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Justice Department Removes Thousands of Epstein Files After Redaction Errors, Gates and Musk Respond

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  • Jeffrey Epstein in Cambridge, Massachussets in 2004.
    Image: BBC
    Jeffrey Epstein in Cambridge, Massachussets in 2004. (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • The US Department of Justice released around three million more documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Friday
    Image: BBC
    The US Department of Justice released around three million more documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Friday (Reuters) Source Full size
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  • President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to reporters after signing a spending bill that ends a partial shutdown of the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to reporters after signing a spending bill that ends a partial shutdown of the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Source Full size
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  • INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Bill Gates and Melinda Gates seen at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. Credit: hoo-me.com/MediaPunch /IPX
    Image: Newsweek
    INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Bill Gates and Melinda Gates seen at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. Credit: hoo-me.com/MediaPunch /IPX Source Full size
  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
    Image: BBC
    L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak (Getty Images) Source Full size
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  • Trump and Epstein were pictured at parties together in the 1990s - the president says the fell out in the early 2000s
    Image: BBC
    Trump and Epstein were pictured at parties together in the 1990s - the president says the fell out in the early 2000s (House Oversight Committee) Source Full size
  • The US Department of Justice released around three million more documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Friday
    Image: BBC
    The US Department of Justice released around three million more documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Friday (Reuters) Source Full size
  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
    Image: BBC
    L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak (Getty Images) Source Full size
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  • President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to reporters after signing a spending bill that ends a partial shutdown of the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to reporters after signing a spending bill that ends a partial shutdown of the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Source Full size
  • INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Bill Gates and Melinda Gates seen at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. Credit: hoo-me.com/MediaPunch /IPX
    Image: Newsweek
    INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Bill Gates and Melinda Gates seen at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. Credit: hoo-me.com/MediaPunch /IPX Source Full size
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  • Elon Musk arrive au club Mar-a-Lago, à Palm Beach (Floride), le 1ᵉʳ février 2026.MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP
    Image: Le Monde
    Elon Musk arrive au club Mar-a-Lago, à Palm Beach (Floride), le 1ᵉʳ février 2026.MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP (MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP) Source Full size
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  • Extraits des emails de Jeffrey Epstein, révélés par le ministère américain de la justice, le 30 janvier 2026.MINISTERE AMERICAIN DE LA JUSTICE
    Image: Le Monde
    Extraits des emails de Jeffrey Epstein, révélés par le ministère américain de la justice, le 30 janvier 2026.MINISTERE AMERICAIN DE LA JUSTICE (MINISTERE AMERICAIN DE LA JUSTICE) Source Full size
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  • Jeffrey Epstein (à droite) avec Noam Chomsky, photo non datée et non localisée, publiée le 18 décembre 2025.COMMISSION DE SURVEILLANCE DES DÉMOCRATES US VIA AFP
    Image: Le Monde
    Jeffrey Epstein (à droite) avec Noam Chomsky, photo non datée et non localisée, publiée le 18 décembre 2025.COMMISSION DE SURVEILLANCE DES DÉMOCRATES US VIA AFP (COMMISSION DE SURVEILLANCE DES DÉMOCRATES US VIA AFP) Source Full size

Massive DOJ Release Unveils Elite Connections The U.S. Justice Department published over three million pages of Jeffrey Epstein‑related documents on 30 January 2026, naming dozens of high‑profile individuals—including Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Richard Branson and former officials—while stressing that mere appearance in the files does not prove wrongdoing [13][18][17][4][2]. The dump also contains draft emails, photographs and financial records that map Epstein’s extensive social network across technology, politics and entertainment [13][17]. Lawmakers and advocacy groups have called for full disclosure, arguing the breadth of the material reveals a pattern of elite engagement with Epstein’s circle [4][11].

Privacy Breaches Prompt Immediate File Removal Soon after the release, victims and their attorneys identified unredacted nude photographs, full names, Social Security numbers and bank details of nearly 100 survivors, prompting outrage and claims that the exposure was “life‑threatening” [6][10][19][20][16]. The Department of Justice acknowledged “technical and staffing errors,” removed thousands of flagged documents, and asserted that only about 0.1 % of the material contained such breaches [6][10][19]. Victims’ lawyers filed urgent letters demanding a court‑ordered shutdown of the online repository and the appointment of an independent monitor [16][20].

Bill Gates Expresses Regret, Denies Impropriety In a 4 February interview with 9News Australia, Bill Gates said every minute spent with Epstein was regrettable and apologized for the meetings, emphasizing that his contact was limited to a few dinner events and never included travel to Epstein’s island [1][8][5]. Gates’ spokesperson called the alleged 2013 draft emails accusing him of a sexually transmitted disease “absurd and completely false,” describing them as part of Epstein’s attempt to defame [1][8][5]. Gates continues to deny any illegal activity and frames the episode as a “serious error in judgment” rather than criminal conduct [8][5].

Elon Musk’s Emails Reveal Island Interest Amid Denials The newly released files show Musk replying to Epstein in November 2012 that he and then‑wife Talulah Riley would attend a helicopter ride to the island and later asking which night would host “the wildest party,” contradicting his later public denial of any invitation [2][13][18]. Musk also posted on X that the documents might be used to “smear my name” and claimed former President Donald Trump suppressed the files because Trump appears in them [2][13]. Despite these exchanges, Musk maintains he never attended an Epstein party and has faced no formal accusations [2][13].

Melinda French Gates and Trump React to Files Melinda French Gates told NPR’s Wild Card podcast that the newly released documents revived “unbelievable sadness” and painful memories of her marriage, while asserting that accountability lies with those named, not with her [5][8][15]. President Trump, addressing reporters, said he had not read the files, urged the nation to move on, and claimed no incriminating material about him exists, even though his name appears over 6,000 times in the dump [4][14]. The House of Representatives has launched its own inquiry, scheduling testimony from Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, as Democrats and survivors demand fuller transparency [4][11].

DOJ Officials Downplay Criminality, Review Finds No New Charges Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the mandated review of the Epstein‑related files concluded with no evidence supporting additional prosecutions, emphasizing that “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein” [4][13]. Blanche’s comments have been criticized for minimizing the victims’ trauma, but the department maintains the release complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and that corrective steps are underway [13][6].

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Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein receives an 18‑month prison sentence after pleading guilty to running a minor‑prostitution ring, a conviction that later underpins many of the documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act [29].

2011 – An email from Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwell directly references Donald Trump, marking one of over 6,000 mentions of Trump in the files later released by the Justice Department [1].

Nov 24 2012 – Epstein asks Elon Musk whether he and his wife Talulah Riley will join a helicopter to Epstein’s island; Musk replies affirmatively [28].

Dec 25 2012 – Musk cancels the planned island trip, citing a change of mind, and again declines a Jan 4 2013 lunch on Saint‑Barth, indicating his limited involvement with Epstein [28].

July 18 2013 – Two unsigned emails allegedly drafted by Epstein accuse Bill Gates of contracting a sexually transmitted disease and of covering it up; Gates’s spokesperson later calls the claims “absolutely absurd” [3].

2013 – Josh Harris attends a breakfast with Epstein and later writes he is “happy to catch up” in 2016, showing continued contact despite public avoidance [4].

2013 – NFL owner Steve Tisch exchanges emails with Epstein offering to “bring the Russian” and asking “is she fun?”, a conversation the NFL later reviews for policy implications [4].

May 2017 – Former FIA president Jean Todt meets Epstein at his New York home after a Norwegian diplomat arranges the introduction, and Todt plans follow‑up meetings in Paris or Geneva [4].

July 2019 – Jeffrey Epstein is arrested on federal sex‑trafficking charges; he dies by suicide in a New York jail cell the following month while awaiting trial [2].

Feb 2019 – Epstein emails Noam Chomsky asking for advice on handling “putrid” press coverage; Chomsky replies that the best strategy is to ignore the “vultures” and warns that questioning abuse can become “a crime worse than murder” [2][30].

2022 – Melinda French Gates tells NPR’s Wild Card that seeing Bill Gates’s name in the newly released files revives “very, very painful times” in her marriage, though she says she has moved on [6].

2023 – In a Wall Street Journal interview, Chomsky confirms he knows Epstein casually, calling the matter “none of your business” and emphasizing a limited acquaintance [2].

Dec 3 2025 – House Oversight Committee Democrats release 14 never‑seen photos and videos of Epstein’s Little Saint James island, including a dental chair and a speed‑dial phone list, to pressure the DOJ for full transparency [27].

Dec 10 2025 – U.S. District Judge Richard Berman orders the unsealing of grand‑jury transcripts and exhibits related to Epstein, mandating public release by Dec 19 under the Epstein Files Transparency Act [23].

Dec 10 2025 – A second Manhattan judge, Richard M. Berman, grants a request to unseal additional Epstein‑related court records, reiterating the Act’s redaction requirements [24].

Dec 11 2025 – Goldman Sachs defends chief legal officer Kathy Ruemmler, who appears in over 100 Epstein emails; Ruemmler says she provided informal advice and denies formal representation of Epstein [22].

Dec 12 2025 – The House Oversight Committee releases 89 photos from Epstein’s estate showing Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Steve Bannon, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Woody Allen, Larry Summers and Alan Dershowitz, separate from the DOJ’s pending release [21].

Dec 16 2025 – The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed on Nov 19, sets a firm deadline of Dec 19 for the DOJ to publish all responsive files in a searchable format, barring victim identifiers and ongoing‑investigation material [26].

Dec 18 2025 – Rep. Ro Khanna warns that Attorney General Pam Bondi could face impeachment or contempt if the DOJ fails to meet the Dec 19 deadline, framing the issue as enforcement of the Transparency Act [20].

Dec 18 2025 – Survivors criticize the House Democrats’ selective release of Epstein estate photos, saying the piecemeal approach adds trauma and urging broader disclosure [19].

Dec 19 2025 – Analysts note that the first DOJ batch is incomplete, heavily redacted, and that Clinton‑related photos dominate the release, while Trump’s presence is limited [16].

Dec 19 2025 – The release vindicates survivor Maria Farmer, whose 1996 FBI complaint describing stolen photos of underage sisters appears in the files, confirming early warnings of Epstein’s abuse [17].

Dec 19 2025 – The Justice Department begins publicly releasing Epstein case files, though the article provides no specific details beyond the start of the process [18].

Dec 20 2025 – Survivors express nervousness over the heavily redacted files, demanding a full redaction log and warning that incomplete disclosure fuels conspiracy theories [15].

Dec 21 2025 – Survivors continue to voice frustration, with Liz Stein demanding all evidence be published and Marina Lacerda warning of lingering anxiety about future releases [15].

Dec 22 2025 – The DOJ restores a desk‑photo of Donald Trump after a review, stating the removal was due to concerns about unidentified individuals, not to protect the president [14].

Dec 22 2025 – A Clinton spokesperson urges the Trump administration and DOJ to release the complete set of Epstein records, citing the law’s requirement for full public access [13].

Dec 23 2025 – A massive batch of documents reveals Trump flew on Epstein’s jet at least eight times between 1993‑1996, more than previously known, while also showing Prince Andrew’s stalled testimony and a fake Larry Nassar letter [12].

Dec 24 2025 – The DOJ asks Southern District of Florida AUSAs to volunteer for holiday‑season redaction work, signaling that additional Epstein documents may be released in the coming days [11].

Dec 30 2025 – The Justice Department reports that it has released 12,285 documents (about 125,575 pages), representing less than 1 % of the over 2 million potentially responsive files still under review [10].

Jan 30 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announces the upload of more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images to the DOJ website, fulfilling part of the six‑million‑page cache mandated by the Transparency Act [7][8][9].

Feb 3 2026 – The DOJ removes thousands of previously posted files after flawed redactions expose victim email addresses and nude photos, prompting a court‑ordered review and a cancelled hearing [5].

Feb 4 2026 – Melinda French Gates tells NPR that the newly released files cause “unbelievable sadness” and revive painful memories of her marriage, while Bill Gates’s spokesperson denies any illegal activity and calls the allegations “absurd” [3].

Feb 4 2026 – President Donald Trump urges the nation to move on from the Epstein investigation, claiming “nothing came out about me” despite his name appearing over 6,000 times in the released documents [1].

Feb 4 2026 – New DOJ files expose post‑conviction contacts between Epstein and senior sports executives, including Jean Todt, Flavio Briatore, Josh Harris, Todd Boehly and Steve Tisch, though the agency notes naming does not prove wrongdoing [4].

Feb 4 2026 – The Justice Department releases the February 2019 Epstein‑Chomsky email exchange, highlighting Chomsky’s advice to ignore the press and his warning about “vultures” seeking a response [2].

Feb 5 2026 – The DOJ’s latest 3 million‑page release shows Elon Musk sought to travel to Epstein’s island with Talulah Riley in 2012, adding Musk to the list of billionaires documented in the files [28].

Feb 5 2026 – French media report a “deflagration” as the U.S. release of over three million pages mentions French politicians, filmmakers and cultural leaders, though no direct trafficking links are found [29].

Feb 5 2026 – The Chomsky‑Epstein email chain is highlighted again, with the linguist urging Epstein to “ignore the hysteria” and describing media critics as “vultures,” underscoring the breadth of high‑profile contacts documented in the DOJ release [30].

Feb 2026 (upcoming) – The House of Representatives schedules former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to testify in February as part of its separate Epstein inquiry, following Republican warnings of contempt charges [1].

Feb 2026 (future) – The Justice Department signals that additional documents may be released after completing a thorough review of redaction errors identified in the February 3 pull‑back [5].

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