An email released by the Justice Department on Tuesday as part of its third set of Jeffrey Epstein records claims that former President Donald Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least eight times during the 1990s.
Trump’s 1990s Flights
The January 2020 email, sent from a federal prosecutor in New York to an undisclosed recipient, states:
> “For your situational awareness, wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware), including during the period we would expect to charge in a [Ghislaine] Maxwell case.”
It lists Trump, then in his first presidential term, as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996. Four of those flights also included Ghislaine Maxwell, who was indicted in July 2020 on federal sex-trafficking charges, found guilty in December 2021, and is serving a 20-year sentence. The email notes that Trump also flew with Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric.
Specific flights mentioned include:
- One 1993 flight with only Trump and Epstein aboard.
- Another flight with only Epstein, Trump, and a then-20-year-old unnamed woman.
- Two flights with two women who could be witnesses in a Maxwell case.
The sender and recipient are redacted, and the email does not accuse Trump of wrongdoing.
DOJ’s Response and Congressional Reaction
The Justice Department, legally required to release these documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, said it had acknowledged “untrue and sensationalist claims” about Trump in the release. In a post on X, the DOJ stated:
> “The Department of Justice has officially released nearly 30,000 more pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.”
The release came amid concerns that the DOJ had not provided all required records. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a resolution to direct the Senate to initiate legal action against the DOJ for only releasing a fraction of the files. Schumer wrote on X:
> “The law Congress passed is crystal clear: release the Epstein files in full so Americans can see the truth. Instead, the Trump Department of Justice dumped redactions and withheld the evidence – that breaks the law.”
Clinton Pictures and Trump’s Comments
The initial DOJ release also contained many photographs of former President Bill Clinton, who flew on Epstein’s plane for Clinton Foundation trips in the early 2000s. Images showed Clinton in a hot tub, swimming with Maxwell, and with a woman sitting on his leg. Trump has asked the DOJ to investigate Clinton’s ties to Epstein and called for the release of all Clinton references in the files.
In a statement to reporters, Trump said:
> “I like Bill Clinton. I’ve always gotten along with Bill Clinton. Been nice to him. He’s been nice to me. We’ve always gotten along.”
He added that he “hate[s] to see photos come out of him” and that Democrats and some Republicans are requesting photos of him as well. Trump further noted that many people are angry that pictures of others unrelated to Epstein are being released.
Survivors’ Letter and Legal Obligations
A group of Epstein survivors posted a letter on Instagram urging lawmakers to intervene. The letter criticized the DOJ for providing only a fraction of the files, citing abnormal redactions and the unredacted identities of victims. It called for immediate congressional oversight, hearings, formal demands for compliance, and legal action to ensure the DOJ fulfills its legal obligations.
Congress passed a bill last month, signed by Trump on November 19, giving Attorney General Pam Bondi 30 days to make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials involving Epstein, including all investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters. The law allows redactions to protect victims’ identities.
Key Takeaways
- An email from the DOJ indicates Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996.
- The DOJ has released nearly 30,000 pages of documents, claiming many Trump-related claims are false.
- Congressional leaders, survivors, and the public demand full disclosure of all Epstein files.
The release underscores ongoing scrutiny of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case and the broader effort to ensure transparency and accountability.
