Donald Trump and Epstein – Foto: Reprodução/Netflix
The disclosure of Jeffrey Epstein’s emails by the US Congress, this Wednesday (12), reignited questions about President Donald Trump’s relationship with the billionaire accused of sexual exploitation. In messages, Epstein claimed that Trump “knew about the girls”, referring to minor victims of abuse, and that the president spent “hours” with one of them in his home. Trump denies any involvement in the criminal scheme and accuses Democrats of political manipulation. The White House classified the documents as a “selective leak” to harm the president.
The emails, analyzed by Congressional Democrats, are part of a set of documents from the Epstein case, who died in 2019 in prison. The billionaire was known for his network of influential figures, including politicians and celebrities.
- New messages intensify pressure for transparency in the case.
- Trump promised to release a “list” of Epstein’s clients during the campaign.
- White House questions authenticity of revealed documents.
Email details
Epstein’s emails, dated 2011, were sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, his former assistant convicted of facilitating sexual crimes. In one message, Epstein wrote that Trump “didn’t bark,” suggesting the president did not reveal compromising information. Another message mentions that a victim spent hours with Trump at Epstein’s home, without being publicly mentioned.
Controversial letter
In July, Democrats released an alleged letter from Trump to Epstein, containing a drawing of a naked woman and the signature “Donald.” The message, with an enigmatic tone, ended with wishes for “wonderful secrets”. Trump denied authorship, saying he never designed or wrote the letter. The White House reinforced that the signature does not match the one used by the president. Old documents, however, show Trump’s signatures similar to the letter. The case led to a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, which published the text. Trump’s legal team seeks $10 billion in damages.
White House Response
Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt classified the letter as “false” and criticized the release of the emails. According to her, Democrats seek to divert attention from priority issues. Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich questioned the authenticity of the documents and promised legal action against those responsible. Trump, in statements, reiterated that he severed ties with Epstein years before his arrest.
Epstein case history
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019 for operating a sexual exploitation ring involving more than 250 minors. He died a month later, in circumstances that generated controversy. The case gained prominence because it involved high-profile public figures. Invsubsequent investigations revealed the extent of his network of contacts and crimes. Pressure for full disclosure of documents persists in the US.
Public repercussion
The release of the emails generated intense debates on networks and in the American press. While Trump supporters defend his innocence, critics demand deeper investigations.
Next steps
Trump’s legal team is expected to intensify its case against The Wall Street Journal. Democrats plan new congressional hearings to discuss the documents. The Justice Department has not yet confirmed whether it will release more case files.
