The Epstein files are out. Here is what's in them and what's still missing
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Redacted documents are shown in a photo illustration in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, after the Justice Department began releasing records from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
The Department of Justice released thousands of Epstein files on Friday, but there are plenty more on the way.
Why it matters: The Epstein files offered a deeper look into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. But the new collection leaves many files unaccounted for, without a clear indication of when the rest of the documents might arrive.
Context: Congress gave DOJ a Dec. 19 deadline to release the documents in its possession.
- The DOJ, as well as Democratic and Republican lawmakers, have slowly released some files over the last month — many of them coming from Epstein's estate. These are separate from the DOJ's records from state and federal investigations.
Here's where all the Epstein files are now, where to find them and which ones remain unaccounted for.
What's inside the DOJ's Epstein files
The full trove of documents — accessible here — includes:
- Transcripts from Maxwell's interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- Surveillance video from the prison where Epstein killed himself in 2019.
- Flight logs from the Virgin Islands to Palm Beach.
- A handwritten note asking an unidentified person to collect a "bucket of roses" to give to someone at a "high school."
- Scanned pages from the how-to book "Massage for Dummies."
- A graphic police interview with someone who said she was recruited to give Epstein partially nude massages when she was a minor.
The release also includes images of Epstein's estate.
- This includes a photo of the check President Trump allegedly gave Epstein that suggested the sex offender "sold" Trump a girl, framed with a caption "once in a blue moon" on the outside.
- Epstein is also seen standing over four women wearing the same outfits with their hands in a prayer position.
- Another shows former President Clinton in a pool with someone whose face is blacked out.
What "Epstein files" are still missing
The DOJ informed Congress that the Epstein files released on Friday were incomplete, AP reports, and that the department expects additional drops by the end of year.
Several pages and audio files within the release files are redacted.
- Some of those pages include the names of Epstein's survivors, including an entirely blacked out document labelled "Masseuse List."
- The DOJ asked the public to help identify any information that should remain redacted, per AP.
Yes, but: The DOJ was allowed to redact files to protect ongoing investigations, including the department's investigation into Clinton's and former Harvard president Larry Summers' ties to Epstein.
- The Justice Department can also redact files for "national security."
What happens next for the Epstein files
What's next: Blanche told Fox News prior to the release that the administration will miss Friday's deadline to release all the files, though more will be released on a rolling basis over the next few weeks.
- House Democrats said they are "exploring all legal options" if the government missed the deadline.
Files released by the Epstein estate
House Democrats and Republicans have been releasing batches of documents on Epstein originally shared by his estate.
- These documents, photos and snapshots were shared with Congress after it subpoenaed the Epstein estate in August.
- Multiple judges have ruled that records from Epstein's 2019 prosecution can be made public, which could include grand jury transcripts and investigative materials uncovered by defense teams during the discovery process, per The New York Times.
Here's a look at what the estate has shared so far.
Photos with "Lolita" references: Democrats shared a number of images of Epstein and his former associates, including pictures referencing"Lolita," a novel about the sexual exploitation of a young girl.
The 95,000 photos: Democrats released a handful of photos in December that showed Epstein pictured with Trump and Clinton.
- Republicans said the photos were a handful of the 95,000 that Congress received.
The 20,000 pages: Republicans similarly pointed out that the estate sent over 20,000 documents related to the Epstein probe after Democrats released emails from the late sex offender.
Emails referencing Trump: On Nov. 12, House Democrats shared emails suggesting Trump "knew about the girls."
Daily schedules referencing Musk: In September, Democrats released documents showing daily schedules referencing Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon.
- The schedules seemingly showed Musk suggesting flying to an "island" in 2014.
Epstein's birthday book and will: The House released Epstein's final will and testament in September, as well as the contents of the 50th birthday book made by Maxwell in 2003.
- At the same time, a 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida was shared.
Letters, testimony on Epstein
In September, the House Oversight Committee published a series of letters from former U.S. Attorneys General Eric Holder and Merrick Garland, as well as former FBI Director James Comey, about the Epstein probe.
- All three said they had no knowledge related to the House's Epstein investigation.
Earlier in the fall, FBI Director Kash Patel, former Trump Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and Trump Attorney General Pam Bondi all gave testimony about the Epstein investigation.
- Patel had a heated hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee, while Bondi refused to answer questions during hers.
- Acosta, who oversaw Epstein's 2008 plea deal, testified for several hours before the House Oversight Committee, which later released the entire transcript.
DOJ's previous "Epstein files" releases
The Justice Department has sought to release documents since Trump took office in January 2025.
In February, the DOJ published more than 100 pages related to the Epstein's probe.
- Those included flight logs, a redacted contact book, masseuse list and an evidence list.
- At the time, Bondi called on Patel to investigate why all the documents hadn't been released.
In July, the DOJ released a video — both in raw and "enhanced" versions reportedly showing that no one entered Epstein's Manhattan prison cell on the night he died.
- The Justice Department and FBI concluded in a memo, which Axios exclusively reported at the time, that there was no evidence that Epstein blackmailed powerful figures, kept a "client list" or that he was murdered.
In August, Maxwell published audio recordings and transcripts of Blanche's interview with Maxwell, which included four redacted transcripts and 16 audio clips.
- Maxwell said in those recordings that she never saw Trump "in any inappropriate setting."
33,000 documents: The House Oversight Committee in August released "thousands of pages" of DOJ records.
- However, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the panel's top Democrat, said many of these were already public.
Other Epstein details released
The Epstein files discussion picked up steam this summer following news reports on the subject.
- The Wall Street Journal exclusively reported in July on a "bawdy" birthday letter sent to Epstein that reportedly bore Trump's name and alleged signature. Trump later sued WSJ over the story, calling the letter "a FAKE."
- In January 2024, a number of documents from a lawsuit against Maxwell were unsealed. They mentioned high-profile friends of Epstein and victims who had spoken out against him.
More from Axios:
Here are all the "Epstein files" that have been released — and which haven't
What are the Epstein files? All you need to know
