A newly released batch of Epstein files contains numerous references to Donald Trump, including a claim that he flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet several times in the 1990s alongside women who may have been potential witnesses in later investigations.
The documents do not accuse Trump of any criminal wrongdoing. Inclusion in the files does not imply guilt, and there is no indication that any woman mentioned was a victim of a crime.
The latest tranche, released on Tuesday by the US justice department, follows a similar disclosure last week relating to federal investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender.
Among the documents is an internal email from a senior US attorney dated 7 January 2020, titled “Epstein flight records”. The email states that Trump travelled on Epstein’s private jet more frequently than previously reported.
According to the email, Trump is listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996. On at least four of those flights, Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell was also present.
The email further claims Trump travelled at various times with his then-wife Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric.
One flight in 1993 reportedly listed only Epstein and Trump as passengers. Another listed Epstein, Trump and a then 20-year-old woman whose name is redacted.
Two other flights allegedly included women who could have served as witnesses in a potential case against Maxwell, who was later convicted of sex trafficking offences.
The justice department said the documents were being released as part of a transparency effort, but warned that some claims within the files are untrue.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said nearly 30,000 additional pages had been made public and that some contained “untrue and sensationalist claims” submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election.
“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false,” the statement said, adding that credible allegations would already have been used against Trump if they existed.
Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes and has said he was unaware of Epstein’s illegal activities. The two men were socially acquainted for more than a decade before falling out in 2004.
During his most recent presidential campaign, Trump pledged to release Epstein-related files. That promise drew renewed scrutiny this summer when the justice department said it had found no incriminating client list, despite earlier comments from attorney general Pam Bondi suggesting such a document existed.
The announcement triggered bipartisan criticism and renewed focus on Epstein’s ties to powerful figures.
The new batch of documents also contains multiple references to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew.
Among the materials is a photograph of an Austrian passport bearing Epstein’s photograph but the name “Marius Fortelni”, with Saudi Arabia listed as the country of residence.
An internal email exchange suggests Fortelni is a real estate developer who once lived in Saudi Arabia. Prosecutors discussed contacting him to ask why a passport in his name, but with Epstein’s photograph, was found in a safe at Epstein’s mansion.
Fortelni did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The files also include extensive correspondence relating to Epstein’s controversial 2007 plea deal in Florida, which allowed him to avoid federal prosecution and served limited jail time.
One 2007 email refers to allegations that magician David Copperfield raped a woman described as an adult female. The Guardian has previously identified the accuser as Lacey Carroll. Copperfield has said he was exonerated by federal authorities.
The email claims Epstein gave women tickets with backstage passes to Copperfield shows and that Copperfield had met women at Epstein’s home. The sender and recipient are redacted.
Epstein was found dead in his New York jail cell on 10 August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
Later on Tuesday, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for greater transparency from the justice department.
He said the files include an email indicating prosecutors were investigating at least ten potential co-conspirators and demanded clarification on who they were, how they were involved, and why charges were not brought.
“Protecting possible co-conspirators is not the transparency the American people and Congress are demanding,” Schumer said.
