So this is why Trump fought releasing Epstein files Opinion by The Atlantic

In a striking release this week, The Atlantic uncovered revelations that cast a new light on Donald Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, challenging the president’s repeated denials. 

Nearly two years ago, Trump took to Truth Social, asserting, “I was never on Epstein’s Plane, or at his ‘stupid’ Island,” blaming AI and political opponents for false claims. Yet documents released by the Justice Department—including flight logs and emails—tell a different story: federal prosecutors had determined in January 2020 that Trump had been a passenger on Epstein’s infamous private jet far more frequently than previously understood.

Many of these flights, on the so-called Lolita Express, coincided with the period investigators would have expected to charge in a Maxwell case. Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted and sentenced to 20 years for her role in trafficking minors and using the plane to transport victims. 

Trump’s name appears over 100 times in the released files, part of the DOJ’s compliance with legislation requiring full disclosure of Epstein-related material. Although many mentions stem from news reports or unverified tips, one clear conclusion is that Trump’s relationship with Epstein—once a friend—was of longstanding interest to federal law enforcement.

A White House official said Trump was never contacted regarding his interactions with Epstein during the charged periods. Trump continues to deny wrongdoing, but his statements about his relationship with Epstein have shifted over time. Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, maintained, “The truth remains: Donald Trump did nothing wrong.” Critics, however, question how Trump could have been unaware of Epstein’s criminal activity given their history and close association. 

Congressional members from both parties have indicated ongoing scrutiny, with Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie noting, “Although the files are overly redacted, they’ve already demonstrated that the narrative painted by Patel in hearings, Bondi in press statements, and Trump himself on social media wasn’t accurate.”

The House Oversight Committee is preparing subpoenas and a contempt resolution against Attorney General Pam Bondi for incomplete disclosure, along with potential articles of impeachment. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized excessive redactions and missed deadlines, stating, “The Department of Justice needs to shed more light on who was on the list, how they were involved, and why they chose not to prosecute.” The DOJ announced discovery of over a million additional Epstein-related documents, with review and redactions expected to take weeks.

Survivors of Epstein’s abuse expressed cautious optimism. Attorney Sigrid McCawley observed that the “avalanche” of new documents confirms that “these brave survivors were absolutely correct that the government was withholding critical information from the public.” For those tracking Trump and Epstein, the files offer both revelation and accountability, illustrating how federal transparency battles continue to unfold in the public eye.

By Jeyhun Aghazada