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Maxwell Lawyers Attempt to Block 90,000‑Page Epstein File Release Amid Growing International Probes

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  • Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC. Source Full size
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    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    Hillary Clinton speaks to the BBC on 16 February 2026 and Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One while flying from Palm Beach International Airport on February 16, 2026 en route to Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • None
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    Image: AP
    Source Full size

DOJ Releases Millions of Pages Under Epstein Files Transparency Act The Justice Department has produced more than 3.5 million pages of material related to Jeffrey Epstein, citing the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed in December 2025 [4]. Among those, 90,000 pages from the settled civil defamation suit filed by Virginia Giuffre are slated for public disclosure [1]. The releases aim to increase transparency about elite connections, but victims’ groups warn that personal sexual and financial details are being exposed without adequate redaction [1][2].

Maxwell’s Legal Team Moves to Block 90,000‑Page Disclosure On February 21, 2026, Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorneys filed a motion in Manhattan federal court seeking to halt the DOJ’s request to release the 90,000‑page packet [1]. The lawyers argue the documents were improperly seized during the criminal probe and that the Epstein Files Transparency Act violates the Constitution’s separation‑of‑powers doctrine by stripping courts of authority to protect sealed files [1]. They also contend that the disclosure threatens victim privacy, noting that recent criminal‑probe releases have already revealed identities while redacting alleged abusers’ names [1].

Bannon’s Communications with Epstein Surface in Newly Released Records DOJ records released in February show dozens of text messages between former White House strategist Steve Bannon and Epstein, including advice on political strategy and a proposal to “take down” Pope Francis [3]. Bannon publicly championed the file releases while his own name appears in the documents, yet he omitted any discussion of Epstein during his February 9 “War Room” broadcasts [3]. MAGA allies such as Laura Loomer, Michael Flynn and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have demanded Bannon be “100 % forthcoming” about the relationship [3].

International Leaders Launch Probes Following File Release The disclosures have prompted foreign investigations: Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a probe into possible Russian links to Epstein, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied any Israeli intelligence involvement [2]. France opened an inquiry into former Culture Minister Jack Lang’s financial ties to Epstein and warned about Russian propaganda spreading false claims [2]. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has demanded answers from the CIA, but the DOJ maintains no files were withheld for national‑security reasons [2].

Clinton and Trump Trade Accusations Over File Transparency In a February 18 interview, Hillary Clinton accused the Trump administration of “slow‑walking” the releases and called it a cover‑up, urging full public disclosure [4]. The White House responded that thousands of pages have already been released and that President Trump, speaking from Air Force One, claimed he is “totally exonerated” by the files [4]. Both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee, ending a threatened contempt vote [4].

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Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein pleads guilty to a single charge of prostitution of a 14‑year‑old girl, receives an 18‑month sentence, and a federal investigation identifies 33 minor victims in Palm Beach, highlighting the early scope of his abuse network[28].

Nov–Dec 2012 – Emails show Elon Musk asks “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” and seeks to “hit the party scene in St Barts,” contradicting his later claim of never visiting Epstein’s island[1].

July 2013 – Two draft resignation‑letter‑style emails, apparently authored by Epstein, allege Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation “medicine for Gates” after alleged sex with Russian girls; Gates’s spokesperson calls the claims “absurd and completely false”[1].

2013 – Richard Branson’s reply to Epstein’s thank‑you email includes “bring your harem!” which Virgin Group later clarifies refers to three adult members of Epstein’s team, not a literal harem, and notes the contact was limited to a charity tennis event[1].

2013 – Bank statements reveal $75,000 payments to accounts linked to Lord Mandelson and his partner, prompting a Metropolitan Police criminal probe and Mandelson’s decision to step down from the House of Lords[1].

Feb 2019 – Jeffrey Epstein emails Noam Chomsky asking whether to “defend myself” or “ignore” the “putrid” media narrative; Chomsky replies that the best course is to ignore the coverage, condemning “vultures” and “hysteria” around abuse allegations[3][30].

July 2019 – Federal agents arrest Jeffrey Epstein on federal sex‑trafficking charges, marking the first criminal action against him since the 2008 plea deal[3].

Aug 2019 – Epstein is found dead by suicide in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial, ending the high‑profile criminal case against him[3].

2021 – Ghislaine Maxwell is sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex‑trafficking, becoming the only convicted associate of Epstein to serve a lengthy term[9][11].

2023 – In a Wall Street Journal interview, Chomsky downplays his relationship with Epstein, saying his first response to inquiries is “it is none of your business” and that he met Epstein only occasionally[3].

Nov 18 2025 – The U.S. Congress passes the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandating the Justice Department to disclose all unclassified Epstein‑related documents within 30 days of the law’s signing[21].

Nov 19 2025 – President Donald Trump signs the Epstein Files Transparency Act, setting a Dec 19 deadline for the DOJ to publish the files and prohibiting redactions solely to avoid embarrassing public figures[19][26].

Dec 9 2025 – Judge Paul A. Engelmayer orders the release of grand‑jury transcripts and other Maxwell‑related materials, noting they do not identify anyone other than Epstein or Maxwell as having sexual contact with a minor[21][22].

Dec 10 2025 – Judge Richard M. Berman lifts a secrecy order on Epstein’s 2019 New York case records, allowing the DOJ to publish grand‑jury transcripts and related documents under the new law[20].

Dec 16 2025 – Media reports emphasize the Dec 19 statutory deadline for the DOJ to make the full Epstein file set publicly searchable and downloadable, while noting the law bars releasing victims’ personally identifiable information[19][26].

Dec 18 2025 – House Oversight Committee Democrats release 68 new photographs from Epstein’s estate, including shots of Noam Chomsky, Steve Bannon and Bill Gates, one day before the DOJ’s Dec 19 deadline[18].

Dec 19 2025 – The DOJ posts previously unseen photographs of former President Bill Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, accompanied by widespread and inconsistent redactions that spark criticism from lawmakers[17].

Dec 20 2025 – Impeachment talks target Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche, with Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie co‑sponsoring a bill demanding full release of all Epstein files; House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to schedule a vote, prompting a discharge petition[16].

Dec 21 2025 – Democrats demand explanations after a Trump‑Epstein photo disappears from the DOJ’s online release, alleging possible censorship and calling for transparency, while survivors report difficulty locating their statements in the files[15].

Dec 22 2025 – The DOJ reposts a Trump‑Epstein photo after a review finds no victim imagery, while noting that dozens of other files vanished from the site without notice, fueling accusations of a cover‑up[14].

Dec 23 2025 – Bipartisan backlash intensifies as Rep. Thomas Massie accuses the DOJ of protecting the powerful, and former President Trump condemns the release of Clinton images, prompting Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to introduce legislation to force full congressional access[13].

Dec 24 2025 – The Justice Department announces it may need several more weeks to finish reviewing over a million newly discovered Epstein‑related documents, after senators demand an inspector‑general audit of the staggered release process[12].

Dec 25 2025 – Following victim outcry over unredacted nude images and identifying details, the DOJ removes thousands of offending files from its website, admits a “technical or human error,” and pledges a thorough review despite missing a congressional deadline[5].

Jan 30 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announces the release of more than 3 million pages, over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images under the Epstein Files Transparency Act; the dump includes emails linking Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Steve Bannon and Elon Musk to Epstein, while survivors decry the partial redactions as a betrayal[7][8][9][10][11].

Feb 3 2026 – New batches of U.S. Epstein files expose additional contacts, including Musk’s 2012‑13 island‑party emails, a dubious 2013 resignation‑letter email allegedly drafted by Epstein for Bill Gates, and an FBI tip list alleging sexual abuse by President Trump; Musk posts on X that the messages could be used to “smear my name” while focusing on prosecuting serious crimes[1].

Feb 4 2026 – Melinda French Gates tells NPR that seeing Bill Gates’ name in the newly released files revives “unbelievable sadness” and painful marriage memories, while Bill Gates reiterates he never attended Epstein’s parties and regrets any interaction[4].

Feb 5 2026 – Unredacted nude photos and videos from the released Epstein files remain online for days, causing “irreparable” harm to survivors; the DOJ deletes thousands of files after admitting error and acknowledges a court‑ordered deadline will likely be missed[2].

Feb 5 2026 – Additional emails reveal Noam Chomsky’s February 2019 advice to Epstein to ignore hostile media coverage, with Chomsky lamenting “the horrible way” Epstein is treated and warning of “vultures” seeking public reaction[3][30].

Feb 21 2026 – The flood of released documents spawns fresh conspiracy theories, prompting Rep. Nancy Mace to demand answers from the CIA; Poland, Israel and France launch investigations into possible Russian or political links to Epstein, while AI‑generated deep‑fakes of public figures circulate online[6].

2026 (ongoing) – New Mexico forms a bipartisan Truth Commission to investigate a 2019 tip alleging murders of two “foreign” women at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, illustrating continued legislative efforts to probe unresolved aspects of the case[6].

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