The latest tranche of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case, released by the US Department of Justice, includes a photograph showing former US President Bill Clinton in a swimming pool alongside convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
Details of the Released Images
The undated, redacted photo, published on a dedicated "Epstein Library" web page, depicts Mr Clinton and Maxwell in a pool with a third individual, whose identity is obscured by a black rectangle. A separate image also shows Mr Clinton with Jeffrey Epstein himself. It is crucial to note that the documents contain no allegations or evidence of wrongdoing by the former president.
The files began to emerge late on Friday, 19 December 2025, causing significant public interest that temporarily overwhelmed the Department of Justice website with queue systems and error messages. A privacy notice on the site acknowledged the vast volume of material and the potential for inadvertently released sensitive content.
Clinton's Relationship and the Political Backlash
Mr Clinton developed a social and philanthropic connection with Epstein after leaving the White House. This included multiple trips on Epstein's private jet; flight logs suggest around 26-27 flights between 2002 and 2003, though Mr Clinton's office has characterised these as four trips related to Clinton Foundation work. The former president has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, stating he severed contact around 2005 and never visited Epstein's private island.
The focus on Mr Clinton in the release prompted a sharp response from his camp. His chief of staff, Angel Ureña, issued a statement accusing the White House of a politically motivated diversion. "The White House hasn't been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton," Ureña stated on X. He emphasised that Clinton was in the "first group" of people who "knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light."
A Broader Political Context
This rebuttal references comments from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who reportedly said there was "no evidence" Clinton frequently visited Epstein's island. The exchange underscores the highly charged political atmosphere surrounding the document dump. Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times, Peter Baker, suggested on X that the move was an attempt by former President Donald Trump to divert attention from his own documented links to Epstein.
While the unsealed papers frequently mention Bill Clinton as an associate of Epstein, sources across multiple news outlets confirm they contain no credible implication of the former president in Epstein's sex trafficking ring. The release, tied to a Congressional deadline, continues to fuel debate over the relationships between powerful figures and the disgraced financier.
