FBI director Kash Patel has personally vowed to hunt down thousands of pages of missing Jeffrey Epstein files after the first tranche was released on Thursday.
Some of the highly anticipated files were released by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday afternoon - after a dramatic delay earlier in the day.
And while documents have now been released to the general public, there is mounting confusion about the files, given most of the contents of the documents are not new.
Bondi had promised that the full set of files would be released to the American people on Thursday.
But she's said it has since come to her attention that 'thousands' of files remain secret. She has requested that they be handed over to her office by tomorrow at 8am.
'If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them,' Trump appointee Patel said in a statement.
'There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned - and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued.'
Alina Habba had warned earlier in the day that what was in the files was so sick that it guaranteed multiple arrests.
This live blog has now closed.'If there are gaps, we will find them': FBI boss acknowledges Epstein trove
FBI Director Kash Patel has praised the new data dump, saying: 'The FBI is entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
'There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned - and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued.
'If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them.
'And we will bring everything we find to the DOJ to be fully assessed and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be.
'The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise.'
What evidence was seized in Epstein's possession?
A list of items seized from Epstein was released as part of the first phase on Thursday evening.
Below is a list of just some of the items that were found belonging to Epstein.
- one vibrator, three buttplugs, one set of cuffs, one dildo, one leash, one box of condoms, one nurse cap, one stethescope
- five costumes and one wig
- one box containing one pair of black women's cowboy boots, size 8
- a mysterious 'document with names'
- box containing shredded paper
- one set of copper handcuffs and a whip
- two white busts of female torsos
- one brown bust sculpture of female breasts
- one CD labeled 'girl pics nude book 4'
- a photo album of an unnamed girl and Epstein
- a photo album of girls and photos of island
- 10 black binders containing photos
- box with two photos of a female buttocks
- an Australian passport with Epstein's photograph
- one peach massage table, one green massage table, one beige massage table, one brown massage table
Epstein contact book highlights his A-list links - but those named have no connection to allegations
Epstein's contact book has been re-released as part of this latest trove of information.
It proves that he had numbers for many high profile celebrities, businessmen and even politicians.
But there is no suggestion that any person named in his contact book is linked to the atrocious crimes Epstein committed.
Among those who appear in the contact book are:
- Alec Baldwin
- Naomi Campbell
- Michael Jackson
- Mick Jagger
- former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
FBI to be subjected to rigorous investigation after failing to turn over full extent of documents
Bondi has ordered Kash Patel conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into his own department after claiming she did not receive everything she was after.
Citing an anonymous source who told her the FBI has 'thousands of pages of documents' relating to Epstein, Bondi told Patel: I am also directing you to conduct an immediate investigation into why my order to the FBI was not followed.
'You will deliver to me a comprehensive report of your findings and proposed personnel action within 14 days.'
Epstein files reveal he had 254 masseuses working for him
While the names of all the masseuses Epstein employed have been redacted, the documents reveal that a total of 254 masseuses were linked to him at various stages.
Epstein would recruit young girls and women to give him and his friends erotic massages.
They would often have no massage experience, and were instructed to 'bring friends' who would also be paid for their services.
These young victims were given no reason to suspect that the visit would involve sexual activity until they were already there.
In the filing released by Bondi on Thursday, it states the masseuses' names have been 'redacted to protect potential victim information.'
Government officials intend to release all information once it is received, reviewed and redacted
In Bondi's press release, her department said it still remains committed to transparency and revealing the full extent of Epstein and his conspirators' crimes.
'The Department remains committed to transparency and intends to release the remaining documents upon review and redaction to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims,' the press release stated.
What has Bondi released publicly today?
The first wave of files posted on the Justice Department website marks the Trump administration's first steps toward shedding light on the criminal network operating under Epstein.
While the documents have largely been circulating in the public domain for years, Bondi said they had never been 'released in a formal capacity by the U.S. Government.'
The batch of documents included a copies of flight logs from Epstein’s private plane and a redacted photocopy of an address book purportedly compiled by Epstein and his longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Justice Department also released a blacked-out list of masseuses and an evidence list showing entries for more than 150 items, including nude images, massage tables, sex toys and other items.
There weren't any new bombshells about Epstein or his associates.
Amid disappointment over the released Epstein files not containing bombshell new information, Pam Bondi has insisted this is the first step toward full transparency.
Her department said: 'The first phase of declassified files largely contains documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the U.S. Government.'
In a statement on Thursday evening, the Attorney General said: 'This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators.
'The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.'
Right-wing influencers called 'tasteless' for Epstein binder photo op'Libs of TikTok creator slammed for smiling as she received Epstein Binder 'Phase 1' suggests more information will be released
The 'phase 1' name on the binder suggests the Justice Department will be publishing more documents related to the case in coming weeks, which many hope will satisfy their desire to out those involved in the conspiracy and its cover-up.
The first release comes as Republican lawmakers press the Justice Department to increase transparency and publish previously classified records and federal secrets including the Epstein Files.
The documents landed on AG Bondi's desk earlier this week.
AG told influencers there was no smoking gun in Epstein binder they received
Turning Point USA contributor Savannah Hernandez said AG Pam Bondi informed the influencers Thursday morning that 'some of the information' in the binders they received was already public.
'She doesn't really feel that any of this information is a smoking gun,' the right-wing personality said of Bondi.
Hernandez noted Bondi has asked FBI director Kash Patel to hand over the remaining documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
She added all of the information in the binders will be made public to the American people.
Republican congresswoman slams Epstein docs release to influencers What happened to Epstein's 'pedo island' after he died?
Jeffrey Epstein's 'pedo island' aka Little Saint James in the US Virgin Islands was a focal point of his horrific child-sex-trafficking operation.
It has long been believed that Epstein hosted a wide array of rich and famous clients at the island.
When Epstein first purchased Little Saint James, he paid $7.9 million. Epstein bought the island in 1998 and later made it his primary residence, employing a staff of 70 people.
At the time of his death it was valued at $63.8 million. In the aftermath of Epstein's death, it was listed for sale for $125 million in 2021. In May 2023, it was sold to billionaire Stephen Deckoff who vowed to turn it into a luxury resort by 2025.
Deckoff is reported to have paid around $60 million for the property as well as for Great St. James. Epstein's estate has said that any money generated from the sale of his properties would be used to settle lawsuits.
MAGA war as AG Pam Bondi accuses FBI of hiding thousands of documents
The first tranche of files on Jeffrey Epstein's pedophilic sex trafficking ring are out – and Republicans are not happy.
Rather than publishing the documents directly to the American people, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel released the so-called Epstein Files to a group of conservative influencers.
But those eager for evidence to connect Epstein to prominent political figures and business leaders were disappointed to find barely any new information, if any, was included in 'phase one' of the document release.
Social media slams disappointing 'Epstein file release' by Trump administration Influencer who received 'Epstein' binder says there was nothing 'martial' in it
One of the right-wing social media personalities who received a binder of Epstein documents on Thrusday has admitted the files did not include any new bombshell information.
Epstein's address book to be released, per report - but it was already public
The files released on Thursday will be include Epstein's personal address book, the New York Post reported.
The documents span over 100 pages and include a list of contacts with no context, per the report. As many social mediausers have pointed out, the book was already made public.
A client list is not included in the documents to be released.
Journalist who uncovered Epstein's case says victims are being used for political purposes
The Miami Herald's Julie k Brown spoke to Epstein victims who called Thursday's 'release of files' a publicity stunt.
Influencer who received 'Epstein files' accuses FBI of withholding documents from AGKey dates in the Epstein sex-trafficking scandal
2005: INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
Police in Palm Beach, Florida launched investigation into Jeffrey Epstein in March 2005 after a 14-year-old girl reported being molested at his mansion2006: FIRST ARREST
Epstein was arrested by Palm Beach Police in May 2006 and charged with with multiple counts of unlawful sex with a minor and the state attorney sent case to grand juryThe jury hears testimony from one accuser in June 2006 and Epstein is indicted on one count of solicitation of prostitution2008-2009: JAILED AND RELEASED
Epstein pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008. He is sentenced to 18 months in jail, one year community service and registered as a sex offenderHe was released from jail in July 20092019: JAILED AGAIN
Epstein is arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in New York in July 2019A federal grand jury indicts Epstein, charging him with 'creating and maintaining a network of minor victims in multiple states to sexually abuse and exploit'. He is also charged with employing 'victim-recruiters' to find underage girls for his network2019: EPSTEIN FOUND DEAD
Epstein is found dead in his cell at a federal jail in New York City on August 10, 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner's office2015-2022: GHISLAINE MAXWELL CASE
Virginia Roberts Giuffre sued Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell for defamation in September 2015Maxwell was arrested and charged with sex crimes by federal prosecutors in New York in July 2020Guiffre sued Prince Andrew under New York’s Child Victims Act in August 2021, alleging he assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17 years old. Andrew denies any wrongdoingGuiffre and Andrew settled out of court in February 2022 for undisclosed sum estimated to be worth £7.5millionMaxwell was convicted of multiple charges including sex trafficking, conspiracy and transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity in December 2021She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 20222023-25: DOCUMENTS TROVE
A judge ordered the unsealing of documents that were part of a defamation case that Giuffre brought against Maxwell in December last yearTrump's Justice Department hands 'secret' documents to right-wing influencersPam Bondi says FBI hasn't handed over full set of Epstein files
Bondi claims the only materials she was given by the FBI included flight logs, Epstein's client list and the victims names and numbers. Much of the information contained in the former two was previously released publicly.
The AG accused Patel's agency of hiding thousands of documents related to the investigation and demanded they be turned over by 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28.
'Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,' Bondi wrote in a letter to Patel, claiming she was only given 200 pages when she asked for all investigation files.'
A court unsealed a trove of files in 2024
In January 2024, a court unsealed a trove of documents that had been collected as evidence in a lawsuit filed Epstein victim Virginia Giuffree.
Much of the material, including transcripts of victim interviews and old police reports, had already been publicly known.
Epstein sexually abused children hundreds of times over more than a decade, exploiting vulnerable girls as young as 14.
He killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial in his Manhattan jail cell.
It's still not clear what was in the released 'Epstein' binders
It was not immediately clear what was in the binders, which have not been released publicly by the Justice Department.
The binders read 'declassified,' but it was not immediately clear whether the information contained in the binders ever had been classified.
Who are the right-wing influencers who received the Epstein files?
Rogan O'Handley, known as DC Draino,is a former entertainenment lawyer who has an audience of over 5million on Facebook and Instagram combined.
Liz Wheeler worked with One America News Network until 2020 and now has a podcast, The Liz Wheeler Show.
Chaya Raichik is known as the creator of the popular Libs of TikTok account on X.
Jessica Reed Kraus, known as House in Habit, Mike Cernovich and Jack Pasobiec are all conservative commentators and independent content creators with million of followers.
Influencer claims only 15 copies of Epstein files were printed
Jessica Reed Kraus, known as House in Habit, said on Instagram she was one of only 15 people to receive the Epstein files on Thursday.
'Today, at a briefing room in the White House, I was handed a binder with the first release of the Epstein files—by Attorney General Pam Bondi herself,' she wrote.
'Only 15 binders were printed, given to 15 independent journalists now included in a growing press pool, where influencers like myself will be granted equal access to the president and the White House.
'Proof that a powerful shift is happening—Trump walked in and told us we are the most trusted media now. And that he counts our efforts as the reason he won.
'Under his term, Independent journalism will be briefed the same as legacy outlets are. Our inclusion has officially broken their monopoly over White House access.
'The era of controlled narratives is over. The truth belongs to the people.
'Thank you @realdonaldtrump for recognizing our hard work and taking us in.'
Epstein grand jury records reveal full horror of case against billionaire pedophile
One of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims detailed to his grand jury she was just 14 when he abused her, according to newly released transcripts from his 2006 investigation which raise fresh questions about how he got such a sweetheart plea deal.
The girl testified that the late pedophile used to pleasure himself in front of her in the massage room of his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, and also used a sex toy on her.
She was one of two victims who testified before the grand jury in June 2006 with a second saying that Epstein had sex with her the day before she turned 18 - and never called her again.
After hearing the testimony the jury returned an indictment of one count of solicitation of prostitution.
In the first of many errors in the case, the charge did not reflect the fact that the victims were minors.
Elon Musk named the rich Dems 'who are terrified' of Epstein files being published
FBI Chief Kash Patel promised to release files during senate confirmation
Patel promised Blackburn during his Senate confirmation hearing in January that he would 'absolutely' work to release the documents related to the Epstein case.
'I will do everything, if confirmed as FBI Director, to make sure the American public knows the full weight of what happened in the past and how we are going to counterman missing children and exploited children going forward,' Patel said.
Trump supporters are eager to see who is on Epstein's lists, as the wealthy financier traveled, connected, and partied with the most rich and powerful Democrats in the United States.
Prince Andrew should be 'concerned' about US attorney general's release of more files
Prince Andrew should be 'concerned' about confidential files on Jeffrey Epstein that are hours away from being released, a lawyer for victims of the billionaire paedophile has warned.
Spencer Kuvin, a Florida lawyer who represented nine Epstein victims, said the attorney general's decision to expose more information pertaining to Epstein - and those associated with him - was a welcome move for those wanting complete disclosure around his activities.
Epstein secrets erased after creepy Palm Beach pedophile lair was quietly bulldozed
The scandal-stained pedo palace where Jeffrey Epstein abused scores of underage girls was wiped off the map – and replaced with a $30 million mega-mansion.
Right-wing influencers are handed the Epstein files by the Trump administration Right-wing influencers seen walking walking out of the West Wing carrying files
Rogan O'Handley, known as DC Draino, and Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik are seen carrying binders bearing the seal of the US Justice Department reading 'The Epstein Files: Phase 1' walk out of the West Wing of the White House on Thursday.
The Trump administration has said it would release documents on late tycoon and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein who was found dead in his prison cell in 2019.
White House counselor Alina Habba says Epstein files will be released today
Donald Trump's aide made an appeartance on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Thursday.
She claimed 'arrests were coming' as the files are 'incredibly disturbing.'
Epstein's final secrets are 'the most sordid' yet
From MAGA Republicans to members of the Democrat Squad, and in the White House, there is a renewed drive to lift the veil of secrecy that has long enveloped Epstein and his powerful friends.
And that could be embarrassing, or perhaps worse, for the litany of high-profile figures like Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, already known to have strayed into his orbit.
The FBI records, in particular, could potentially be explosive if they include surveillance video from Epstein's former mansion in New York, his home in Florida, and his Caribbean getaway dubbed 'Pedophile Island'.
There have been suggestions Epstein recorded virtually everything, possibly with the nefarious goal of collecting compromising material to blackmail his own associates.
It has also been speculated that he collected recordings to pass to intelligence services, perhaps including Israel's Mossad.
Who will be named in the new files?
AG Bondi said on Wednesday a lot' of names would be released but didn't indicate who was on the list, which could include high-profile names.
'What you're going to see, hopefully tomorrow, is a lot of flight logs, a lot of names, a lot of information. But it's pretty sick what that man did,' Bondi said.
Then she added: 'Along with his codefendant.'
Her comment indicates she has information on Ghislaine Maxwell, who reportedly had a 'little black book' of names, which allegedly includes the names of people allegedly involved in the couple's sex crimes.
AG Pam Bondi said the Epstein files 'will make you sick'
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she will be releasing files on Jeffrey Epstein and his secrets on Thursday and warns the contents 'will make you sick.'
'Breaking news right now, you're going to see some Epstein information being released by my office,' she told Fox News' Jesse Waters on Wednesday night.
'This will make you sick,' she said. '200 victims. 200. So we have well over -- 250, actually. So we have to make sure that their identity is protected and their personal information.'
Jeffrey EpsteinDonald Trump