On December 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice released the first highly anticipated batch of files from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The release, mandated by Congress to be completed by this date, has unleashed a torrent of speculation, political posturing, and renewed scrutiny of some of the world’s most recognizable names. Among the thousands of pages of photos, videos, and investigative documents are images of former President Bill Clinton, British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and celebrities like Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, and Chris Tucker. But with so many files still under wraps and much of what’s been released heavily redacted, the controversy is only just beginning.
According to the Associated Press, several photos of Bill Clinton feature prominently in the initial tranche of documents. In one image, Clinton is seen aboard a private plane with a woman whose face is redacted, her arm draped around him. Another photo shows him in a pool alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidant, and an unidentified person. Yet another depicts Clinton relaxing in a hot tub with a woman whose identity is obscured. The files provide no information about when or where these photos were taken, nor do they offer much context beyond the images themselves.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox & Friends that the documents released Friday represent just a sliver of the “several hundred thousand” pages tied to the Epstein investigation. Blanche emphasized that the department is vetting each page carefully to protect victims’ identities, a process he said takes considerable time. As a result, many documents are heavily redacted, and more than 100 pages in one file related to a grand jury investigation are fully blacked out. The timing for future releases remains uncertain, fueling frustration on both sides of the political aisle.
The BBC reports that the photos of Clinton are decades old, dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period when his association with Epstein and Maxwell is well documented. Clinton flew multiple times on Epstein’s private jet, including a 2002 humanitarian trip to Africa with actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker. Visitor logs show Epstein visited the White House several times during Clinton’s presidency. However, Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse and has consistently denied knowledge of Epstein’s sex offending.
Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Ureña, responded swiftly to the renewed attention, stating on social media, “They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be.” Ureña added, “There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We’re in the first. No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that. Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats.”
Despite these denials, Republicans have long zeroed in on Clinton’s ties to Epstein. Earlier this year, the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer, subpoenaed both Bill and Hillary Clinton for depositions related to Epstein. The Clintons responded with a written statement, offering what they described as the “little information” they had about Epstein. Comer has threatened to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings if the Clintons do not appear for in-person testimony. While multiple former presidents have voluntarily testified before Congress, none has been compelled to do so.
Democrats and some Republicans, meanwhile, have accused the Justice Department of violating its legal obligations by failing to release all the documents by the congressional deadline. Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat, joined forces with Republican Thomas Massie to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, defying President Donald Trump’s initial opposition to the measure. Khanna criticized the DOJ’s “document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages” as insufficient, stating on social media that all options—including impeachment or prosecution of DOJ officials—are on the table to ensure full compliance with the law.
But Clinton is not the only high-profile figure to make an appearance in the files. The BBC notes that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, and Chris Tucker all appear in various photos, though the context and dates are unclear. One image shows Andrew lying across the laps of five people, with Maxwell standing behind them. Andrew has faced years of scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying he “did not see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to [Epstein’s] arrest and conviction.”
Other images show Epstein posing with Michael Jackson, both wearing distinctive attire, and with Clinton and Diana Ross in a small group. Mick Jagger is seen posing with Clinton and an unidentified woman in cocktail attire. Chris Tucker appears in several photos, including one where he is seated next to Clinton at a dining table and another on an airport tarmac with Maxwell. The BBC has reached out to Jagger, Tucker, and Ross for comment, but none have responded as of publication.
One particularly striking photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell alone in front of 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. The image lacks any context regarding the date or the purpose of her visit. This, like so many details in the files, remains shrouded in mystery.
The files also include disturbing accounts from victims. Maria Farmer, an artist who worked for Epstein, told the FBI in 1996 that Epstein had stolen personal photos she took of her sisters—then aged 12 and 16—and threatened to burn her house down if she spoke out. “Epstein is now threatening [redacted] that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down,” the report states. Farmer told the BBC she feels “redeemed” after nearly 30 years.
President Trump is mentioned only minimally in the files. One court document details an allegation that Epstein introduced a 14-year-old girl to Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the 1990s, making a suggestive comment. The girl reported feeling uncomfortable but did not accuse Trump of wrongdoing. Trump’s political team, meanwhile, sought to shift attention by posting photos of Clinton after the release. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has said he ended their friendship in 2004, years before Epstein’s first arrest.
With several hundred thousand pages still under review and many questions left unanswered, the release of the Epstein files has only deepened the public’s hunger for transparency and accountability. As lawmakers and the public await further disclosures, the story remains as tangled—and as fraught with intrigue—as ever.
