...
By Gabe Whisnant
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Justice Department and FBI records reviewed as part of the latest Epstein-related disclosures contain dozens of tips and allegations referencing President Donald Trump and other prominent figures, many of which were deemed not credible by investigators.
The documents, drawn largely from FBI National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) tips, include allegations of sexual assault, sex trafficking, coerced sexual acts involving minors, and organized sex parties tied to Epstein and his associates spanning from the 1980s through the mid-2000s. No charges resulted from the tips described, and the records repeatedly note instances where complainants could not be contacted, failed to corroborate claims, or were assessed by agents as not credible.
The files released Friday appear to contain at least 3,200 documents that mention President Trump, the New York Times reported Friday. The DOJ said this cache was its final release related to its obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Read More on News
White House, DOJ Push Back on Unverified Claims
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday morning that the department is not making any attempts to protect President Trump as it continues releasing the roughly 3 million files related to the Epstein investigations.
When reached for comment, the White House referred Newsweek to the DOJ press release, which states, "This production may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos, as everything that was sent to the FBI by the public was included in the production that is responsive to the Act. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims 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 have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already."
Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and has not been charged or accused by prosecutors in connection with the billionaire’s crimes.
Read the DOJ's Jeffrey Epstein Files in full here.
...
Uncorroborated Allegations Spanning Decades
One entry describes a tip reporting that an underage girl was allegedly forced to perform a sex act with Trump about 35 years ago in New Jersey. The document states the girl was said to be about 13 or 14 at the time and that federal authorities forwarded the lead to the FBI’s Washington office for follow‑up. The records do not indicate whether investigators were able to substantiate the account or interview the alleged victim.
Other entries outline allegations that investigators said they could not corroborate or deemed not credible, including a claim from a woman who alleged she witnessed a sex‑trafficking operation at a Trump golf course in California in the mid‑1990s.
Another complaint, which did not include contact information for the accuser, alleges that so-called “calendar girls” parties at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort involved the sexual exploitation of children. According to the complaint, Epstein brought children to the gatherings and Trump allegedly auctioned them off, with the children subjected to sexually explicit examinations and ratings. The allegations have not been substantiated.
Additional tips describe allegations of sexual abuse involving Trump dating back to the 1980s, including claims investigators said they were unable to pursue after failing to contact the complainants.
Several entries involve callers reporting abuse of friends or third parties rather than firsthand accounts. Others describe alleged assaults at Epstein’s New York and Florida residences, at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, at Mar-a-Lago, and at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
In several entries, investigators documented follow-up efforts, including attempted interviews, voicemail messages, and referrals to other FBI field offices. Many tips resulted in no further action due to a lack of corroboration, inability to locate alleged victims, or credibility concerns.
The emails do not indicate when the tips were received and do not explain why investigators assembled the summary in August 2025. The documents do not indicate that the allegations against Trump or other named individuals were substantiated or resulted in criminal charges.
...
Melania Trump’s Alleged Emails With Ghislaine Maxwell
The Department of Justice's latest release of records from its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein contains an alleged email exchange between his former confidant and girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, and first lady Melania Trump.
In the 2002 exchange, Maxwell and the current first lady, who was not yet married to President Donald Trump at the time, allegedly discussed a story in New York magazine and travel plans. Melania also allegedly asked Maxwell to call her when Maxwell was back in New York, according to the records.
Melania Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein investigation.
Commerce Secretary Lutnick May Have Visited Epstein’s Island
The records also include complaints and mentions of additional public figures.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears to be referenced in recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents that suggest he was invited to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, according to records made public Friday.
In December 2012, Epstein invited Lutnick to his island for lunch, the documents show. An email response from Lutnick’s wife, Allison Lutnick, indicates she accepted the invitation and said the family planned to arrive by yacht with their children. Separate records show Lutnick and Epstein met for drinks in 2011, according to a schedule shared with Epstein.
Lutnick has previously sought to distance himself from Epstein. In a 2025 interview, he said he severed ties with the disgraced financier decades ago, calling Epstein “gross.”
Documents indicate the two men’s interactions continued in later years. In 2018, Epstein contributed to a philanthropic dinner honoring Lutnick, according to email exchanges. Emails from the year before show the two men corresponded about the construction of a building located across the street from both of their homes.
A Department of Commerce spokesperson told Newsweek via email, "This is nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration’s accomplishments including securing Trillions of dollars in investment, delivering historic trade deals and fighting for the American worker. Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."
Democrats Respond to Latest Epstein Release
The DOJ, Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, told Newsweek on Friday, continues to withhold files related to Epstein.
"The DOJ said it identified over 6 million potentially responsive pages but is releasing only about 3.5 million after review and redactions. This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld," Khanna told Newsweek in an email after the release.
More Epstein Records Expected
Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor said Friday that additional records related to the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex‑trafficking cases will be released, even as some materials remain temporarily withheld.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton told federal judges overseeing the records that certain documents are being held back while the government awaits further guidance from civil and criminal courts. In a letter to the judges, Clayton said his office continues to consult with victims and their attorneys, including during a call on Thursday, and has invited victims to alert the Justice Department if they believe any released material should be redacted.
Updates: 1/30/26, 4:07 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Updates: 1/30/26, 4:58 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Updates: 1/30/26, 6:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 1/30/26, 7:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines