Republican behind Epstein files act responds to Trump ‘lowlife’ taunt

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican, was publicly criticized by Donald Trump on Christmas for co-authoring the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of federal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, who referred to Massie as a "lowlife" on Truth Social, dismissed congressional interest in Epstein as a "scam". Massie responded on X by highlighting Trump's attack and soliciting campaign donations, citing his commitment to helping victims, a promise Trump himself made. The exchange underscores a growing rift between the two Republicans, stemming from Massie's push for transparency regarding Epstein, who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Massie has been a vocal advocate for holding those connected to Epstein accountable.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican, was publicly criticized by Donald Trump on Christmas for co-authoring the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of federal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, who referred to Massie as a "lowlife" on Truth Social, dismissed congressional interest in Epstein as a "scam". Massie responded on X by highlighting Trump's attack and soliciting campaign donations, citing his commitment to helping victims, a promise Trump himself made. The exchange underscores a growing rift between the two Republicans, stemming from Massie's push for transparency regarding Epstein, who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Massie has been a vocal advocate for holding those connected to Epstein accountable.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican, was publicly criticized by Donald Trump on Christmas for co-authoring the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of federal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, who referred to Massie as a "lowlife" on Truth Social, dismissed congressional interest in Epstein as a "scam". Massie responded on X by highlighting Trump's attack and soliciting campaign donations, citing his commitment to helping victims, a promise Trump himself made. The exchange underscores a growing rift between the two Republicans, stemming from Massie's push for transparency regarding Epstein, who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Massie has been a vocal advocate for holding those connected to Epstein accountable.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the discovery of over a million additional documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This discovery delays the congressionally mandated release of Epstein-related files, required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed last month. The DOJ stated it needs more time to review the documents and make necessary redactions to comply with the law, despite lawyers working "around the clock." The DOJ insists it will fully comply with federal law and the president's direction to release the files. A group of US senators is calling for an investigation into the DOJ's failure to meet the original deadline for releasing all Epstein records, citing the need for full disclosure for victims.

The US Department of Justice released over 11,000 documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Tuesday, as mandated by a new law requiring public disclosure of investigative files. These files, the largest tranche released to date, contain redacted names, including potential co-conspirators, drawing criticism from lawmakers. Donald Trump's name appears more frequently in this release, primarily in media clippings, with one email indicating he flew on Epstein's jet. The Justice Department cautioned that some files contain untrue claims about Trump. A notable email from 2001, sent by an individual identified as "A" from an address linked to a "Duke of York" contact in previous releases, asks Ghislaine Maxwell for "inappropriate friends," raising further questions about the network surrounding Epstein.

Newly released Epstein files contain numerous references to Donald Trump, including claims he flew on Epstein's private jet multiple times in the 1990s. A US attorney's email indicates Trump traveled on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, some with Ghislaine Maxwell and other individuals, including a 20-year-old woman on one occasion. The files, released by the Justice Department, also detail Epstein's relationship with Larry Summers. Notably, a purported letter from Epstein to Larry Nassar included in the release was later identified as a fake. While the files mention Trump's travel with potential witnesses in the Maxwell case, inclusion in the documents doesn't imply any wrongdoing.

Newly released Epstein files include an email from someone identifying as "A" at Balmoral in August 2001, requesting Ghislaine Maxwell find "inappropriate friends." The email was sent from "abx17@dial.pipex.com." Maxwell responded that she had only found "appropriate friends." Another email address, "aace@dial.pipex.com," is listed under "Duke of York" in Epstein's phone book. Further emails between Maxwell and "The Invisible Man," using both email addresses, discuss a trip to Peru in 2002, including arrangements for "girls." The sender of the emails signed off as "A." The BBC has contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's team for a response, although the emails do not indicate any wrongdoing.

Newly released Jeffrey Epstein files include an email from a New York prosecutor alleging that Donald Trump flew on Epstein's private jet eight times in the 1990s, with Ghislaine Maxwell present on at least four of those flights. This contradicts Trump's previous claim that he was never on Epstein's plane. The files, consisting of thousands of pages of documents and recordings, were released as part of an ongoing process. The Department of Justice issued a statement saying some documents included “untrue and sensationalist claims” about Trump and had been submitted to the FBI after the 2020 presidential election. The Trump administration had previously fought against the release of these Epstein-related documents.

A recently released FBI report reveals that Maria Farmer, sister of an Epstein victim, reported Jeffrey Epstein to the FBI in 1996 for allegedly stealing and selling nude photos of her sisters and requesting pictures of young girls. Farmer also reported that Epstein threatened her. Despite this report, the FBI apparently took no action, and Epstein continued to abuse girls for years. The report's release comes after the Justice Department failed to fully disclose all Epstein-related files by a court-ordered deadline. Farmer's attorney stated that had the government investigated her report properly, it could have spared over 1,000 victims and 30 years of trauma. The FBI has declined to comment on the matter.

Victims of Jeffrey Epstein are criticizing the U.S. government following the release of heavily redacted documents related to cases against the deceased sex offender. The Department of Justice began releasing the files on Friday to comply with a congressional mandate requiring disclosure, citing the need to obscure survivors' identifying information as the reason for redactions and delayed release. News outlets reported that at least 16 files, including one containing a photograph of former President Donald Trump, have disappeared from the public webpage. The released documents offered little new information regarding Epstein's crimes or prosecutorial decisions, omitting key materials like FBI interviews and DOJ memos. Victims, like Marina Lacerda, have expressed outrage, calling the redactions and unreleased documents a "slap in the face."

In a December 20, 2025 interview on UpFront, Me Too movement founder Tarana Burke discusses the movement's progress and the accountability of powerful men accused of sexual misconduct, particularly in light of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The discussion occurs after President Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, leading to the release of documents implicating numerous elites, including Trump himself, who has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault. While Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking, the interview explores whether the newly released documents will lead to further convictions and genuine accountability for survivors of sexual violence. The interview examines the impact of the Me Too movement eight years after its emergence and questions whether it has achieved enough for survivors.

After months of delays, the Trump administration is legally obligated to release a massive archive of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by Friday. The release is mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress after initial resistance from the White House. The files, which must be searchable and downloadable, include unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials linked to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals connected to his crimes. The release follows pressure from Trump's supporters and a bipartisan vote in Congress overriding previous opposition. While Trump signed the bill into law, concerns remain that the released information may be incomplete, with potentially damaging information withheld. The Justice Department is permitted to withhold records that identify victims.

After months of delays, the Trump administration is legally obligated to release a massive archive of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by Friday. The release is mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress after initial resistance from the White House. The files, which must be searchable and downloadable, include unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials linked to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals connected to his crimes. The release follows pressure from Trump's supporters and a bipartisan vote in Congress overriding previous opposition. While Trump signed the bill into law, concerns remain that the released information may be incomplete, with potentially damaging information withheld. The Justice Department is permitted to withhold records that identify victims.

After months of delays, the Trump administration is legally obligated to release a massive archive of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by Friday. The release is mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress after initial resistance from the White House. The files, which must be searchable and downloadable, include unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials linked to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and individuals connected to his crimes. The release follows pressure from Trump's supporters and a bipartisan vote in Congress overriding previous opposition. While Trump signed the bill into law, concerns remain that the released information may be incomplete, with potentially damaging information withheld. The Justice Department is permitted to withhold records that identify victims.

Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking for her role with Jeffrey Epstein, has filed a legal bid in a Manhattan court on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, to overturn her conviction and 20-year prison sentence. Maxwell, now 63, argues that "newly discovered evidence" proves constitutional violations occurred during her 2021 trial, preventing her from receiving a fair trial. She claims collusion between the plaintiff's lawyers and the government to conceal evidence and prosecutorial misconduct influenced the jury. Maxwell submitted the filing herself, without a lawyer. Her appeal comes shortly before the scheduled public release of records in her legal case, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

A BBC analysis revealed nearly 90 flights linked to Jeffrey Epstein arrived at or departed from UK airports between the early 1990s and 2018. These flights, some occurring after Epstein's 2008 conviction, included unidentified "females" as passengers, and three British women allegedly trafficked by Epstein appear in flight records. US lawyers representing Epstein's victims expressed shock at the lack of a full-scale UK investigation, despite a British victim's testimony aiding in Ghislaine Maxwell's US conviction. The Metropolitan Police stated they haven't received sufficient new evidence to reopen their investigation but will assess any new information. The US government is preparing to release further documents related to Epstein, potentially shedding more light on his activities.

A BBC investigation revealed that Jeffrey Epstein took nearly 90 flights to and from the UK between the early 1990s and 2018, significantly more than previously known. Flight logs and documents show that some of these flights included British women who allege they were abused by Epstein. Three British women who were allegedly trafficked appear in Epstein's records of flights in and out of the UK. US lawyers representing Epstein's victims are calling for a full-scale UK investigation into his activities, stating the UK was a "centerpiece" of his operations. One British victim, whose testimony helped convict Ghislaine Maxwell, was listed on over 10 Epstein-funded flights in and out of the UK but has never been contacted by UK police. The BBC investigation examined publicly available documents, including flight logs, to piece together Epstein's activities in the UK.