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20,000 new Epstein documents just dropped. Here’s what we learned
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20,000 new Epstein documents just dropped. Here’s what we learned

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This story contains references to suicide.
A new political storm has erupted in Washington after politicians in the US released more than 20,000 previously unseen documents linked to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee – a federal body that oversees government functions – have released a series of emails between Epstein and his associates, including US President Donald Trump.
Republicans accused Democrats of cherry-picking a handful of messages to advance a false narrative, and responded by releasing another 20,000 Epstein-related documents.
The escalation comes as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote next week on whether the Justice Department should be forced to release all of its unclassified Epstein data.

Here are the key takeaways.

Emails claim Trump was ‘aware of the girls’

The Democrats’ initial release included emails that revived long-standing questions about Trump’s past relationship with Epstein and how much he knew about Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.

In a 2019 message to author Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that Trump was “aware of the girls” — although it was not clear what that phrase meant.

Other emails released by Republicans show Epstein writing that Trump “came to my house often” but “never got a massage.”

Epstein’s hostility toward Trump

Several messages revealed Epstein’s increasingly negative view of Trump over the years.
In a 2017 email, Epstein wrote: “I’ve met some very bad people. None as bad as Trump. Not a single decent cell in his body.”
In a 2011 message to Ghislaine Maxwell, who conspired with the sex offender to recruit underage girls she and Epstein abused, Epstein referred to Trump as “that dog that hasn’t barked.” He also claimed that Trump “spent hours at my house” with a victim whose name has been redacted.

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for sex trafficking. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Jeffrey Epstein (left) and Donald Trump at Trump’s Florida estate in 1997. Source: Getty / Davidoff Studios Photography

Other emails show Epstein labels Trump “incredibly angry,” “crazy” and a “maniac” showing signs of “early dementia.”

The White House criticized Democrats’ smaller document release, saying it was selectively chosen to make Trump look bad.

“These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Andrew, formerly known as Prince, reenters the picture

The new documents also mention Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, suggesting he remained in contact with Epstein for longer than once thought.

In a message from March 2011 – four months after Andrew said he had cut ties – he wrote to Epstein and Maxwell about an upcoming Daily Mail story: “I don’t know anything about this! You need to SAY that, please. This has NOTHING to do with me. I can’t take this anymore.”

Another email from 2011 appears to challenge Mountbatten-Windsor’s efforts to distance herself from prosecutor Virginia Giuffre. Andrew previously said he had “absolutely no memory” of a photo taken with Giuffre and questioned whether the image is real.

But Epstein – who allegedly took the photo – wrote: “Yes, she was on my plane, and yes, she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have done.”

Republicans release 20,000 documents

In response, Republicans have released a cache of 20,000 Epstein-related documents in which Trump’s name appears regularly, though usually in the context of his political career or allegations of sexual conduct.

In one conversation, Epstein refers to a 20-year-old girlfriend he “gave to Donald” in 1993, and talks about photos of “Donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen,” although it is not clear whether he is joking.

Trump accused Democrats on Wednesday of releasing the emails to distract from the administration’s record 43-day shutdown, writing on Truth Social: “The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they will do anything to deflect from how poorly they have done on the Shutdown and so many other topics.”
Leavitt accused Democrats of redacting the victim’s name in the released emails because the victim was Virginia Giuffre. who committed suicide in Western Australia in April and had called Trump friendly without accusing him of any wrongdoing in her posthumous memoir.
Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell pose for a photo together at a party.

Donald Trump, his current wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell together at the Mar-a-Lago club in 2000. Source: Getty / Getty Images

Trump has vehemently and consistently denied knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking. He has said that he and Epstein were once friends before they fell out.

House votes on release of files

Next week’s vote could determine how much of the US government’s Epstein material becomes public.
The proposal – known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act – would require the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents, investigative materials and correspondence related to Epstein.
The vote took place as Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in, providing a majority to force a vote in the House — something Trump and some Republican leaders have opposed.

Reports from Axios and others indicate that Trump and senior officials have pressured Republicans Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace to withdraw their support, which would hold up the vote.

The resolution — introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and co-sponsored by 11 Republicans and 39 Democrats — presents a political dilemma for Republicans in the House of Representatives, torn between loyalty to Trump and appeals from some of Epstein’s alleged victims.
Massie said politicians need to think long-term: “When they think about what’s the right thing to do, it’s pretty clear: You vote for it.”
“But if they only think politically, they need to look beyond 2028 and ask themselves whether they want this on their record for the rest of their political career.”
Even if the bill passes the House of Representatives, it still needs Senate support — and Trump’s signature — to become law.
– With additional reporting by Reuters and Australian Associated Press.
Readers seeking crisis support can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for under 25s). More information and mental health support is available at Beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.

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