In a shocking development, nearly 100,000 photos have been obtained by House Democrats from the estate of the notorious sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. Among these images are notable figures, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, film director Woody Allen, and former Trump White House advisor Steve Bannon. The photos, released by the House Oversight Committee, depict these individuals in various social settings, stirring controversy and prompting discussions about their connections to Epstein.
One particularly striking image shows Trump standing amidst a group of six women, their faces obscured prior to the release. Some of these women are adorned with Hawaiian leis, adding a festive context to the photograph. Another image captures Trump standing behind Epstein at what appears to be a social gathering. A third photograph shows Trump sitting next to an unidentified woman on what looks like a plane. Despite their past friendship, Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and claims he was unaware of Epstein's abuse of women.
In response to the photo release, CNBC has reached out to the White House for comments. The images also include a photo of Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted procurer, alongside another couple. Interestingly, this particular photo bears Clinton's signature. Other notable figures captured in the photos include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly known as Prince Andrew of Britain), and Epstein's former attorney, Alan Dershowitz. However, the release did not disclose the dates, locations, or contexts of these photos.
The release of these images comes as Democrats on the House Oversight Committee state their commitment to transparency. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the committee, emphasized the need to end what he referred to as a White House cover-up and to bring justice to Epstein's survivors. He stated, "These disturbing photos raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world. We will not rest until the American people get the truth. The Department of Justice must release all the files, NOW."
It should be noted that Trump and top law enforcement officials in his administration previously resisted releasing investigative files related to Epstein and Maxwell. However, in November, Congress overwhelmingly passed a law mandating the Department of Justice to release these files. The newly released photos are distinct from the anticipated records from the DOJ, which still remain undisclosed to the public.
Garcia mentioned that the committee received the extensive batch of photos from Epstein's estate on Thursday night. So far, Democrats have reviewed approximately 25,000 of these images, with many more yet to be examined. "There's an enormous amount of photos we have not gone through," Garcia explained. "It will take days and weeks to ensure that we got those photos and that redaction is done in the appropriate way." The committee is dedicated to protecting the identities of survivors while continuing to investigate the connections between Epstein and powerful individuals.
Epstein's death in August 2019, ruled a suicide while in jail, followed his arrest on child sex trafficking charges during Trump's first term. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her involvement in procuring underage girls for Epstein. These developments continue to fuel public interest and scrutiny regarding the relationships Epstein cultivated with influential figures.
In July 2019, a spokesperson for President Clinton stated that he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes. Clinton reportedly took four trips on Epstein's private jet between 2002 and 2003, with his staff and Secret Service detail accompanying him. His spokesperson clarified that Clinton had only one meeting with Epstein in his Harlem office and a brief visit to Epstein's New York residence, denying any involvement in the abuse or knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
As this story unfolds, CNBC will continue to provide updates and seek responses from the individuals identified in the released photographs, many of whom have denied any wrongdoing. The ongoing investigation into Epstein's network of powerful connections remains a pressing issue, and further revelations are anticipated in the coming weeks.