According to the U.S. Department of Justice, which released over 3.5 million pages in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Trump in November 2025, Trump’s name appears thousands of times. The nature of these mentions varies significantly.
A specific document containing unproven allegations that Trump hosted “calendar girl” parties at Mar-a-Lago was published and then later removed from the Justice Department’s website. This highlights a critical point stressed by officials: the released archive is a raw collection of investigative materials. It includes not only evidence but also unsubstantiated tips, rumors, and duplicates.
The Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, explained that the DOJ “erred on the side of over-collecting,” and the files even contain “fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos” sent to the FBI by the public. The inclusion of a claim in the files is not an indication of its truth.
Connections to Israeli Figures
The files also shed light on Epstein’s international network, which included prominent Israeli figures.
· Ehud Barak: The former Israeli Prime Minister had a long-running and well-documented relationship with Epstein. Released emails and an audio recording show Barak sought Epstein’s financial advice and discussed business models for former politicians. Barak stayed at Epstein’s New York apartment multiple times.
· Espionage Allegations: One 2020 FBI report cites an unverified confidential source who claimed Epstein was “trained as a spy” and relayed information to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. These claims remain speculative and have been rejected by Israeli officials.
Responses and Political Fallout
Trump’s Response: President Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Following the latest release, he stated the documents “absolve” him and claimed it was “time for the country to get on to something else”. He has also sued publications that reported on unauthenticated material from the files, such as a sexually suggestive note allegedly written for Epstein’s birthday book.
Broader Impact: While Trump has emerged from the release with little apparent political damage so far, other figures face significant consequences. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has had to address discussions of his finances in an Epstein-Barak recording. The UK’s former ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, resigned from the Labour Party after records showed payments from Epstein. Figures like Elon Musk and Bill Gates have also had to explain continued contact with Epstein long after his 2008 conviction.
Ongoing Scrutiny: Congressional investigations continue. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify before the House later in February. Democratic lawmakers and some Epstein victims have expressed dissatisfaction, questioning whether all documents have been released and criticizing the accidental disclosure of some victims’ names in the trove.
The release of the Epstein files has provided an unprecedented, if chaotic, look into the social world of a convicted sex offender. While it details the concerning associations of many powerful people, U.S. authorities have concluded the files do not contain evidence warranting new federal prosecutions. The story remains politically active, but the legal chapter, at least for the U.S. Department of Justice, appears to be closed.