Another release of documents tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has brought renewed attention to his past connections, including references to former US President Donald Trump. Among the material is an email written by a New York prosecutor that claims Trump flew on Epstein’s private aircraft several times during the 1990s.
The email, dated January 7, 2020, states that flight records indicated Trump traveled on Epstein’s jet on eight occasions. The prosecutor wrote that at least four of those flights reportedly included Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s close associate who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
According to the email, Trump’s use of Epstein’s plane may have been more frequent than what had previously been made public. However, the document does not accuse Trump of any illegal conduct, nor does it suggest that criminal activity occurred during the flights.
Trump has consistently rejected claims of traveling on Epstein’s aircraft. In a social media post in 2024, he said he was never on Epstein’s plane and never visited his private island. The White House did not issue an immediate response when asked to comment on the newly released email.
The US Department of Justice addressed the document release on Tuesday, cautioning that some of the material contains claims it described as false or sensational. The department said certain documents were submitted to the FBI after the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost, but did not elaborate further.
In a public statement, the DOJ said the allegations lack credibility and argued that any substantiated claims would have already been used against Trump. The department did not provide specific evidence to support or dismiss the prosecutor’s email.
The latest release includes approximately 8,000 files, ranging from video and audio recordings to more than 30,000 pages of written documents. Many sections remain heavily redacted, including the names of government officials and prosecutors. Some lawmakers have criticized the extent of the redactions, arguing they exceed legal limits intended to protect victims’ identities.
One document notes that on two flights, women who could have served as witnesses in Maxwell’s case were among the passengers. Another record describes a flight listing only three people on board: Trump, Epstein, and a 20-year-old woman whose name has been withheld.
The document release also includes videos reportedly showing areas inside the federal detention facility where Epstein died in 2019. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though public debate and speculation surrounding the circumstances have continued.
Trump has dismissed the renewed focus on the Epstein files, saying the issue is being used by political opponents to divert attention from what he describes as his administration’s accomplishments.
Public opinion remains divided. A recent national poll found that a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Epstein documents, while a smaller share expressed approval. Many respondents said they believe the government is withholding information about Epstein’s relationships with powerful individuals.
Pressure to release additional materials continues from lawmakers across party lines. Some Republicans have also criticized the handling of the files, accusing the Justice Department of excessive redactions and limited transparency.
As more documents are reviewed, the Epstein case continues to raise difficult questions about accountability, transparency, and the extent of Epstein’s connections to influential figures.
