DOJ releases new Epstein files with age-verification notes and links to high-profile figures

A Friday release by the U.S. Department of Justice adds new detail to the Jeffrey Epstein case, posting hundreds of thousands of pages of records in four data sets. The materials come as part of a long-running disclosure prompted by a law signed by President Donald Trump that cleared the way for declassification and public posting. DOJ officials say the posts expand the public record about Epstein’s activities and associates, including images from his homes and a set of notes from FBI interviews. The files show Epstein’s depravity in explicit terms, including a May 2019 interview where a redacted participant describes Epstein asking for her ID to confirm she was under 18, and notes that Epstein insisted he would not believe the girl’s age.

Among the newly released materials is a set of investigative notes labeled EFTA00004179 describing a May 2, 2019 FBI interview. The handwritten notes mention that a redacted person witnessed Epstein "asking for ID" from a girl to verify she was under 18 and that he did not accept her stated age. The notes also indicate another redacted associate had "messed up by bringing more older girls." Additional lines describe Epstein reacting to an associate over bringing a "Dominican, darker-skinned" girl, with an apparent preference against "Spanish or dark girl." The notes repeatedly reference Epstein's stated preference for younger victims, noting ages roughly in the mid-teens and describing Epstein's comment as "You know what I like" in a moment that is understood to refer to young, petite, underage individuals. While the notes do not definitively confirm a 13-year-old was brought to Epstein, they describe a pattern of seeking younger-adjacent victims and document graphic imagery of females described as 14 to 17 years old in some photographs included in the files.

Officials cautioned that the four datasets released Friday cover material from three investigations: a 2005 Palm Beach police inquiry, the 2008 federal case that resulted in Epstein’s controversial non-prosecution plea deal, and a 2019 Manhattan inquiry that was never completed after Epstein died in jail. The releases also include images and records tied to Epstein’s social circle, with photographs showing high-profile figures at parties and other events. Names and identities of some individuals remain redacted, but the files reference associations with Clinton, Gates, Spacey, Jagger, and others, alongside Epstein’s associates. The material also mentions Donald Trump in relation to Epstein’s personal contacts, including a redacted entry for Trump in Epstein’s address book and a novelty check for $22,500 bearing the signature "D. Trump" in the memo line. The DOJ notes the presence of a black-and-white framed photo described in the records with a caption that reads "once in a blue moon." The documents were presented as part of a broader DOJ effort to shed light on Epstein's activities and network.

The White House and Justice Department described the series of disclosures as among the most extensive releases in history. The latest tranche comes after two prior releases this week that reference Epstein's ties to a number of well-known individuals, including former President Bill Clinton, and mentions of other figures such as Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, and Kevin Spacey. The documents also include material tied to Epstein’s social circuit and business dealings, as well as a background thread detailing his interactions with people who later faced public scrutiny. The presence of Trump in a redacted entry within Epstein’s contact book, and the appearance of a novelty check linked to Trump, have drawn attention but are presented in the context of records that remain heavily redacted in places.

Ahead of Friday’s release, President Trump declined to answer questions about the documents at an Oval Office event with pharmaceutical executives, saying he did not want to “spoil” the moment by addressing the materials. In remarks carried by reporters, Trump suggested there would be time for questions later but did not engage on the topic during the event. The White House emphasized that the disclosures are part of a broader commitment to transparency, while critics have urged careful read­ing to understand how Epstein’s network operated and who may still be affected by the records.

The latest release underscores the long and ongoing effort to catalog Epstein’s activities and associations, a task that remains unfinished given the volume of material and the redactions that shield victims’ identities and some sensitive details. Analysts say the trove continues to complicate the public record surrounding Epstein and his circle, and they expect journalists, researchers, and legal observers to scrutinize the documents for new information about victims, investigations, and potential links to other public figures. The DOJ has indicated it will continue to post materials as they are reviewed and processed, with additional releases anticipated in the months ahead.