The US Justice Department's latest document release has provided a chilling, first detailed look inside a bizarre, cube-shaped structure on Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island, a building long shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories.
The Temple's Eerie Interior
Photos included in the trove of over 300,000 files show the interior of the blue and white striped building on Little Saint James in a state of disrepair. The images, believed to have been taken some time after a hurricane reportedly ripped off a gold dome pre-2017, depict exposed cement panels and scattered pieces of wood. A pair of mattresses, left to decay inside yellowed shrink wrap, were also photographed within the enigmatic space.
Most striking is the hand-painted ceiling, which features a cloudy sky adorned with various animals, constellations, and zodiac symbols—elements that have fuelled intense speculation about their potential coded meanings. A large, empty wooden bookshelf remains in good condition, contrasting with other unfinished-looking elements in the room. One side of the structure appears to be missing a window entirely.
The temple was constructed between 2009 and 2013 at the southwestern edge of the island, which Epstein purchased in 1998. Prior to this release, public knowledge of the building came solely from aerial drone footage, as the 78-acre island was kept under intense security.
Disturbing Personal Photos Also Emerge
The temple images were among thousands of records offering the most detailed view to date of nearly two decades of government scrutiny into Epstein's sexual abuse of young women and minors. Other released photographs were far more personally incriminating.
Framed photos displayed at Epstein's island mansion showed the convicted sex offender kissing and cuddling young girls, who appear to be minors, aboard his private jet, the so-called 'Lolita Express'. In one image, he holds a girl on his lap during a flight. It remains unclear if the females in these undated pictures were among the many victims of his trafficking ring, which allegedly abused girls as young as 11.
The document dump, while extensive, was heavily redacted and contained no major new revelations. Notably absent were key records such as FBI interviews with survivors and internal DOJ memos examining charging decisions—documents that could explain why Epstein was allowed to plead guilty to a minor state prostitution charge in 2008.
Political Fallout and Accusations of a Cover-Up
The release sparked immediate political controversy. At least 16 photographs, including one showing Donald Trump flanked by women in bikinis, were temporarily removed from the online records on Saturday, prompting accusations of a cover-up from Democrats. The images were later reinstated.
The DOJ stated the Trump photo was flagged by the Southern District of New York "for potential further action to protect victims." The tranche also included photographs of former President Bill Clinton and celebrities like Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the extensive redactions and the decision to release only a fraction of the files by the congressionally mandated deadline, stating it was necessary to protect victims' identities. He pledged the administration would eventually meet its legal obligations.
Blanche also addressed the recent transfer of Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, to a less restrictive prison, citing "numerous threats against her life" as the reason for the move for her safety. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
Despite the volume of material, the release has not quelled demands for full transparency. Bipartisan criticism persists, with lawmakers like California Democrat Ro Khanna and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie threatening potential impeachment articles against Attorney General Pam Bondi for alleged failures to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
