Justice Department Refutes Claims About Trump in Latest Epstein Files

Justice Department officials have refuted allegations contained in the latest batch of unsealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents that claimed former President Donald Trump had sexual relations with minors at Epstein’s properties.

The Department issued a statement Thursday calling these assertions “totally false and defamatory,” highlighting growing concerns about misinformation surrounding the ongoing release of court records related to Epstein’s sex trafficking case.

“These documents contain numerous allegations that have been thoroughly investigated and determined to be untrue,” said a Justice Department spokesperson. “We take the spreading of such unfounded claims very seriously, especially when they involve public figures.”

The latest release represents the fourth batch of previously sealed documents from a 2015 civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate who was convicted in 2021 for her role in facilitating Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Court officials have been methodically unsealing thousands of pages of documents since early January, following a December ruling by U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska. The judge determined that many previously redacted names no longer required protection, including those of victims who have publicly identified themselves, individuals who have already been named in the media, and people who do not object to being identified.

Legal experts note that the documents contain numerous allegations and statements that have not been subjected to the rigor of court proceedings. Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, who has himself been mentioned in some of the documents, emphasized this point.

“These are unproven allegations contained in legal filings, not established facts,” Dershowitz said. “The public should approach these documents with caution and understand the difference between an allegation in a court filing and a proven claim.”

Epstein, a wealthy financier with connections to numerous powerful figures in politics, business, and academia, died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death has fueled numerous conspiracy theories and intense public interest in his associates and activities.

The latest document release has renewed attention on Epstein’s connections to prominent individuals. Besides Trump, the documents contain mentions of other high-profile figures, though many references are innocuous or represent hearsay statements rather than direct evidence.

Social media platforms have seen a surge in discussion about the documents, with many users sharing selective excerpts without context. Tech policy experts warn this environment creates fertile ground for misinformation.

“Documents like these, released piecemeal and containing unvetted allegations, create perfect conditions for misinformation to spread,” said Sarah Cohen, a digital media researcher at Stanford University. “People tend to focus on sensational claims involving famous names without understanding the legal context or verifying the information.”

Legal analysts point out that many allegations in civil case filings never meet the evidentiary standards required in criminal proceedings. Some claims are made by parties seeking leverage in litigation and may be withdrawn or modified as cases progress.

The ongoing document releases stem from Giuffre’s lawsuit against Maxwell, which was settled in 2017. Giuffre has alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell and was directed to have sex with various prominent men, including Prince Andrew. The prince has denied these allegations but reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022.

Court officials indicate more documents will be unsealed in the coming weeks as they continue working through the extensive case file. Judge Preska has emphasized the importance of transparency while balancing privacy concerns, particularly for victims and third parties who may be mentioned incidentally in the records.

The Justice Department continues to investigate Epstein’s activities and associates, with officials stating that the investigation remains active despite his death. Prosecutors have pledged to hold accountable anyone who participated in or facilitated Epstein’s alleged crimes.