Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee have released a cache of 68 previously unseen photographs from the estate of convicted paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The grim release comes just one day before a legal deadline forces the full disclosure of the Epstein files.
A Disturbing Glimpse into Epstein's World
Among the newly public images is one particularly unsettling photograph. It shows the late financier seated behind a desk, apparently receiving a massage from an unidentified woman. Two other women flank him on either side. In a move to protect identities, the faces of all three women have been obscured with black squares.
The photo dump, obtained from the Epstein estate, contains other disturbing elements. Lines from the controversial novel 'Lolita' are seen scrawled across a young woman's body. Also included are copies of various passports and a screenshot of text messages that appear to discuss an 18-year-old from Russia alongside the phrase "$1,000 per girl".
High-Profile Figures Appear in New Snaps
The photographs also place several prominent figures in proximity to Epstein. American linguist and political theorist Noam Chomsky is pictured with the disgraced financier. In another image, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is seen with an unidentified woman, whose face is also covered.
It remains unclear if the women pictured with Gates and in the massage scene are the same individuals. Gates has previously stated in a CNN interview that he had "several dinners" with Epstein to discuss a philanthropy project that ultimately never materialised. He has called associating with Epstein "a huge mistake".
Other notable appearances in the released photographs include former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, seen in a meeting with Epstein, and filmmaker Woody Allen wearing a hood.
Political Battle Over Transparency
The release was orchestrated by Democrats on the Oversight Committee, led by Rep. Robert Garcia. He stated the move was intended "to provide transparency for the American people" ahead of the deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The full trove of documents is expected to be made public tomorrow night.
In a statement, Garcia argued the images "raise more questions about what exactly the Department of Justice has in its possession." He accused the White House of a cover-up, demanding the immediate release of all files.
The White House has previously pushed back against such allegations, accusing Democrats of selectively choosing photos to craft a "false narrative" around former President Donald Trump.
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019. A month later, he was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell. His death was officially ruled a suicide, a conclusion that has fuelled widespread conspiracy theories.
