Newly released correspondence from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate suggests the disgraced financier believed Donald Trump had spent significant time with one of Epstein’s victims and may have known more about his activities than previously acknowledged. The emails, disclosed by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, are part of roughly 20,000 pages of material obtained from Epstein’s estate.
In a 2011 message to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein wrote cryptically that “the dog that hasn’t barked is Trump,” implying someone — not directly named — had “spent hours at my house with him” yet was never mentioned publicly. Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for aiding his abuse of underage girls.
The release comes as lawmakers prepare to force a vote compelling the Department of Justice to disclose additional Epstein investigation records, intensifying scrutiny of Trump’s past interactions with the financier.
The White House pushed back sharply. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Democrats were “selectively” leaking documents to smear the president, adding that the woman referenced in the emails has repeatedly stated Trump was not involved in wrongdoing and had been courteous in their limited encounters. She described the reports as a political distraction following the end of the government shutdown.
Trump has long insisted he severed ties with Epstein nearly 20 years ago and was unaware of his criminal behaviour.
Other emails released include a 2019 message in which Epstein claimed Trump once asked him to leave Mar-a-Lago, adding, “of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.” Another exchange from 2015 shows Epstein and author Michael Wolff discussing potential questions about Trump during a GOP primary event, with Wolff suggesting Epstein could use Trump’s denials as leverage.
Trump has faced growing pressure from parts of his base to release more information about Epstein, while expressing irritation at continued questions about their relationship. He maintains he “never went to the island” and had limited contact with Epstein.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee, said the new emails raise serious questions about what the White House may be withholding and renewed calls for the DOJ to release all remaining Epstein files.
Public interest in Trump’s ties to Epstein has continued to rise following the publication of a purported birthday note from Trump to Epstein, which the president denies writing. He has since launched a libel suit against Dow Jones, News Corp. and Rupert Murdoch.
Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting federal trial on sex-trafficking charges. Authorities ruled his death a suicide.
