At least 16 files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein vanished from a publicly accessible Justice Department webpage less than 24 hours after their release, triggering political scrutiny and questions over transparency. Among the missing material was a file containing a photograph showing President Donald Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Epstein&rsquo;s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The files were available on Friday but were no longer accessible by Saturday. In addition to the Trump photograph, the removed material included images of paintings depicting nude women and photographs stored inside drawers and along a credenza. No public notice or explanation was issued regarding the removal, and queries seeking clarification went unanswered.
The disappearance comes amid the broader release of thousands of Epstein-related records that named several high-profile figures, including former US president Bill Clinton. Notably, while Trump appeared in a photograph that was later removed, his name was absent from the written documents released in this tranche, despite his documented past association with Epstein.
Officials stated that only a partial set of files had been released, citing the extensive time required to review the material and the need to protect Epstein&rsquo;s victims. Much of the disclosed content was heavily redacted, with several documents exceeding 100 pages entirely blacked out.
The release was undertaken in an effort to comply with a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress in November, mandating the disclosure of all Epstein-related records. The move followed months of resistance to making the files public.
Trump&rsquo;s absence from the written documents drew attention, as his name has appeared in earlier Epstein-related disclosures, including flight manifests from Epstein&rsquo;s private aircraft that were made public earlier this year. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing and has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein&rsquo;s criminal activities.
The newly released material included a 1996 complaint submitted to federal investigators alleging Epstein&rsquo;s involvement in &ldquo;child pornography,&rdquo; years before law enforcement formally began investigating his conduct.
Photographs released on Friday featured numerous prominent figures, including the late news anchor Walter Cronkite, musicians Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross, British entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. The images were largely undated and released without context, and none of the individuals shown have been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
One image also showed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across the laps of several women. The former Duke of York, who was stripped of his royal titles over his association with Epstein, has denied any wrongdoing.
The extent of redactions and the volume of unreleased material sparked anger among Epstein&rsquo;s victims. Marina Lacerda, one of the survivors, criticised the disclosure process, calling it deeply frustrating and insufficient.
&ldquo;All of us are infuriated by this. It&rsquo;s another slap in the face. We expected way more,&rdquo; she said.
Authorities indicated that hundreds of thousands of additional pages remain under review for potential future release. The documents already made public include evidence from multiple investigations into Epstein, along with numerous photographs of Clinton, whose association with Epstein has long been a point of political contention.

16 Epstein files vanish from DOJ site, including Trump photo, sparking questions

Epstein Files Vanish, Trump Photo Missing

16 Epstein files vanish from DOJ site, including Trump photo, sparking questions

December 21, 2025 | 18:46 IST