The US Justice Department has made public a significant new batch of documents related to the investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. This latest disclosure, the largest to date, comprises nearly 30,000 pages of material, adding another layer to the complex and long-running probe.
Flight Logs and Unverified Allegations Surface
Among the newly released files are internal records indicating that former US President Donald Trump took multiple trips on Epstein's private jet during the 1990s. The documents note at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, a higher number than previously known in the public domain. It is crucial to note that the inclusion of an individual's name in such social or travel records does not, in itself, constitute evidence of illegal activity.
The trove also contains an unverified and heavily redacted FBI intake report from October 27, 2020. This report records a tip from a former limousine driver who claimed to have overheard a disturbing phone conversation involving Trump and Epstein in 1995. The driver's account, as filed, further alleged that a woman involved later contacted police and was subsequently found dead in January 2000, ruled a suicide. Authorities have made little to no determination regarding the credibility of these allegations.
Justice Department Dismisses Claims as "Unfounded and False"
In a statement released on the social media platform X, the Justice Department directly addressed the sensational claims found within some of the documents. The department stated that certain files include "untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election."
The authority was unequivocal in its dismissal, describing the allegations as lacking any credible basis. "To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already," the DOJ asserted. It emphasized that the legal requirement for transparency motivated the release, but the inclusion of such claims does not validate them.
Trump's Response and Ongoing Political Pressure
Donald Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein. This week, he reiterated his position, framing the focus on the Epstein case as a political distraction orchestrated by Democrats. He asserted that he had "cut ties" with Epstein long before the financier's arrest in 2019.
The document release occurs amid sustained pressure from some Democratic lawmakers and transparency advocates who have pushed for the full disclosure of Epstein-related files. Proponents argue the public has a right to access government records, even when they contain unverified information. This latest batch follows a previous release where some files were temporarily removed over concerns about protecting victims' identities before being restored.
The nearly 30,000 pages are now available on the official Justice Department website, marking a continued effort towards procedural transparency in one of the most high-profile criminal cases of recent times.
