One day after the DOJ's partial release of Jeffrey Epstein documents, some files were swiftly removed from the new 'Epstein Library' website amid concerns over sensitive content, while photos linking Bill Clinton to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell fueled sharp partisan responses. Bipartisan lawmakers continued criticizing redactions as more materials are expected.
Following the Justice Department's launch of the 'Epstein Library' website on December 19, 2025—with over 4,000 files and 8,500 pages including court records, FOIA documents, and Epstein's prison cell videos—NPR analysis found more than a dozen files posted Friday gone by Saturday afternoon. Notable among them: a document showing President Trump's photo on a desk next to nude images and artwork. The DOJ acknowledged potential inadvertent sensitive content, including sexual matters, and invited reports of improper postings, but offered no comment on specific removals.
New disclosures included a previously undisclosed 1996 FBI report accusing Epstein of child pornography and threatening an accuser by saying he would burn her house down. Photos featured former President Bill Clinton swimming in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell, in a hot tub with a redacted woman (faces obscured for minors, victims, or officials), posing with Epstein in matching shirts, with a redacted woman on his lap on an airplane, interacting with a dancer, dining with Mick Jagger alongside Maxwell and Epstein, and with Michael Jackson.
Clinton's chief of staff, Angel Ureña, responded on X: "There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We’re in the first." He accused the Trump administration of scapegoating Clinton to shield others in the late-Friday dump.
Trump officials countered aggressively: White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted, "Slick Willy! @BillClinton just chillin, without a care in the world." Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson highlighted the hot tub photo, urging media scrutiny.
Bipartisan criticism intensified. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) demanded unredacted drafts implicating other powerful figures, while cosponsor Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) called the release non-compliant with the law, warning of potential convictions. The DOJ cited caution for over 1,200 victims, with hundreds of thousands more pages forthcoming.
Trump's mentions remain rare in this batch, though prior Epstein materials showed his frequent contacts. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 amid federal charges; Clinton denies knowledge of crimes and faces no accusations.
