Newly released Justice Department documents reveal that former President Donald Trump flew on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet multiple times during the 1990s.
Flight Records and Prosecutor Email
An email from a New York prosecutor, dated January 7, 2020, indicates Trump flew on Epstein’s jet eight times. At least four of these flights included Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for assisting in sexual abuse of underage girls.
On one flight, only Epstein, Trump, and a 20-year-old woman (redacted in the documents) were on board. On two other flights, passengers included women later considered possible witnesses in Maxwell’s case.
Trump Denies Allegations
Trump has repeatedly denied ever flying on Epstein’s jet or visiting his private island. A 2024 social media post stated, “I was never on Epstein’s Plane, or at his ‘stupid’ Island.” The prosecutor’s email does not allege any crime by Trump, and the White House did not immediately comment on the new documents.
Justice Department Response
The Department of Justice clarified that some claims in the documents are unfounded and sensationalist. A statement on X said these allegations were submitted to the FBI just before the 2020 election. The DOJ emphasized that, despite their lack of credibility, the documents are being released for transparency, with protections for Epstein’s victims.
Contents of the Latest Document Release
The latest batch contains nearly 30,000 pages of documents, many heavily redacted. It also includes dozens of video clips, including some allegedly filmed inside a federal detention center. A released video claims to show Epstein kneeling in his cell. Reuters analysis suggests this clip is computer-generated, first appearing on social media in 2020.
Other files include:
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An email from 2021 mentioning a photo of Trump and Maxwell found on Steve Bannon’s cellphone.
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A grainy image of Trump seated next to Maxwell at a 2000 New York fashion show.
Transparency Law and Political Reactions
The Trump administration released these documents to comply with a new federal transparency law mandating disclosure of all Epstein files. Some Republicans criticized the redactions, arguing they reduce transparency.
Trump downplayed the significance of the files, saying they were “used to deflect against tremendous success” by him and his party. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a sponsor of the law, responded by emphasizing Trump’s support of the bill and criticizing selective redactions.
Wider Context
The documents underscore public interest in Epstein-related activities and the legal requirement for transparency. While Trump’s involvement does not indicate criminal activity, the flights raise questions about his associations in the 1990s.
