Epstein Files

The Epstein Files: What We Actually Know (and What’s Still Unverified)

I’m suspicious of politicians and the ultra-rich at the best of times, but what’s emerged from the Epstein files has been extraordinary. While the first few releases in December 2025 were heavily redacted and drew bipartisan criticism, the January 30, 2026 release—over 3 million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos—has blown the doors wide open. Here’s what we actually know, with proper context about what’s verified and what remains allegation.

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The Verified Bombshells

Elon Musk

What Musk has claimed: He has repeatedly said he “declined repeated invitations” to go to Epstein’s island and barely knew him.

What the files show: At least 16 emails between Musk and Epstein from 2012-2013. In one November 2012 exchange, Musk asked: “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” In December 2013, he wrote to Epstein: “Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?” Epstein responded offering to send a helicopter for him.

What Musk’s estranged daughter Vivian Wilson said: “I can confirm we were in St Barth’s at the time specified in the emails, and therefore I believe they are authentic.”

Important context: There’s no confirmed evidence Musk actually visited the island. The emails show planning, but one planned 2013 visit was cancelled by Epstein due to scheduling conflicts. However, the emails directly contradict Musk’s public claims that he rejected Epstein’s invitations.

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Howard Lutnick (Commerce Secretary)

What Lutnick has claimed: In October 2025, he called Epstein “gross” and “the greatest blackmailer ever,” claiming he had cut ties with Epstein decades ago after touring his New York townhouse in 2005.

What the files show: In December 2012—seven years after he claimed to have severed ties—Lutnick and his wife Allison corresponded with Epstein about visiting his island. On December 24, 2012, Lutnick received an email from Epstein’s assistant saying “Jeffrey wished me to pass along the below to you: Nice seeing you.” Emails also show the Lutnicks planned to arrive by yacht with their children.

The official response: A Commerce Department spokesperson said Lutnick had “limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing.”

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Bill Gates

What the files contain: Emails Epstein sent to himself in July 2013 containing explosive claims about Gates. These appear to be draft letters written from the perspective of Gates’ then-adviser Boris Nikolic. The emails allege Gates sought antibiotics from Epstein to secretly give to his then-wife Melinda, claiming Gates contracted an STD after “sex with Russian girls.”

Critical context: These are unverified claims that Epstein wrote in what appear to be drafts of threatening or blackmail letters. There’s no evidence the emails were ever sent to Gates or that any of the claims are true.

Gates’ response: His spokesperson called the claims “absolutely absurd and completely false,” saying “the only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”

Relevant history: The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023 that Epstein tried to blackmail Gates in 2017 over an alleged 2010 affair. Gates has said he regrets his association with Epstein, calling it “a huge mistake” and that he was “foolish to spend any time with him.”

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Donald Trump

What Trump has claimed: He “barely knew” Epstein and their falling out happened years before his political career.

What the files show: Trump’s name appears thousands of times in the documents. However, the DOJ itself acknowledged that “some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election” and stated these claims “are unfounded and false.”

Many mentions are in news clippings and emails where Epstein and others discussed Trump’s presidency. The files also contain unverified FBI tips alleging various misconduct. An email from January 2020 noted that Trump “traveled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than we previously had reported.” Flight logs show at least seven flights between 1993-1997.

Important context: Being mentioned extensively in the files does not equal wrongdoing. Many mentions are in articles and correspondence about Trump rather than direct communications with Epstein. A check from Trump to Epstein with the caption “once in a blue moon” was released, but interpretation of this remains contested.

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Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor)

What the files show:

• Photos showing Andrew on his hands and knees, crouched over a fully clothed woman whose face has been redacted (no context provided for when or where these were taken)
• An August 2010 email where Epstein offered to introduce Andrew to a “26, Russian, clevere beautiful, trustworthy” woman
• Andrew suggesting dinner at Buckingham Palace “and lots of privacy”
• Continued correspondence with Epstein in 2010, after Epstein’s 2008 conviction

The broader picture: Andrew lost all his royal titles in late 2025 over these associations. The late Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and directed to have sex with Andrew when she was 17—allegations Andrew has denied. He paid millions to settle Giuffre’s civil lawsuit in 2022 without admitting guilt. British PM Keir Starmer has now urged him to testify before US Congress.

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Sarah Ferguson

What the files show: Ferguson’s correspondence with Epstein reveals a far deeper relationship than previously known:

• In March 2009, weeks after Epstein’s release from prison, she thanked him effusively, writing “Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for”
• In January 2010, she wrote: “You are a legend… I am at your service. Just marry me”
• In October 2009, she urgently requested £20,000 for rent from Epstein
• In March 2010, she told Epstein she was “waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend” (referring to her then-19-year-old daughter)
• In May 2011—after publicly saying she’d have “nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again”—she emailed him seeking advice before an Oprah Winfrey appearance

Context: Ferguson had previously apologized for letting Epstein pay off some of her debts and claimed to have cut ties. The emails suggest otherwise. Several charities dropped her as patron in 2025 after earlier revelations.

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The Unverified Claims (Proceed with Caution)

Jay-Z and Pusha T

What the files contain: An FBI “crisis intake report” from 2019—essentially an anonymous tip to an FBI hotline—mentions both rappers.

Critical context: These are unverified tips from members of the public, not flight logs, address books, or verified evidence. The DOJ specifically stated that released documents “may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos, as everything that was sent to the FBI by the public was included.” No charges have been filed, and there’s no indication any investigation is underway.

This is not the same as verified correspondence found in Epstein’s own emails.

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Richard Branson

What the files show: Branson hosted Epstein twice at his Necker Island in 2013. In one email, Branson wrote: “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!” He also gave Epstein PR advice, suggesting Epstein could improve his image by getting Bill Gates to characterize him as someone who “slipped up many years ago by sleeping with a 17 1/2 year old woman.”

Branson’s response: Virgin Group said any contact was “limited to group or business settings” more than 12 years ago. They said when Epstein offered a charitable donation, due diligence “uncovered serious allegations,” leading them to decline and sever ties. “Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever.”

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Brett Ratner (Director of the “Melania” Documentary)

What the files show: Photos of Ratner sitting on a couch with Epstein and two women (faces redacted). A previous release showed Ratner with Jean-Luc Brunel, an Epstein associate accused of supplying girls to the sex trafficker.

The irony: These photos were released the same day Ratner’s documentary “Melania” premiered—a film Amazon paid $40 million to acquire and $35 million to market.

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The Melania Movie Connection

Speaking of that documentary: Critics have called it an elaborate form of “bribery,” with Amazon paying Melania Trump approximately $28 million (over 70% of the $40 million rights fee) for what’s been described as hagiographic content. The deal was finalized weeks after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos dined at Mar-a-Lago and appeared at Trump’s inauguration.

Meanwhile, the Epstein files revealed a 2002 email exchange between Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell (now serving 20 years for sex trafficking). Melania praised a New York magazine article about Epstein, writing to Maxwell: “Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture… Love, Melania.”

Claims that Epstein facilitated Trump meeting Melania have been retracted by multiple outlets after legal threats from the First Lady’s attorneys.

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What About QAnon?

Here’s the dark irony: QAnon has spent years alleging a powerful pedophile ring among elites, claiming Donald Trump would expose it all. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support (427-1 in the House), and Trump signed it.

Yet:

• Trump’s name appears thousands of times in the files
• His Commerce Secretary was visiting Epstein’s island years after claiming to have cut ties
• His advisor Elon Musk was seeking “the wildest party” on the island
• The director of his wife’s documentary appears in cozy photos with Epstein
• The DOJ initially released heavily redacted files and missed the December 19, 2025 deadline

A January 2026 CNN poll found only 6% of Americans were satisfied with what had been released. 49% of Americans—including significant numbers of Republicans—believe Trump is attempting to cover up Epstein’s crimes.

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The Bottom Line

What makes this story so unsettling isn’t just the famous names—it’s the pattern of wealthy, powerful people maintaining relationships with a convicted sex offender long after his crimes were public knowledge. Elon Musk’s emails came years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Howard Lutnick was planning yacht trips to the island seven years after he claimed to have cut ties. Sarah Ferguson was calling Epstein “the brother I always wished for” weeks after he left prison.

The files also reveal how raw, unverified accusations get mixed in with verified correspondence, making it easy for bad actors to spread misinformation. Just because someone appears in an FBI tip doesn’t mean they did anything wrong—but it also doesn’t mean verified evidence of contact should be dismissed.

The story isn’t over. The DOJ says it released only about 3 million of 6 million identified pages. Lawmakers from both parties continue demanding more transparency. And for every powerful person claiming they barely knew Epstein, there’s an email trail suggesting otherwise.

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Note: Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing. Many people encountered Epstein socially or professionally without knowledge of his crimes. However, continuing relationships after his 2008 conviction raises legitimate questions about judgment and accountability.