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New Epstein Files Release Sparks Controversy Over Trump References
A substantial new release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has drawn attention for its numerous references to former President Donald Trump, prompting an unusual public statement from the Justice Department disclaiming some of the allegations as “unfounded and false.”
The documents, released early Tuesday as part of what the DOJ labeled “Data Set 8,” include a handwritten letter Epstein purportedly wrote from prison to convicted sex offender Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor serving time for molesting female athletes. The letter, postmarked three days after Epstein’s death by suicide, appears to reference Trump without directly naming him.
“As you know by now, I have taken the ‘short route’ home. Good luck! We shared one thing … our love and caring for young ladies and the hope they’d reach their full potential,” the letter stated. It continued with a more controversial claim: “Our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to ‘grab snatch,’ whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system. Life is unfair.”
Prison authorities returned the letter unopened to the sender, marked with “return to sender” as Nassar was no longer at the listed address. Such delays in processing mail are common in correctional facilities, where correspondence is reviewed before delivery.
In an unusual move, the Justice Department issued a statement on social media addressing allegations contained in the release. “Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the DOJ wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”
Another significant document in the release is a January 2020 email from an unnamed assistant U.S. attorney suggesting Trump had traveled on Epstein’s private jet “many more times than previously has been reported.” According to this email, Trump was listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996. One flight reportedly carried only three passengers: Trump, Epstein, and an unidentified 20-year-old whose name was redacted.
The email also noted that passengers on two other flights included women who were potential witnesses in the government’s case against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate who was later convicted on federal sex trafficking charges.
Trump has previously acknowledged a past friendship with Epstein but claimed they had a falling out, after which he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago property. No formal allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein have been made against Trump, who has maintained he was unaware of any illegal activities by Epstein during their acquaintance.
The document release also provided insight into Epstein’s substantial wealth. Court filings from the U.S. Virgin Islands regarding his estate revealed assets exceeding $575 million, including $56.5 million in cash, more than $14 million in fixed-income investments, $112 million in equities, and $18 million in vehicles and aircraft. His hedge fund and private equity investments totaled nearly $200 million. According to the documents, Epstein left his entire estate to his brother, Mark.
Tuesday’s release comprised nearly 30,000 additional pages of Epstein-related documents, though the Justice Department indicated many more remain to be disclosed. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that the volume of material made it impossible to meet the original Friday deadline for releasing all records related to the case.
The first batch of documents appeared Friday afternoon on a dedicated Justice Department website. Many contain heavy redactions, and initial high traffic volumes forced visitors into a virtual waiting room. A previously non-functional search feature is now operational, allowing researchers and journalists to more efficiently navigate the extensive collection of materials.
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6 Comments
I appreciate the Justice Department’s efforts to address the false claims arising from this Epstein files release. It’s important to separate fact from fiction, especially when sensitive political matters are involved. A balanced, impartial approach is crucial to uncover the truth.
The DOJ’s statement is a welcome clarification amid the swirl of accusations. We should be wary of jumping to conclusions without solid proof, regardless of who is involved. A thorough, unbiased investigation is needed to shed light on the truth of these matters.
This is a sensitive topic that deserves careful examination. The DOJ’s statement refuting certain claims is important, as we should be wary of unsubstantiated allegations, especially regarding high-profile figures. A thorough, objective investigation is needed to determine the facts.
The DOJ’s public refutation of these claims is an important step in ensuring the integrity of the investigation. While the Epstein case is undoubtedly complex, we must resist the temptation to spread unverified information, no matter who it may implicate. Rigorous, impartial analysis is key.
This Epstein files release is certainly raising a lot of eyebrows. The DOJ’s intervention to refute certain claims is a prudent move, as we must be cautious about unsubstantiated allegations, especially when they involve high-profile figures. A measured, evidence-based approach is essential.
The release of these Epstein files is certainly stirring up a lot of controversy and speculation. While the references to Trump are troubling, the DOJ’s refutation highlights the need to approach such claims with caution and scrutiny. Reliable evidence should guide our understanding of this complex case.