Missing FBI Documents on Trump-Epstein Allegations Released by Justice Department
The US Justice Department has posted online FBI documents related to sexual abuse allegations against Donald Trump that were missing from the initial release of the Epstein files. This action follows reports by American media, including Sky News' partner network NBC News, highlighting the absence of these records.
The justice department explained that some files had been incorrectly labelled as duplicative in its spreadsheet, making them invisible to the public, and has since corrected this error. The newly released documents include summaries and notes from three separate FBI interviews with a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and abused by the now-president.
White House Response and Denials
Donald Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Jeffrey Epstein, and the White House has asserted that the Epstein files exonerate him. In a statement on Thursday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the allegations in the newly released files as completely baseless and backed by zero credible evidence.
The justice department has previously warned that the Epstein files contain unfounded accusations about the president, noting that some documents include false and sensationalist claims submitted to the FBI before the 2020 election.
Details of the Allegations
The woman, from South Carolina, came forward to law enforcement after Epstein's arrest in 2019. She alleged that the billionaire financier assaulted her on Hilton Head Island when she was 13, with the incident occurring around 1984. The FBI conducted follow-up interviews on four dates in 2019: July 24, August 7, August 20, and October 16.
These dates were part of evidence released against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's ex-girlfriend and convicted co-conspirator. Initially, only the summary of the July 24 interview was included in the Epstein files, which did not mention allegations against Trump. The memos from the other three interviews have now been published, with the woman alleging abuse by Epstein and several associates, including Trump.
Legal Context and Transparency
The release of these files is mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Trump signed into law late last year under pressure from Republicans in Congress. The law requires the justice department to release records but allows withholding of victim information, child sexual abuse material, and anything jeopardizing active investigations.
It explicitly prohibits withholding documents based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity. Currently, no one in the US is under investigation in relation to the Epstein files.
Trump's Relationship with Epstein
Trump and Epstein were known to move in the same social circles in Florida and New York for many years, with photographs from the 1990s and early 2000s showing them together at events like Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump described Epstein as a terrific guy and noted his enjoyment of social life with younger women.
After Epstein's death in 2019, Trump downplayed their relationship, stating he had a falling out with him and was not a fan. He claimed no knowledge of Epstein's crimes and emphasized that their acquaintance was limited.
The justice department continues to emphasize that the files include unverified claims, urging caution in interpreting the released documents.
