Overview
- The Justice Department posted a large but heavily redacted first tranche on December 19 and says more files will be released in coming weeks after briefly removing then restoring at least one image out of caution for potential victims.
- President Donald Trump, in his first public remarks on the rollout, said publishing photos could ruin reputations of people who only crossed paths with Jeffrey Epstein and argued the focus distracts from his administration’s record.
- Bill Clinton’s spokesperson Angel Ureña called for the immediate release of all remaining materials that mention or depict Clinton, saying selective disclosures risk insinuation rather than transparency.
- Eighteen survivors and bipartisan lawmakers condemned the partial release and redactions, with Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie threatening contempt proceedings and other Democrats signaling potential legal action to compel compliance.
- Fact-checkers noted a widely shared screenshot linking a 14-year-old and Trump came from a 2020 civil complaint that was settled and reflects allegations rather than a court finding or newly uncovered evidence.