Epstein files live updates: Elon Musk’s island invitation and Andrew’s nickname among new details revealed

Some of the files released on Friday include heavy redactions — as did those previously released by the Department of Justice.

For example, one 7-page document is completely blacked out.

Following the publication of the files, a bipartisan group of lawmakers requested a meeting with DOJ officials to discuss the redactions.

Congressman James Walkinshaw, a Virginia Democrat, accused the Department of Justice of withholding a large share of the Epstein files, following the department’s publication of more than three million documents on Friday.

“Today, the Trump DOJ released 50% of the Epstein files, and are refusing to release the remainder,” Walkinshaw wrote on X on Friday evening. “Why are they hiding the full truth? We’ll keep fighting for the transparency demanded by the survivors of Epstein’s crimes. This cover-up won’t hold.”

Earlier, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the massive data dump complies with federal law and “marks the end of a very comprehensive” review process.

The DOJ web page displaying the Epstein files now asks users if they are 18 years or older due to possible depictions of pornography or nudity.

“They include large quantities of commercial pornography and images that were seized from Epstein’s devices, but which he did not take, or that someone around him did not take,” Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday.

Ghislaine Maxwell claimed in court documents that 25 male associates of Jeffrey Epstein made “secret settlements” to avoid prosecution.

The explosive allegation appeared in a December 17 habeas corpus petition submitted by Maxwell’s attorneys seeking to overturn her criminal conviction. The full petition was published online by Courthouse News Service, a news organization that covers litigation.

Brendan Rascius has the full story:

Donald Trump’s name name appears in the latest release more than 3,000 times, according to analysis from The Independent – using the search function on the DOJ website.

It comes despite Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche insisting that there was no new evidence that would “satisfy” people – indirectly referring to conspiracies about the president.

“I can assure that we complied with the statute, we complied with the act and we did not protect President Trump,” Blanche said during a press conference Friday morning.