Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a new set of photos on Friday. They said the images came from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. The photos show several well-known figures from politics, business, and academia.
The names include President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson.
According to a CNN report, the committee released 19 images. Lawmakers said the photos add new detail to the long-examined network of people who interacted with Epstein over many years.
What the Images Show
Many of the men in the photos were already known to have links to Epstein. However, the new images show additional moments of contact.
One photo shows Trump posing with six women wearing leis. The committee redacted their faces.
Another image shows what appears to be a bowl of novelty condoms. The condoms caricature Trump and carry the label “I’m HUUUUGE!” CNN reported that a New York novelty store produced the items. The National Museum of American History lists them as political satire.
Other images include Steve Bannon taking a mirror selfie with Epstein. One photo shows Bill Clinton with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and another couple. Another image shows Bill Gates standing with former Prince Andrew. Former Harvard president Larry Summers and lawyer Alan Dershowitz also appear.
CNN reported that none of the images show sexual misconduct or involve minors.
Unclear Origins of the Photos
Lawmakers said they do not know when or where the photos were taken. They also do not know who captured them.
The Republican-led committee obtained the images as part of a wider investigation into Epstein’s network. Lawmakers have already released tens of thousands of emails, documents, and messages from Epstein’s estate. Those materials continue to raise new questions.
Estate’s Warning on Verification
In a letter sent Thursday, lawyers for Epstein’s estate said the committee could review videos and photos “taken at any property owned, rented, operated, or used by Epstein from January 1, 1990 through August 10, 2019.”
The lawyers warned that some materials may not be fully verified.
“Like yesterday’s production, it also includes documents that may not be responsive, but that the Estate was unable to confirm whether they were taken at a property owned, rented, operated, or used by Epstein. The Estate has provided minimal redactions to these photographs; the redactions are limited to nudity,” CNN quoted them as writing.
Democrats Push for Transparency
Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, called the photos “significant.” He said Democrats have reviewed only about one-quarter of the 95,000 images received so far.
“I think anything that we release is significant. I think – clearly, I think people should be able to make judgments on their own as to what they see in these photos. For us, this is about transparency,” Garcia told CNN.
Earlier, Garcia accused the White House of blocking the truth.
“It was time to end this White House cover-up and bring justice to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful friends,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Republicans Reject Allegations
A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee accused Democrats of selective disclosure. The spokesperson said Democrats released only a few images out of thousands.
“We received over 95,000 photos and Democrats released just a handful. Democrats’ hoax against President Trump has been completely debunked. Nothing in the documents we’ve received shows any wrongdoing. It is shameful Rep. Garcia and Democrats continue to put politics above justice for the survivors,” CNN quoted the spokesperson as saying.
Key Figures Respond to Epstein Links
Clinton has never faced accusations linked to Epstein. His spokesperson has said he cut ties with Epstein long before the financier’s arrest in 2019.
A spokesperson for Gates has said Epstein never worked for him. Gates has called meeting Epstein “a huge mistake.”
Trump’s past social ties with Epstein are well known. They have never led to criminal charges. Trump’s team has said he expelled Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and described him as a “creep.”
Emails and Ongoing Fallout
The Friday release also included images of sex toys.
Earlier emails released by the committee show Epstein claiming that Trump “spent hours” with accuser Virginia Giuffre and “knew about the girls.” Trump and the White House rejected those claims. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the emails “prove absolutely nothing.”
CNN’s review of Epstein’s emails shows he often mentioned Trump. At times, he appeared to gossip or boost his own importance.
Some people linked to Epstein have faced consequences despite no criminal charges. Summers stepped back from Harvard roles and resigned from the OpenAI board. He said he felt “deeply ashamed” of his past ties. Prince Andrew gave up royal titles and has denied wrongdoing.
DOJ Deadline Approaches
A new law passed last month requires the Justice Department to release all Epstein files by December 19. Rep. Thomas Massie, who backed the law, said failure to comply would be a crime.
Massie said he feels “encouraged” by recent DOJ disclosures. Garcia disagreed and urged immediate release. He warned that some unreleased images are “incredibly disturbing.”
“Right now, our plan is to demand that the president release the files… these pictures… some of these photos… are really disturbing. And there are many others,” Garcia said.
