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FBI documents surface in Epstein case with unproven allegations against Trump
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has published FBI interview summaries involving a woman who accused Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual assault during her teenage years. The files, initially withheld due to a clerical error, emerged amid accusations of a cover-up by Democratic lawmakers.
Background and DOJ explanation
The documents were released following reports that they were missing from the DOJ's database. Officials acknowledged the files were mistakenly labeled as duplicates during the review process, leading to their exclusion from earlier disclosures.
The memos detail three interviews conducted in 2019 with an unnamed woman who alleged she was introduced to Trump by Epstein in the 1980s. She claimed both men sexually assaulted her between the ages of 13 and 15. The FBI did not pursue further contact with her after the interviews, according to the records.
Allegations and denials
The woman's claims remain uncorroborated, and it is unclear whether Trump and Epstein had a relationship during the period in question. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
In response to the newly released documents, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the allegations "completely baseless," stating they were "backed by zero credible evidence." She noted that the DOJ under the Biden administration had not pursued charges against Trump, asserting he "did absolutely nothing wrong."
Broader context of Epstein files
Trump is referenced thousands of times in the broader trove of Epstein-related documents, including emails and correspondence from Epstein himself. However, none of the survivors who have come forward have accused Trump of criminal conduct.
The files also include a list of allegations made against Trump, Epstein, and other high-profile figures through the FBI's national tip line. Many of these claims appear to be unverified, with little or no supporting evidence.
The DOJ previously stated that some documents contained "untrue and sensationalist claims" against Trump, submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election. Officials emphasized that such allegations lacked credibility and would have been leveraged against Trump if they held any merit.
Political fallout and congressional action
The release of the memos follows media reports, including from NPR and the New York Times, that the documents were initially omitted from the DOJ's public disclosures. Indexes and serial numbers indicated the FBI had conducted four interviews with the woman in 2019 as part of its investigation into Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2022.
Earlier this week, a House committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to address the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files. The vote saw rare bipartisan agreement, with Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight Committee uniting to demand answers.
Last November, Congress passed legislation requiring the DOJ to release all materials related to its Epstein investigations. Millions of documents have since been made public.
Historical ties between Trump and Epstein
Epstein and Trump were reportedly friends for several years before their relationship soured in the early 2000s, according to Trump. This occurred roughly two years before Epstein's first arrest.
