The Epstein Files Are A Who's Who Of Power: What Three Million Pages Tell Us So Far

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 10:34 IST

The release uncovers Epstein’s extensive list of contacts, the tone of his communications with them, & claims he documented about some of the world’s most prominent personalities.

A view of drawers and framed photos, including of Donald Trump, in Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan home is seen in this image released by the Department of Justice. (REUTERS)

Jeffrey Epstein, who died in his Manhattan prison cell in August 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking, left behind an archive that has been made public in unprecedented volume. The files include more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, as well as years of email exchanges.

The revelations range from financial links to personal conversations, all of which remain subject to individual interpretation but do not, in themselves, establish guilt.

Here are the key findings from the Epstein files so far.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Interview Footage

Among the newly released files is footage of a sit-down interview in which Epstein is questioned about the origins of his wealth. The interviewer, who does not appear on camera but is believed to be Steve Bannon, US President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, presses him on whether his money is “dirty money". Epstein rejects the characterisation, replying: “Because I earned it."

When confronted with the suggestion that his earnings came from “advising the worst people in the world that do enormous bad things", he responds that “ethics is always a complicated subject".

During the exchange, Epstein claimed he donated money to help try to eradicate polio in India and Pakistan, before engaging in a sequence of remarks included verbatim in the files:

Epstein: “I think if you told them the devil himself said ‘I’m going to exchange some dollars for your child’s life’…"

Interviewer: “Do you think you’re the devil himself?"

Epstein: “No, but I do have a good mirror."

Interviewer: “It’s a serious question. Do you think you’re the devil himself?"

Epstein: “I don’t know. Why would you say that?"

Interviewer: “Because you have all the attributes -"

Epstein: “No, the devil scares me."

There is no information in the documents about when or why the footage was recorded.

Peter Mandelson

The files contain multiple references to Lord Peter Mandelson, the former British cabinet minister and former ambassador to the United States. Three bank statements appear to record $75,000 in payments from Epstein between 2003 and 2004, structured as three instalments of $25,000.

Two payments were apparently directed to accounts naming Mandelson; the third to an account held by his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, with Mandelson listed as beneficiary. Mandelson has said he has “no record and recollection of ever receiving these sums", but nevertheless resigned from the Labour Party to avoid further “embarrassment", writing to party general secretary Hollie Ridley to deny the payments and announcing he would conduct his own investigation.

Another element of the release includes photographs showing Mandelson in his underwear while speaking to a woman wearing a bathrobe. The images lack context, dates or information on their origin.

His spokesperson said: “No one can say who or where the photo was taken. Lord Mandelson has absolutely no idea or indeed whether it has any connection to Epstein at all."

Separate emails show Lord Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, seeking financial help. In September 2009, he wrote to Epstein about “my osteo course expenses, incl fee, anatomical models, lap top if you can help me with this", noting an annual fee of £3,225 and thanking him “for anything you can help me with".

Epstein replied: “I will wire your loan amount immediated’y. (sic)". A later message from Avila da Silva asked “regarding the £10,000" and whether the course fee would be paid directly. Epstein replied: “includedd. (sic)". Avila da Silva later confirmed receipt: “Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning."

Reflecting on his past association with Epstein, Mandelson said: “I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered." He called his friendship with Epstein a “most terrible mistake".

Bill Gates

A 2011 email included in the files shows Epstein telling Mandelson that he “spent the day with Gates" in Seattle “having monstrous fun". A spokesperson for Bill Gates rejected the implication, saying: “These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame."

The files also contain a 2013 memo Epstein wrote to himself, in which he makes a series of allegations about Gates, including claims that he contracted a sexually transmitted infection after being with what Epstein described as “Russian girls". In the same note, Epstein alleges that Gates sought antibiotics he could secretly give to his then-wife, Melinda Gates.

The memo includes the verbatim line: “To add insult to the injury you them [sic] implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

The files include a new allegation from a second woman who claims she had a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 2010 after being sent to the UK by Epstein. According to her lawyer, the encounter allegedly occurred at Royal Lodge, and she was subsequently taken on a tour of Buckingham Palace and served tea.

Buckingham Palace keeps records of tour guests but cannot corroborate details without violating her anonymity. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing based solely on the existence of these allegations, and Andrew has renewed his “vigorous" denials.

Three photos in the release appear to show Andrew on all fours over a woman lying on the floor. In two images he seems to touch her stomach; in the third he looks at the camera. The documents provide no explanation about the pictures.

A 2010 email chain also shows Epstein requesting “private time" with Andrew, prompting the reply: “alternatively we should have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy". This exchange appears to relate to a planned September 2010 meeting. Andrew reiterated in an October 2025 statement that he denies all accusations.

Another exchange from August 2010 includes Epstein writing: “I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with", noting the woman was 26, Russian, “beautiful, trustworthy and yes she has your email". Andrew has again maintained his denials.

Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump appears in internal emails written by federal investigators in August 2025, examining accusations involving him. The files indicate that investigators found no substantiation for these claims and assessed several accusers as not credible. Trump has repeatedly denied misconduct.

Addressing the latest release aboard Air Force One, he said: “I didn’t see it myself but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left."

Elon Musk

Elon Musk, head of Tesla and SpaceX, is referenced in 2013 messages discussing a potential visit to Epstein’s island in the Caribbean. Musk wrote that he would be in the British Virgin Islands and St Barts “over the holidays", asking: “is there a good time to visit?" Epstein replied that there was “always space for you". The email trail shows back-and-forth discussion but does not confirm that a visit occurred.

After the release, Musk wrote on X: “No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released and I’m glad that has finally happened. I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his ‘Lolita Express’, but was well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name. I don’t care about that, but what I do care about is that we at least attempt to prosecute those who committed serious crimes with Epstein, especially regarding heinous exploitation of underage girls."

Richard Branson

Emails in the files show multiple interactions between British billionaire Richard Branson and Epstein across 2013, including plans for the disgraced financier to visit Branson’s private island, Necker. The initial correspondence from April that year involves Epstein’s assistant asking whether he could bring an associate of Bill Gates, Boris Nikolic, on the trip. A later message expands the proposed entourage to include additional guests described as “the 2 Russian girls".

Separate exchanges from September 2013 reveal a more personal tone. After meeting Branson the previous day, Epstein wrote to him again, prompting a reply in which Branson said it had been “really nice seeing you" and added that Epstein would be welcome to visit again “as long as you bring your harem!" Branson’s team has since said he would never have used such language had he known the full truth about Epstein, and that he was merely echoing a phrase Epstein himself had been using to describe the women he travelled with.

The same email thread shows Epstein seeking Branson’s advice on a public relations issue. Branson responded at length, suggesting that one approach might involve Gates acknowledging publicly that Epstein had once been an adviser to him, that Epstein had “slipped up many years ago by sleeping with a 17 1/2 year old woman" and had been punished for it, and that he had since lived within the law.

Branson added that Epstein’s interest in women, as a single man, was not inherently problematic, before concluding that “something along those lines" might help address the matter. His team now stresses that this advice was offered without knowledge of the true nature or extent of Epstein’s offending.

Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York and ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, appears in several email threads. In February 2011, she contacted Epstein regarding the timing of a “wire" to Columbia University, writing: “I am embarrassed and sorry to ask you, as it is such a favour. What shall we do?" Epstein replied: “I need to speak to Andrew – don’t worry". Ferguson wrote back that Andrew was at Royal Lodge in Windsor. The files do not explain what the wire concerned.

Another exchange from October 2009 shows Epstein receiving forwarded details about a settlement for Ferguson’s company Hartmoor, which collapsed with over $1 million in debts. Her office sent the settlement information to David Stern, a US lawyer and businessman, who then forwarded it to Epstein. The files do not clarify the purpose of the communication or why it reached Epstein.

Several emails reveal that Ferguson had once expressed deep appreciation for Epstein. In an August 2009 message, she wrote: “the brother I have always wished for". In another note, she addressed him as “my dear spectacular and special friend", adding “you are a legend, and I am so proud of you."

She later told the Evening Standard in 2011 that accepting £15,000 from Epstein had been a “gigantic error of judgment" and stated: “I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children."

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