because there's no way he would've gone – I don't believe there's any way that he would've gone to the island, had I not been there. Because I don't believe he had an independent friendship, if you will, with Epstein.”
Maxwell denies the existence of Epstein's 'client list'
20:12 , Mike BediganGhislaine Maxwell’s has denied the existence of Jeffrey Epstein’s highly controversial “client list” that has long-been the source of conspiracy theories.
During an interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, was asked about the list – which was alleged to have contained the information of associates of the deceased pedophile financier.
“There's been a lot of conversations about whether Mr. Epstein maintained, like, a list of people, like a book of famous people that he knew.,” Blanche asked her.
“Like a, it's called a black book or a client list or a list. Did you know of the existence of any such list?”
Maxwell replied: “There is no list.”
Maxwell says Trump 'absolutely never' was inappropriate with masseuses
20:08 , Mike BediganMaxwell was asked directly by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about Donald Trump’s relationship with Epstein, and admitted that she didn't know how they became friends. The pair socialized in New York and Palm Beach before Trump cut off contact and dubbed Epstein a "creep".
“I don't know how they met, and I don't know how they became friends,” Maxwell said.
“I certainly saw them together and I remember the few times I observed them together, but they were friendly. I mean, they seemed friendly.”
Blanche continued: “And did you ever hear Mr. Epstein or anybody say that President Trump had done anything inappropriate with masseuses or with anybody in your world?”
“Absolutely never, in any context,” Maxwell replied.
The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein investigation.
Ghislaine Maxwell hailed Trump's 'extraordinary achievement' in becoming president
20:04 , Mike BediganIn the Maxwell transcripts, the convicted sex offender appeared keen to get in the good graces of President Donald Trump. She socialized with Trump alongside Epstein although the president has said he cut off contact with the late financier around 15 years ago.
She praised Trump for his “extraordinary achievement” on becoming president.
“So my father liked him very much, and he was loved – really liked his [first] wife [Ivana Trump] as well, because we were both Czechoslovakian,” the transcript read. “And as far as I'm concerned, President Trump was always very cordial and very kind to me.”
“And I just want to say that I find... I admire his extraordinary achievement in becoming the President now.
“And I like him, and I've always liked him. So that is the sum and substance of my entire relationship with him.”
DOJ planning to publicly release Blanche-Maxwell interview, source says
19:53 , Mike BediganThe Justice Department will publicly released a transcript of an interview conducted between Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The transcript of the high-profile interview may be released as soon as this afternoon, sources told CNN.
'Hoax, hoax, hoax': Trump doubles down on Democrat Epstein conspiracy
19:47 , Mike BediganDonald Trump doubled down on his claims that the Epstein case was a Democratic hoax Friday, when asked about the DOJ file transfer to the House Oversights Committee.
“I don't know anything about that, but I have said to Pam and everybody else, give them everything, because it's a Democrat hoax. That's just a hoax,” he said.
“The whole Epstein thing is a Democrat hoax.”
Watch: Trump reacts to release of Epstein files
19:31 , Mike BediganTrump responds to DOJ file release to Congress
19:15 , Mike BediganDonald Trump said he “couldn’t care less” that files about the Jeffrey Epstein case were being sent by the DOJ to Congress, telling reporters that he was “in support of keeping [the case] totally open.”
“You got a lot of people that it could be mentioned out of those files that don't deserve to be people we knew everybody in Palm Beach,” he said.
“I don't know anything about that, but I have said to Pam [Bondi] and everybody else, give them everything, because it's a Democrat hoax.”
DOJ Epstein records could total 100,000 pages
19:00 , Mike BediganA federal judge who on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts from the Jeffrey Epstein case, noted the voluminous records held by the DOJ.
Judge Richard Berman wrote that the scant information contained in 70 pages of Epstein grand jury transcripts “pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials in the hands of the Department of Justice," which he said totals around 100,000 pages.
“The Government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein Files,” Berman wrote.
Will this centuries old law help the Democrats release the Epstein files
18:38 , Mike BediganJudge previously rejected request to unseal grand jury transcripts on Epstein
18:20 , Mike BediganThe transfer of DOJ files on the Jeffrey Epstein to Congress comes after a federal judge on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts from the case.
Judge Richard Berman joinined two other judges who declined to release similar records from investigations into the late financier's sexual abuse of young women and girls.
Berman, who presided over the 2019 case, ruled a week after another Manhattan federal judge turned down the government’s request to release transcripts from the grand jury that indicted Epstein’s longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell.
Barring reversal on appeal, Berman’s decision appears to foreclose the possibility of federal courts releasing Epstein-related grand jury testimony.
The Epstein List: All the names revealed before Trump and Bondi said there was nothing to see
17:55 , Mike BediganIt is well documented that Jeffrey Epstein socialized with royalty, politicians and celebrities, with more than 100 names mentioned previously in unredacted court documents released in January 2024.
The names in the court documents released last year – which include Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew – were part of a 2015 defamation lawsuit filed by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, against the sex offender’s madam Ghislaine Maxwell.
Alex Ross, Io Dodds, James Liddell and Rhian Lubin take a closer look:
The Epstein List: Names revealed before Trump and Bondi said there was nothing to see
Bongino to work alongside ‘co-deputy director’ of FBI after sparring with administration over Epstein files
17:38 , Mike BediganThe FBI has moved to appoint Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as its new “co-deputy director,” meaning its current deputy, Dan Bongino, will be expected to share his duties in the role in the future.
The appointment was made by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel and comes after Bongino, 50, a former Secret Service agent and podcaster, reportedly clashed with Bondi over the administration’s failure to release the Jeffrey Epstein files last month.
Joe Sommerlad has more:
Bongino to work with ‘co-deputy director’ of FBI after feud over Epstein files
How many documents will the DOJ pass to Congress?
17:19 , Mike BediganIn short, we don’t know.
The Associated Press reported that it’s not clearer how many documents may be produced.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, told the outlet in a statement: "There are many records in DOJ’s custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted.
"I appreciate the Trump Administration’s commitment to transparency and efforts to provide the American people with information about this matter."
Watch: Epstein story has become a 'nothingburger', data expert says
17:02 , Mike BediganWhat's happening today?
16:45 , Mike BediganHere’s what we know and what we’re expecting today:
- The Justice Department is expected to start turning over documents from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.
- It’s not known exactly how many documents will be turned over, though Kentucky Rep. James Comer, the Republican committee chair, said in a statement that the DOJ has many records it would “take time” to ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material is redacted.
- Once received, the committee plans to make public some of the Epstein files, a spokesperson told CNN, though it is not clear when that will be.
- It comes after unsuccessful attempts by the Trump administration to have grand jury transcripts related to the case to be made public. On Wednesday, a Manhattan judge determined there was insufficient justification to unseal the records.
Why Prince Andrew might not be the problem some people think he is
16:26 , Mike BediganThe Duke of York’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein prompted a spectacular fall from grace, both in the public eye and within the Royal Family itself.
But is he still the problem some think he is asks Alan Rusbridger:
Why Prince Andrew might not be the problem some people think he is
Watch: DOJ to share Epstein files with Congress
16:18 , Mike BediganOver a quarter of 2024 Trump voters would not pick him again due to Epstein
16:04 , Mike BediganOver a quarter of people who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 would not pick him again due to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein, a recent poll has found.
Specifically, among Trump voters who believe that the president has mishandled the release of the Epstein files, 26 percent indicated that they would not vote for Trump if they had the opportunity to vote again in the 2024 election.
It is clear that the Epstein scandal has hurt Trump among his base of voters, which may have the potential to impact the midterm elections in November 2026.
The national poll was conducted by University of Massachusetts Amherst on behalf of The Conversation.
Americans think Trump is 'fumbling' the Epstein matter
15:46 , Mike BediganAmericans are paying close attention to the prolonged Epstein controversy, with the majority believing that Donald Trump is “fumbling” the matter, a new poll has found.
A recent University of Massachusetts Amherst national poll, cited by the Associated Press, found that 3 in 4 respondents have heard, read or seen “a lot” or “some” about Epstein.
Seven in 10 Americans believe that Trump is handling the matter “not well” – even some of his most loyal supporters.
43 percent of Republicans, 43 percent of conservatives, and 47 percent of those who voted for him in 2024 felt this way, the poll found.
According to The Conversation, who conducted the poll, analysis of the 2024 Trump supporters found “significant cracks in the MAGA facade.”
Among members of this group, 28 percent now disapprove of Trump as president.
Watch: Trump walks away from Epstein question
15:20 , Mike BediganPresident Donald Trump’s ongoing frustration with the prevalence of interest around the Epstein case has been fairly obvious for a while now...
What really happened on Epstein’s island?
15:05 , Joe SommerladThe late pedophile’s accusers say his private paradise of Little St James in the U.S. Virgin Islands was the center of an international sex trafficking ring.
Io Dodds has this unflinching, in-depth look at what we know took place there.
Fox News star fails to mention Epstein files when interviewing Bondi and Patel
14:35 , Joe SommerladAhead of his dual interviews with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel last week, Fox News star Sean Hannity boasted that he would not ask them about their botched handling of the files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“If I hear that name one more time, my head's going to explode,” Hannity had exclaimed on his radio show a day earlier.
Indeed, when he got the chance to speak to both Patel and Bondi hours later, Hannity completely sidestepped any questions related to the Epstein case, instead focusing most of his attention on the administration’s claims that former President Barack Obama directed a “treasonous conspiracy” against Trump with the investigation into Russia’s 2016 election meddling.
Justin Baragona was watching.
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Before interviewing Patel and Bondi, Hannity bragged he wouldn’t ask about Epstein
Watch: Hunter Biden refuses to apologize to first lady over Epstein allegations
14:05 , Joe SommerladThe son of former president Joe Biden doubled-down on claims he made in a recent YouTube interview relating to Melania Trump after he was threatened with a lawsuit demanding a retraction and an apology.
This was his response.
Prince Andrew book edits out claims about Melania Trump’s relationship to Epstein
13:35 , Joe SommerladA new book about Britain’s Duke of York has been edited to remove claims about the first lady’s alleged friendship with Epstein.
The book, called Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, written by Andrew Lownie, has made headlines in recent weeks after making claims about the disgraced duke’s life.
An entire chapter is dedicated to Prince Andrew’s infamous friendship with the late sex offender.
The chapter also included a claim that Donald Trump and his wife had been introduced by the disgraced financier, which has now been edited out of future editions.
Here’s more from Athena Stavrou.
Prince Andrew book edits out claims about Melania Trump’s relationship to Epstein
Bongino to work with ‘co-deputy director’ of FBI after Epstein feud
13:05 , Joe SommerladDeputy Director of the FBI Dan Bongino, previously a conspiracy-minded podcaster, reportedly had a major argument with AG Bondi over the handling of the files last month.
Missouri AG Andrew Bailey has now been appointed to share his duties.
Here’s more on the shakeup at the bureau caused by the Epstein earthquake.
Bongino to work with ‘co-deputy director’ of FBI after feud over Epstein files
The Epstein List: All the names revealed before Trump and Bondi said there was nothing to see
12:35 , Joe SommerladIt is well documented that Jeffrey Epstein socialized with royalty, politicians and celebrities, with more than 100 names mentioned previously in unredacted court documents released in January 2024.
The names in the court documents released last year – which include Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew – were part of a 2015 defamation lawsuit filed by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, against the sex offender’s madam Ghislaine Maxwell.
Alex Ross, Io Dodds, James Liddell and Rhian Lubin take a closer look.
The Epstein List: Names revealed before Trump and Bondi said there was nothing to see
Watch: Joe Rogan accused Trump of ‘gaslighting’ his supporters over Epstein
12:05 , Joe SommerladThe president’s efforts to bury the uproar have not been a success, with the influential podcaster just one of many right-leaning voices not satisfied by his handling of it all.
Watch: Trump attempts to shift the Epstein narrative onto the Clintons
11:35 , Joe SommerladThe president has tried a number of different strategies to rid himself of the Epstein furore over the last six weeks, from rebuking his own supporters and the media to attempting to shift the focus onto other alleged friends of the late sex offender like Bill Clinton, who has repeatedly denied knowning about the financier’s crimes.
Trump has privately pondered if Epstein accusers are just ‘Democrats’ trying to make him look bad
11:05 , Joe SommerladBehind closed doors, the president has allegedly grown frustrated as his efforts to move past the Epstein uproar have been undermined.
Trump has even allegedly questioned whether some survivors and their families are “just trying to make him look bad.”
James Liddell reports.
Trump has privately pondered if Epstein accusers are just ‘Democrats,’ report claims
Judge shoots down Trump DOJ bid to unseal Epstein grand jury notes as ‘diversion’ from releasing unseen files
10:35 , Joe SommerladThe DOJ has struck out on all requests to federal judges to unseal grand jury transcripts and other materials related to the late sex offender.
On Wednesday, a judge in New York denied the government’s request to unseal the documents, noting that the content of grand jury transcripts in the sex trafficking case “pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials” already in the hands of the DOJ.
District Judge Richard Berman, who presided over Epstein’s case before he died by suicide in 2019, agreed with another judge who last week called the government’s request a “diversion” tactic to distract from public pressure on the Trump administration to release the so-called “Epstein Files.”
“The government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein file,” Berman wrote Wednesday.
“By comparison, the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession,” he added. “The grand jury testimony is merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct.”
Alex Woodward reports.
Judge shoots down Trump DOJ bid to unseal Epstein grand jury notes as ‘diversion’
Scandal over release of the Epstein files has rocked Trump administration for months
10:05 , Joe SommerladThe president has endured a nightmare summer, haunted by the spectre of Jeffrey Epstein after the FBI and DOJ tried and failed to lay it to rest.
Here’s Oliver O’Connell with a full day-by-day timeline of how the Epstein investigation files caused a deep rift in Trump’s MAGA base.
The Epstein Files: How the saga unfolded within Trump’s administration
Committee plans to make files public, spokesperson says
09:35 , Joe SommerladOnce the House Oversight panel has received the files from the DOJ, the committee plans to make public some of the Epstein files, a spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
However, it is not clear precisely when that will be.
Here’s Isobel Keane with the latest.
Congress plans to release Epstein files to public after it gets them Friday: report
Chair James Comer says redactions will be made to protect identities of Epstein sex-trafficking victims
09:05 , Joe SommerladKentucky Rep. Comer, the Republican chair of the Oversight Committee, said in a statement that the DOJ has many records and gave it time to ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material is redacted.
DOJ will ‘begin to provide’ Epstein-related records Friday, Comer says. https://t.co/PCxlLW4ABG pic.twitter.com/w2mwTO7ngj
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 19, 2025
Justice Department to hand over Epstein files to House Oversight committee on Friday
08:35 , Joe SommerladThe Justice Department is expected to start turning over documents from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee from today.
Earlier this month, the committee subpoenaed the DOJ regarding the criminal case against the late convicted sex offender and financier that has recently shaken the top levels of President Donald Trump’s administration and been a consistent magnet for conspiracy theories.
The DOJ and FBI’s abrupt announcement in early July that Epstein left behind no “client list” and that he died by suicide in a New York City jail cell in August 2019 infuriated Trump’s supporters, many of whom had hoped to see the disgraced billionaire’s powerful associates brought to justice and believed he may have been murdered in prison to silence him.
Trump himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein but was once friendly with him socially in New York and Florida and has struggled to make the story go away and is suing The Wall Street Journal for suggesting he once sent the late pedophile a “bawdy” birthday doodle.
Here’s Josh Marcus on the files handover.
Congress to start getting Epstein files later this week from DOJ, lawmaker claims
Good morning
08:25 , Joe SommerladHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Donald Trump’s administration as the Justice Department is expected to turn over documents relating to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation to the House Oversight Committee.
