Newly released Justice Department documents reveal connections between Jeffrey Epstein and multiple current and former Trump administration officials, though no one has been accused of wrongdoing.
At least six senior Trump administration officials appear in newly released Jeffrey Epstein files, according to NBC News. The documents show varying degrees of contact, from single emails to years of correspondence. President Donald Trump is mentioned thousands of times, though he denies wrongdoing and says he parted ways with Epstein in the mid-2000s because he was a “creep.” Attorney General Pam Bondi avoided questions on whether officials had been questioned by the DOJ.
Other officials featured include Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who admitted visiting Epstein’s island with his family in 2012, and Navy Secretary John Phelan, whose name appeared on a 2006 flight manifest. Elon Musk and Steve Bannon also appear in emails or text messages, though neither has been accused of any crimes. Officials from prior Democratic administrations, such as Bill Clinton and Larry Summers, are also mentioned.
Experts and officials have stressed that appearance in the files does not imply criminal wrongdoing. Lutnick described his trip as family-oriented with nothing “untoward,” while Musk insisted he never visited Epstein’s island. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged flights on Epstein’s plane but denied involvement in criminal activity. DOJ and FBI memos found no evidence of a “client list,” and White House officials have repeatedly denied any improper conduct by current administration members.