Trump Implicated in Epstein's Death by Brother in FBI Tip, Released Documents Reveal
In a stunning development, newly released Department of Justice documents contain an explosive email sent to the FBI in which Jeffrey Epstein's brother directly accused former President Donald Trump of involvement in the financier's death. The revelation comes from the massive trove of Epstein-related files made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Brother's Allegation Sent to FBI Threat Center
Mark Epstein, the real estate developer brother of the convicted sex offender, submitted an online tip to the FBI's National Threat Operations Center on February 22, 2023. In his submission, he alleged that Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in his prison cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in 2019, contradicting the official suicide ruling. The Independent confirmed through a Saturday phone call with Mark Epstein that he indeed sent the tip, which contained two spelling errors in its accusatory text.
The tip explicitly stated: "Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in his jail cell. I have reason to believe he was killed because he was about to name names. I believe Presient (sic) Trump authorized is (sic) murder."
No Follow-Up from Law Enforcement
Mark Epstein told The Independent that neither the FBI nor any other law enforcement agency contacted him to investigate his serious claim further. He declined to provide additional comments beyond confirming his submission. The released document shows his tip was forwarded by an unidentified Threat Intake Examiner at the FBI NTOC to a special agent, though his personal contact information and IP address remain redacted in the public file.
In the report's additional information section, Mark Epstein wrote "feel free to contact me," noting that his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein was "obvious." Despite this invitation for dialogue, he maintains no official inquiry followed his allegation.
White House and DOJ Response
A White House spokesperson directed The Independent to a January 3 Department of Justice press release addressing the document release. The statement cautions that the production "may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos, as everything that was sent to the FBI by the public was included."
The DOJ release specifically mentions: "Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already."
Mark Epstein's Persistent Claims
This is not the first time Mark Epstein has publicly challenged the official narrative surrounding his brother's death. Last month, he told NewsNation: "Jeffrey was murdered, and more autopsy facts will be coming out in February that prove it." He elaborated that there are only three ways to die in prison—suicide, natural causes, or murder—and he firmly believes his brother's death falls into the third category.
In 2025, he told both BBC Newsnight and NewsNation that his brother possessed compromising information about powerful figures, suggesting that during the 2016 election, Jeffrey Epstein claimed revealing what he knew about candidates could have cancelled the election entirely. While Jeffrey never shared specific details directly, Mark Epstein said he was certain his brother had "dirt" on Trump as well.
Trump's Changing Statements on Epstein
The relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein has been subject to scrutiny for years. In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump called Epstein a "terrific guy" and noted they shared an appreciation for beautiful women. However, in 2019 following Epstein's arrest, Trump told reporters: "I had a falling-out with him a long time ago. I haven't spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his; that I can tell you."
Mark Epstein has publicly challenged Trump's statements, telling NewsNation in November: "You could see in the emails; Trump could deny it all he wants, but it's pretty clear everything Trump says is a lie." The newly released FBI tip represents the most formal and direct accusation yet connecting Trump to Epstein's controversial death, though its veracity remains officially disputed by authorities.
