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Democratic Lawmakers Seat Epstein Survivors at Trump’s 2026 State of the Union

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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
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  • UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 18: Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 16, speaks during the news conference with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
    UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 18: Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 16, speaks during the news conference with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 18: Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 16, speaks during the news conference with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images) Source Full size
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    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
    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
  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
    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
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing
    Image: BBC
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing (US Department of Justice) Source Full size
  • Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women
    Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women
    Image: BBC
    Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women (US Department of Justice) Source Full size
  • UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 18: Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 16, speaks during the news conference with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
    UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 18: Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 16, speaks during the news conference with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 18: Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein when she was 16, speaks during the news conference with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images) 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
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    Image: AP
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    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size

DOJ Releases Half of Epstein Files, Including Trump‑Related Material The Justice Department made public roughly 3 million of the 6 million pages seized under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, describing the batch as the final release of that portion of the investigation [1][7]. Among the newly available documents are 3,200 files that mention Donald Trump, an alleged 2002 email exchange between Ghislaine Maxwell and then‑first‑lady Melania Trump, and numerous unverified tips alleging sexual abuse dating from the 1980s‑2000s [1][2]. The administration says the release satisfies legal obligations, while survivors continue to demand the remaining three million pages [1].

Democratic Lawmakers Invite Survivors to 2026 State of the Union At least six House Democrats announced they will bring Epstein survivors to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union on February 27, using the high‑profile event to press for full disclosure of the still‑unreleased files [1]. Confirmed guests include Rep. Ro Khanna’s invitee Haley Robson, Rep. Jamie Raskin’s guests Sky and Amanda Roberts, Rep. Melanie Stansbury’s invitee state Rep. Andrea Romero, Rep. Robert Garcia’s Annie Farmer, Rep. Maxine Dexter’s Lisa Phillips, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Dani Bensky [1]. The move follows weeks of survivor protests and congressional subpoenas demanding more transparency [1].

Trump Maintains No Connection, Claims Exoneration President Trump repeatedly asserted on Air Force One that he has “nothing to hide,” is “totally exonerated,” and has never been charged in connection with Jeffrey Epstein [1][7]. He denied any personal or business relationship with Epstein, reiterating that any alleged contacts occurred decades ago and were unrelated to the crimes under investigation [1]. The White House echoed his stance, saying the administration has cooperated fully with congressional oversight and released thousands of pages of documents [7].

Clinton Calls Administration’s Disclosure “Cover‑Up” In a BBC interview from Berlin, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused the Trump administration of “slow‑walking” the release of Epstein materials and urged a complete public dump of all related files [7]. A White House spokesperson countered that the administration has already released “thousands of pages,” complied with the House Oversight subpoena, and that President Trump has called for further investigations [7]. The clash underscores the partisan battle over how much of the remaining three million pages should be made public [7].

Broader Elite Names Appear, All Deny Criminal Involvement The BBC report highlighted dozens of high‑profile individuals newly linked in the released files, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Steve Bannon, Howard Lutnick, Larry Summers, Sergey Brin, former Israeli PM Ehud Barak, Deepak Chopra, and Leslie Wexner [2]. Each has issued statements denying any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s sexual‑abuse activities, with some offering limited‑contact explanations for their appearances in the documents [2]. The releases note that mere inclusion does not imply illegal conduct, a point emphasized by multiple governments and the DOJ [2].

Maxwell Lawyers Seek to Block Additional 90,000‑Page Release Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorneys filed a Manhattan federal court motion on February 21 to prevent the Justice Department from unsealing 90,000 pages from a settled civil defamation suit brought by Virginia Giuffre [4]. 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 [4]. The filing reflects ongoing legal battles over the scope of public access to the extensive Epstein archive [4].

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Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein pleads guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution, receives an 18‑month sentence in a controversial non‑federal deal, and the case records 33 identified victims, establishing the first major legal acknowledgment of his abuse [28].

2009 – A survivor known as “Jane Doe” reports her abuse to the FBI, later discovering her name appears unredacted in the 2025 DOJ releases, prompting unwanted calls and claims the redaction process failed [14].

2012 Nov‑Dec – Elon Musk emails Jeffrey Epstein asking about “the wildest party” and expressing a desire to “hit the party scene in St Barts,” later posting on X that the messages “could be used to smear my name” while urging focus on prosecuting “those who committed serious crimes with Epstein” [1].

2013 July – Two draft emails allegedly authored by Epstein target Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, mentioning “medicine for Gates…sex with Russian girls”; Gates’s spokesperson calls the claim “absurd and completely false” [1][4].

2018‑19 – Steve Bannon exchanges texts with Epstein discussing image‑repair strategies, later cited in the 2026 document dump as evidence of high‑profile coordination [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, warning that “vultures dearly want” public reaction [3][30].

July 2019 – Federal agents arrest Epstein on sex‑trafficking charges; he dies by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell the following month, intensifying scrutiny of his network [3][9][8].

2021 – Ghislaine Maxwell is convicted of sex‑trafficking and sentenced to 20 years, while Bill Gates acknowledges a 2019 affair with a Microsoft employee, adding to marital strain with Melinda French Gates [4][24].

2022 – Maxwell begins serving her 20‑year sentence, underscoring the ongoing legal fallout from the Epstein case [28].

2023 – In a Wall Street Journal interview, Noam Chomsky downplays his relationship with Epstein, stating his first response to inquiries is “it is none of your business” [3].

Dec 9 2025 – A New York judge grants the DOJ’s request to unseal grand‑jury transcripts, financial records and interview notes from the Maxwell‑Epstein investigation, paving the way for broader public access [25].

Dec 17 2025 – Ghislaine Maxwell files a pro se habeas petition alleging juror bias and collusion by victim‑lawyers, seeking extraordinary relief after earlier appeals are denied [24].

Dec 18 2025 – House Oversight Democrats release 68 new Epstein‑estate images, including redacted IDs from women of multiple nationalities and a photo of DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, citing the upcoming DOJ unsealing deadline [23].

Dec 20 2025 – The DOJ’s initial batch of heavily redacted files includes photos of Bill Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell; a Clinton spokesperson accuses Donald Trump of scapegoating while emphasizing “the issue is not about Clinton” [16].

Dec 22 2025 – CNN verifies that “Jane Doe’s” name remains visible in the released files, leading her to receive unsolicited calls and survivors to label the exposure “irreparable” [14][2].

Dec 23 2025 – A DOJ‑internal email dated 7 Jan 2020 confirms Donald Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993‑96, with Ghislaine Maxwell aboard four of those trips, contradicting Trump’s public denial of any such travel [13].

Dec 24 2025 – The Justice Department announces it has uncovered more than one million additional Epstein‑related documents, delaying a full release while lawyers continue redaction work [12].

Dec 26 2025 – In a Truth Social Christmas message, President Donald Trump accuses opponents of “tying” him to Epstein and claims “others closer to the convicted sex offender shield him,” reiterating his denial of any wrongdoing [11].

Jan 16 2026 – Attorney General Pam Bondi writes to federal judges that over 500 DOJ staff are reviewing the Epstein cache, describing the effort as “substantial progress” despite inevitable technical glitches [10].

Jan 30 2026 – The DOJ posts more than three million pages, 2 000 videos and 180 000 images of Epstein‑related records, including emails linking Epstein to Prince Andrew, Elon Musk, and a spreadsheet of unverified Trump tips, while Deputy AG Todd Blanche warns “there’s a hunger…that I don’t think will be satisfied” [8][9].

Jan 31 2026 – The Justice Department expands the release to over three million pages, adding further Elon Musk‑Epstein correspondence (a 2012 island‑travel request) and confirming the earlier batch’s scope [8].

Feb 3 2026 – The Justice Department makes public millions of new Epstein investigation files, adding dozens of powerful names such as Richard Branson, Lord Mandelson and Howard Lutnick; Bill Gates’s spokesperson reiterates he “never attended Epstein’s parties” and calls allegations “absurd” [1][4].

Feb 4 2026 – After victims expose unredacted nude photos and identifying details, the DOJ removes thousands of flagged documents, citing “technical or human error,” while Deputy AG Todd Blanche admits the congressional redaction deadline will be missed [5][2].

Feb 4 2026 – Melinda French Gates tells NPR the newly released files revive “unbelievable sadness” and remind her of “very painful times” in her marriage, demanding answers from those named [4].

Feb 5 2026 – BBC Verify finds dozens of unredacted victim names, faces and medical scans still online, with victim‑rights lawyer Brad Edwards calling the damage “irreparable” and survivor Ashley Rubright labeling it “a huge violation” [2].

Feb 5 2026 – The DOJ’s 3‑million‑page dump reveals Elon Musk’s 2012 attempts to travel to Epstein’s island (which never materialized), Bill Gates’s and Reid Hoffman’s regretted contacts, and includes Musk’s June 5 2025 X post blaming Trump for suppressing the files [29][1].

Feb 5 2026 – French media report a “deflagration” after the DOJ releases three million pages showing emails between Epstein and numerous French politicians, filmmakers and cultural leaders, though Le Monde finds no evidence of French involvement in trafficking [28].

Feb 5 2026 – The Chomsky‑Epstein email exchange from February 2019 is highlighted again, with Chomsky’s advice that “the best course was to ignore the coverage” and his warning that “vultures dearly want” public reaction [30][3].

Feb 23 2026 – Updated reporting confirms the February 3 release added dozens of elite names, including Elon Musk’s party‑planning messages and Bill Gates’s alleged resignation‑style email, while all appearing individuals issue denials or limited‑contact explanations [1].

Feb 24 2026 – At least six House Democrats invite Epstein survivors to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union on Feb 27, 2026, using the platform to demand full disclosure of the remaining undisclosed Epstein files [6].

Feb 27 2026 (anticipated) – President Trump delivers the State of the Union, with invited Epstein survivors expected to sit with Democratic members of Congress to press for the release of the remaining half of the seized Epstein documents [6].

Future (2026 Q2) – The Justice Department signals that additional Epstein‑related records will continue to be released in the coming weeks, as attorneys work “around the clock” to complete redactions and comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act [2][5].

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