1st batch of Epstein files shows Clinton in hot tub, has little mention of Trump

The US Justice Department on Friday released hundreds of thousands of pages of documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with the newly disclosed files repeatedly referencing former Democratic President Bill Clinton while containing little material related to incumbent President Donald Trump.

The precise number of documents made public under the congressionally mandated deadline remained unclear. Earlier in the day, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News that the department planned to release "several hundred thousand" records on Friday, with hundreds of thousands more to follow in the coming weeks.

The newly released material included evidence gathered from multiple law enforcement investigations into Epstein, along with photographs of Bill Clinton. One photograph made public on Friday showed a younger-looking Bill Clinton reclining in a hot tub, with a portion of the image masked by a black rectangle.

Another photograph showed Clinton swimming alongside a dark-haired woman believed to be Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Additional images released by the Justice Department include a photograph of Clinton with pop star Michael Jackson, with singer Diana Ross standing to their right. Epstein does not appear in that picture.

The absence of references to President Donald Trump has drawn attention, given his documented social interactions with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s. The newly released files contained no photographs but little mention of Trump. His name is mentioned in a contact book included in the files, though the ownership of the book remains unclear.

By contrast, Trump's name has appeared in earlier Epstein-related disclosures over the years, including flight logs for Epstein's private jet that were part of an initial batch of Justice Department documents released in February.

The document release followed pressure from Republicans in Congress. On November 19, Trump signed legislation requiring the Justice Department to release most Epstein-related files and communications within 30 days, including records tied to the investigation into Epstein's death in federal custody. The bill marked a rare bipartisan moment after months of resistance from Trump and GOP leaders.

WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE

The White House said the release of the Epstein files, which began Friday afternoon, underscored what it described as the administration's commitment to transparency.

"By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein's Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said.

Jackson also pointed to other Democrats with past ties to Epstein, citing Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who received text messages from Epstein during a 2019 House hearing with Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer.

CLINTON CAMP PUSHES BACK

A spokesperson for Bill Clinton said the Epstein investigation is "not about Bill Clinton".

"They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton," Angel Urea said in a statement.

"There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships after that. We're in the first. No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that," Urea added.

OVER 1,200 VICTIMS IDENTIFIED

In a letter to Congress, the Justice Department said more than 1,200 people were ultimately identified as victims of Epstein or as their family members. The disclosure came as part of an explanation of how the department reviewed the Epstein files and prepared them for public release.

During the review process, DOJ asked lawyers representing Epstein's victims to submit names, whether previously identified or not. That process led to the identification of more than 1,200 people, according to the department.