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The long-running saga of the Jeffrey Epstein files took another dramatic turn this week. On Friday, January 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a massive trove of over 3.5 million documents. This release, made under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, has placed Donald Trump back in the center of a media storm. While the files contain a disturbing report of an alleged sexual assault on a young girl, Trump is insisting that the documents actually "absolve" him of any wrongdoing.
Trump’s Defiant Response
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after the release, Donald Trump was in high spirits. He told the press gaggle that he had been briefed by "very important people" about the contents of the 3.5 million pages. According to the President, the files prove that he was never part of Epstein’s criminal inner circle.
"I didn't see it myself, but I was told... that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping," Trump said.
He accused the "Radical Left" and his political enemies of hoping for a "smoking gun" that never appeared. To Trump, the lack of a formal criminal charge in these millions of pages is proof of his innocence. He has spent years distancing himself from Epstein, claiming their friendship ended in 2004 after a dispute over a Florida property.
The Allegation of Sexual Assault
Despite Trump’s claims of total absolution, the documents do contain troubling material. One specific FBI case file, dated October 2020, details an unverified allegation of sexual assault involving Trump and a young girl.
The file includes a report from an anonymous source who claimed that Trump and Epstein raped a girl in the mid-1990s. The document also references a limousine driver who reportedly overheard a "very concerning" phone call where Trump allegedly mentioned "abusing some girl."
However, it is important to note that the Justice Department included a specific disclaimer with these files. They stated that many of these claims were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election and were deemed "unfounded and false" by investigators. Because these were unverified tips from a "threat operations center," they do not carry the same weight as a formal indictment.
Trump Targets Michael Wolff
As part of his "scorched earth" legal strategy, Trump has narrowed his sights on author Michael Wolff. The new files suggest that Wolff may have been in contact with Epstein as far back as 2015 to discuss damaging information about Trump.
Trump claims that Wolff "conspired" with Epstein to create a political "bullet" to end his 2016 campaign.
The "Conspiracy" Claim: Trump says Epstein was not a true friend because he was working with writers to hurt him politically.
The Lawsuit: Trump has vowed to sue Wolff for defamation and "conspiracy," and he may even sue the Epstein estate itself.
What Else Is in the Files?
The 2026 release is the largest to date. Beyond the mentions of Trump, the files cover a wide range of powerful figures:
Bill Gates: Draft emails suggest Epstein tried to use information about Gates’ personal life to gain leverage.
Elon Musk: The files include email correspondence between Musk and Epstein regarding "parties." Musk has previously stated he only met Epstein once and found him "creepy."
Prince Andrew: Thousands of references to the former prince continue to emerge, including his invitations to Epstein for "private time" at Buckingham Palace.
The DOJ's Final Word
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the way the files were handled. Critics had accused the administration of "protecting" Trump by redacting his name. Blanche, who was once Trump’s personal lawyer, denied this. He stated that the department followed the law and that the "review is over."
Blanche admitted that while the files are full of "horrible photographs" and "sensationalist claims," they do not necessarily provide enough evidence for new criminal prosecutions. For many victims and their families, this is a disappointing end to a years-long wait for justice.
Conclusion
The 2026 Epstein file release has not provided the closure many hoped for. Instead, it has created a new battlefield. Donald Trump is using the "unverified" nature of the claims to declare victory, while his critics point to the sheer volume of allegations as a cause for concern. As Trump prepares his lawsuits against Michael Wolff, it is clear that the "ghost of Epstein" will continue to haunt American politics for the foreseeable future.
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