House Democrats Release Epstein Documents Claiming Trump Was Aware of Alleged Victims

Newly released documents from U.S. House Democrats have reignited the controversy surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with fresh claims suggesting that former President Donald Trump was aware of the underage girls linked to Epstein’s criminal network.

The documents, made public on Wednesday, include a series of emails, testimonies, and investigative notes that House Democrats say shed light on the extent of Epstein’s connections with powerful political and business figures. Among the files are messages in which Epstein allegedly claimed that Trump “knew about the girls,” a reference to the minors Epstein was accused of exploiting and trafficking over several years.

Democratic lawmakers say the release aims to increase transparency about Epstein’s extensive web of influence and the political protection he may have enjoyed prior to his 2019 arrest. Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes in 2008, was facing federal charges of sex trafficking when he died in jail in August 2019. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though it has fueled widespread speculation and conspiracy theories ever since.

Representative Jamie Raskin, one of the Democrats leading the release, said in a statement that the documents “offer disturbing insight into how systemic failures and privilege allowed one of the most notorious predators of our time to operate unchecked.” He added that the evidence “raises serious questions about who in positions of power knew what—and when.”

The files do not show direct evidence that Trump participated in any of Epstein’s criminal activities. However, they revive public interest in the long-documented social relationship between the two men. Trump and Epstein were photographed together several times in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before Trump reportedly banned him from Mar-a-Lago after a “dispute.” Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has said he was “not a fan” of Epstein.

Republican lawmakers have dismissed the release as politically motivated, accusing Democrats of using the sensitive case to distract from current policy debates and upcoming election battles. Still, victims’ advocates welcomed the move, arguing that greater transparency could help bring long-overdue accountability.

Legal experts caution that the materials, while explosive in tone, must be viewed in context. “These documents add new layers to the Epstein narrative but don’t necessarily establish criminal culpability for others,” said one former federal prosecutor. “They do, however, highlight how proximity to power can shield abusers for years.”

As public scrutiny intensifies once again, the Epstein saga continues to cast a long shadow over Washington, raising uncomfortable questions about privilege, justice, and the people who looked the other way.