A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Teala Davies is displayed during a 2019 press conference in New York. Photo: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images
Thousands of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case were released online Wednesday — but there may still be more to come.
Why it matters: Files and documents surrounding the disgraced financier — including a batch that showed emails mentioning President Trump — have been at the center of political discourse all year.
- The Trump campaign made the Epstein files a critical talking point, with MAGA supporters arguing for the full release of the files, too.
- Since Trump retook the White House, files and documents related to Epstein have dribbled out from numerous agencies, news outlets and government groups. And there seems to be more on the horizon.
State of play: Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released on Wednesday emails sent by Epstein that alleged Trump "knew about the girls." (Trump has never been charged with any wrongdoing related to the Epstein probe.)
- Hours later, Republican members of the House Oversight Committee released thousands of documents allegedly from Epstein's estate.
- The files' release comes ahead of a potential House vote that would force the Justice Department to disclose files related to Epstein.
Context: The term "Epstein files" is an all-encompassing term referencing files, images and documents related to investigations and probes into Epstein and his associates.
Here's a look at the files that have been leaked, shared and released in recent months.
2015 lawsuit details
A slew of documents were released in January 2024 connected to a 2015 lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and former girlfriend of Epstein.
- The documents mentioned high-profile friends of Epstein and victims who spoke out publicly.
Hundreds of documents from DOJ
The Department of Justice released more than 100 pages of documents related to Epstein in February 2025.
- The documents included flight logs, a redacted contact book, masseuse list and an evidence list.
- At the time, Attorney General Pam Bondi called on FBI director Kash Patel to investigate why all documents hadn't been released.
The FBI-DOJ memo
The Justice Department and FBI concluded in a memo that there was no evidence that Epstein blackmailed powerful figures, kept a "client list" or was murdered, Axios exclusively reported in July.
- Per the memo, investigators reviewed footage of Epstein's prison cell on the night he died and found no one entered the area.
- Investigators also didn't find an "incriminating 'client list' " of Epstein's, "no credible evidence ... that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals," and no "evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties," the memo adds.
Video footage of Epstein's prison cell
The DOJ released a video — both in raw and "enhanced" versions — that reportedly showed no one entered Epstein's Manhattan prison cell on the night that he died.
- The video supported an examiner's findings that Epstein died by suicide.
WSJ's exclusive on birthday letter
In July, the Wall Street Journal exclusively reported on a "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein bearing Trump's name and alleged signature.
- The report centered on a leather-bound album put together by Maxwell in 2003 to celebrate Epstein for his 50th birthday.
- Trump later sued WSJ over the letter, calling it "a FAKE."
Maxwell recordings and transcripts
In late August, the DOJ released audio recordings and transcripts of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's interview with Maxwell.
- The release included four redacted transcripts and 16 audio clips.
- Among other things, Maxwell said in those recordings that she never saw Trump "in any inappropriate setting."
Testimonies from Kash Patel, Alex Acosta and Pam Bondi
Flashback: Bondi, Patel and former Trump Labor Secretary Alex Acosta all gave testimonies before Congress about the Epstein files earlier this fall.
- Patel had a fiery hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee, clashing with senators over the files.
- Bondi refused to answer questions about Epstein during her hearing in October, redirecting questions into criticism of Democrats.
- Acosta, who oversaw a 2008 plea deal with Epstein, testified for multiple hours before the House Oversight Committee. The panel later released the full transcript.
Letters from former officials
The House Oversight Committee published letters from former U.S. Attorneys General Eric Holder and Merrick Garland, as well as former FBI director James Comey, about the Epstein probe.
- The three officials said they had no information related to the investigation.
House Oversight's 33,000 documents
The House Oversight Committee released more than 33,000 documents in September, including "thousands of pages" of records sent by the DOJ in August.
- However, many of these documents were already public, according to Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the panel's top Democrat.
Epstein's estate and birthday book
In September, House Democrats released the contents of the Epstein birthday book, which they received from Epstein's estate.
- Republicans on the panel formally subpoenaed the estate as a part of its probe, too.
Epstein's will
The House panel also released Epstein's final will and testament.
- A 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida was released too.
Daily schedules with Musk, Thiel, Bannon references
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released documents in late September that included daily schedules referencing Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon.
- The schedules pointed to Musk possibly flying to an "island" in 2014.
- They also referenced Thiel and Bannon seemingly dining with Epstein as recently as 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Epstein emails with references to Trump
On Nov. 12, House Democrats released emails suggesting Trump knew more about Epstein's conduct.
- In a 2011 email, Epstein alleged that an individual (whose name was redacted) spent hours with Trump at Epstein's house.
- In a 2019 email, Epstein had a line that said Trump "knew about the girls," an apparent reference to the president's past claim that he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club for allegedly approaching young women who worked there.
20,000 pages from Epstein estate
In response to the Democrats' released emails on Wednesday, Republicans shared 20,000 pages related to the Epstein probe.
- The emails, Republicans said, were obtained from the Epstein estate.
What Epstein files haven't been released
What's next: Many eyes are on Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva's (D-Ariz.) long-awaited swearing-in Wednesday, which could force the full release of the Epstein files.
- Grijalva has pledged to be the 218th signature on the Epstein discharge petition, which represents a bipartisan effort to release the files.
- If the signature threshold is met, it is set to freeze for seven legislative days. Then, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has two legislative days to set a vote.
- A vote would likely happen in early December, after the House returns from Thanksgiving recess.
If the bill survives in the House, it would then head to the Republican-controlled Senate and would have to be signed by Trump.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) hasn't committed to putting the bill on the floor, suggesting he's "not sure what that achieves."
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