The US Department of Justice has unsealed a massive new tranche of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, releasing at least 11,000 pages on Tuesday. The files contain fresh details that appear to involve Prince Andrew and suggest former US President Donald Trump used Epstein's private jet more frequently than previously known.
The 'Invisible Man' Emails and Balmoral Reference
Among the newly public records is a chain of correspondence that centres on a figure referred to as 'The Invisible Man'. Sky News analysis, based on the email address used and its listing in Epstein's contacts, indicates this pseudonym likely refers to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke of York.
One email, dated 16 August 2001, was sent to Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In it, 'The Invisible Man' asks about her time in Los Angeles, inquiring, "How's LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?" The same email exchange references "the girls" being "completely shattered" at a Royal Family summer camp at Balmoral, though the full context remains unclear.
Another email appears to show Maxwell arranging activities for 'The Invisible Man' during a trip to Peru. She writes of organising "two-legged sight seeing (read intelligent pretty fun and from good families)", assuring a contact she will only introduce him to "friends that you can trust." The Duke of York has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing related to his association with Epstein.
Trump's Alleged Flights and Unverified Claims
The document release also includes a January 2020 email from an unidentified prosecutor which claims Donald Trump travelled on Epstein's private jet "many more times than previously has been reported." The email asserts President Trump "is listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, including at least four flights on which Maxwell was also present."
Separately, a redacted FBI report from 27 October 2020 records an unverified claim from a limousine driver. The driver alleged he overheard Trump, during a 1995 journey, discussing "abusing some girl" and mentioning the name "Jeffrey." The US Department of Justice has explicitly stated that some documents "contain untrue and sensationalist claims" about President Trump, calling them "unfounded and false."
Fake Postcard and Ongoing Release Controversy
The files also contained a postcard, purportedly sent by Epstein, which included the line: "Our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls." The DOJ later investigated and declared the postcard a fake, noting the writing did not match Epstein's and it was postmarked three days after his death.
The slow pace of the document release has sparked political anger. The deadline for full disclosure has passed, leading some US politicians to threaten legal action against Attorney General Pam Bondi. Republican congressman Thomas Massie accused the DOJ of "protecting the rich, powerful, and politically connected." It is believed many files relating to Epstein remain unreleased to the public.
