The Justice Department on Friday released another batch of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, more than 40 days after the Dec. 19 deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The materials reference numerous public figures and add detail to previously reported connections involving people such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Prince Andrew. Earlier DOJ disclosures included emails and photos mentioning other prominent figures; CBS News and partner organizations are reviewing the newly published files.
Summary of notable items in the release:
Prince Andrew
– The release includes undated photos showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor positioned over an unidentified woman in images that offer no context or clear dates. Andrew has denied wrongdoing; he has been stripped of official royal duties and declined a transcribed interview requested by the House Oversight Committee. British leaders have urged cooperation with U.S. investigators.
Elon Musk
– A series of emails from the early 2010s show correspondence between Epstein and Musk about holiday travel and parties in the Caribbean and indicate Musk may have visited Epstein’s island at least once. A Nov. 25, 2012 email shows Epstein asking how many people Musk would bring on a helicopter ride; Musk replied, ‘Probably just Talulah and me.’ Epstein invited Musk for Christmas in 2013 and 2014, and a Dec. 6, 2014 date appears in the records but some notes question whether the trip happened. Musk posted on X that he ‘had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations’ and warned some exchanges could be misinterpreted.
Howard Lutnick
– Emails indicate former Wall Street executive and current Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and his family visited Little Saint James in 2012; his wife coordinated travel with Epstein’s assistant and a Dec. 24, 2012 note thanks Lutnick for a visit. Lutnick has said he cut ties with Epstein years earlier; a Commerce Department spokesperson said he ‘had limited interactions’ with Epstein and has never been accused of wrongdoing.
Steve Tisch
– A 2013 exchange shows New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch asking Epstein about women he’d met through him, including a ‘Ukrainian Girl,’ and receiving coarse descriptions. Other emails show invitations to Giants games and island visits. Tisch told CBS News the association was brief, that he never went to Epstein’s island and exchanged emails about adult women, philanthropy and investments.
Bill Gates
– Two July 18, 2013 entries, apparently written by Epstein to himself, include unverified allegations about Bill Gates having extramarital sex with ‘Russian girls,’ contracting an STI, and trying to give antibiotics surreptitiously to his then-wife. One document appears to be a draft resignation from an employee named ‘Boris’ describing ethically problematic acts. A Gates spokesperson called the claims ‘absolutely absurd and completely false’ and said the documents reflect Epstein’s attempts to entrap and defame.
President Trump
– The files include hundreds of references to former President Trump. A 2009 deposition by Epstein’s former house manager said Trump ‘never’ stayed overnight at Epstein’s Palm Beach home. The DOJ said some materials contain untrue information about Trump. Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein decades ago and has claimed the documents support that.
Steve Bannon
– The release includes nearly two hours of video from an interview between Steve Bannon and Epstein. In the interview Bannon asks, ‘What are you, class three sexual predator?’ Epstein replies, ‘Tier one,’ then amends that he’s ‘the lowest.’ Earlier materials showed Epstein sought to rehabilitate his image through a documentary with Bannon.
Brett Ratner
– Photos show filmmaker Brett Ratner with Epstein and two women, with Ratner’s arm around one woman and Epstein beside another. Ratner has previously denied allegations of sexual misconduct.
Dr. Mehmet Oz
– A 2004 transaction report shows Epstein paid $1,592 to Shoppers Travel, Inc., for Oz’s travel. Epstein was invited to an event where Oz was scheduled to speak in 2014 but said he was unavailable. A 2016 email from Oz to Epstein in the files is redacted.
Kathryn Ruemmler
– A December 2015 email from former White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler contains a note saying she ‘adores him. It’s like having another older brother!’ after Epstein offered to buy her a first-class ticket. Ruemmler later said she regretted ever knowing Epstein and now serves as chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs.
Woody Allen
– A May 2015 text shows Epstein asking Woody Allen about a ‘day museum White House trip’; Allen replied, ‘With my rap sheet I’ll never get past security.’ It is unclear whether they meant an actual White House visit or a tourist trip.
Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos
– An Oct. 2009 email from publicist Peggy Siegal said she had just left Ghislaine Maxwell’s house after an after-party where ‘Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos were there.’ Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane for foundation-related travel in the early 2000s and has said he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes.
Other notes
– Many documents are redacted, undated or lacking context; the Justice Department cautioned that some material is unverified or false and may be defamatory. CBS News and partner organizations, including NBC, Versant and The Associated Press, are reviewing the files and have reached out to multiple people named in the records.
Report contributors listed by CBS News include Graham Kates, Daniel Ruetenik, Emma Nicholson, Ibrahim Aksoy, Sheena Samu, Zak Hudak, Kathryn Watson, Kristin Brown and The Associated Press.