On December 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a substantial new tranche of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, comprising nearly 30,000 pages across more than 11,000 files. This batch, the third in a series mandated by a law signed by President Donald Trump in November 2025, includes emails, flight records, photos, videos, and other investigative materials. Notably, it features numerous references to President Trump, primarily centered on flight logs from Epstein's private jet in the 1990s.
A key document is an internal email dated January 7 or 8, 2020 (sources vary slightly on the exact date), from an unidentified assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. The prosecutor alerted colleagues that newly received flight records showed Trump had traveled on Epstein's private jet "many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware)." Specifically, Trump was listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996. At least four of these flights included Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate and convicted accomplice, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
The flights were mostly domestic, shuttling between locations such as Palm Beach, Florida; New York/New Jersey airports; and Washington, D.C. Other passengers on some flights included Trump's then-wife Marla Maples, his young daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric. One 1993 flight listed only Epstein and Trump as passengers. Another had just three: Epstein, Trump, and a redacted 20-year-old individual. Two additional flights included women described as potential witnesses in a prospective case against Maxwell.
Importantly, the email and related documents contain no allegations of criminal wrongdoing by Trump. The prosecutor's note was for "situational awareness" as investigators prepared for Maxwell's eventual indictment in July 2020. These flight logs were later introduced as public exhibits during Maxwell's 2021 trial, confirming the trips but not linking them to Epstein's criminal activities.
Trump and Epstein were known social acquaintances in the 1990s and early 2000s, often seen together at events in New York and Palm Beach. Trump has stated they had a falling out around 2004, calling Epstein a "creep" in later interviews. In a 2024 social media post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "I was never on Epstein’s Plane, or at his ‘stupid’ Island." There is no evidence in any released documents that Trump visited Epstein's private island, Little St. James, often referred to in media as "Pedophile Island."
The DOJ accompanied the release with a statement on X emphasizing that some documents include "untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election." The department asserted these claims are "unfounded and false," noting that credible evidence would have been used politically long ago. Despite this, the DOJ proceeded with the release "out of our commitment to the law and transparency," with redactions to protect victims.
Other contents in the batch include photos of Epstein with various figures (some previously public), internal discussions about potential co-conspirators, subpoenas (including one to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort for employment records, likely related to accuser Virginia Giuffre), and materials on Epstein's 2019 death in custody, ruled a suicide. One purported jailhouse letter from Epstein to Larry Nassar was later confirmed fake by the FBI due to inconsistencies like postmark location and handwriting.
The release follows criticism of earlier batches for heavy redactions and delays beyond the December 19 deadline set by Congress. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have demanded more details on unprosecuted "co-conspirators" mentioned in emails. Victim advocates and lawmakers from both parties have pushed for full transparency, though some Republicans expressed frustration over perceived political timing.
Trump, on December 22, downplayed the files, telling reporters they were a distraction used by rivals to undermine his administration's successes. He has denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes.
Epstein, a financier, pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida and faced federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 before dying in jail. His case has fueled ongoing speculation and conspiracy theories, but official rulings uphold suicide.
This latest disclosure provides more context on Trump's pre-political association with Epstein but adds no new accusations of misconduct. The DOJ has indicated further releases may follow as vetting continues.
