Newly released Justice Department records reveal that federal prosecutors learned in 2020 that Donald Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996 – more frequently than previously known.
Expanded Epstein Files Released
The revelation comes from nearly 30,000 pages of documents released by the DOJ following criticism of an earlier, heavily redacted release. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse had lambasted the initial rollout, calling it riddled with unexplained redactions. The department maintains that hundreds of thousands of pages remain under review, describing the process as “arduous.”
According to a 2020 email from a federal prosecutor within the newly released files, one flight included only three passengers: Trump, Epstein, and a 20-year-old whose name was redacted. Other flights listed Trump traveling with his ex-wife, Marla Maples, and two of his children, Tiffany and Eric. The email also noted that two other flights included women who could be potential witnesses in a case against Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Mar-a-Lago Subpoenaed
The released documents also show that Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club was subpoenaed in 2021 for documents related to the case against Maxwell. The subpoena requested “Any and all employment records relating to” a redacted name.
The files contain a handwritten letter signed “J. Epstein” to Larry Nassar, the convicted sexual abuser, prior to Epstein’s 2019 suicide. The letter references a shared “love & caring for young ladies” and includes disturbing language referencing then-President Trump. The DOJ is currently investigating the validity of the letter, noting discrepancies in the postmark, jail location, and processing date.
Other Figures Mentioned
The dataset also references Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles earlier this year, and details a “tense exchange” between federal prosecutors and his lawyer regarding his lack of cooperation with the Epstein investigation. Emails from 2001 also surfaced, involving someone using the alias “The Invisible Man” communicating with Maxwell about finding “inappropriate friends.” Additionally, text messages between Steve Bannon and Epstein were noted by an assistant U.S. attorney in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the release of these documents?
The release of the files is mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed Congress near-unanimously.
Has Donald Trump been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein?
No, Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing, according to the released documents.
What is the DOJ doing about the letter purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar?
The DOJ said in a Tuesday statement that it is looking into the validity of the letter, citing discrepancies in the postmark, jail location, and processing date.
Given the breadth of the released materials and ongoing investigations, what further revelations might emerge from the remaining hundreds of thousands of pages of documents?
