USA Senate passes bill to release Epstein files to Trump
Following the approval of the US House of Representatives for the publication of the investigation files in the case of the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Senate has forwarded the bill to the White House. US President Donald Trump's signature is now required for the documents to actually be disclosed.
19.11.2025, 17:08
SDA
On Monday, he promised that he would sign the bill when it reaches his desk. It is unclear when this will happen. Trump had long spoken out against this step, but then changed his mind at the weekend when it became clear what the outcome would be in the US parliament.
Speculation about the involvement of influential circles
The influential US multimillionaire Epstein had run an abuse ring for many years, to which dozens of young women and minors fell victim. He himself also abused his victims. After his conviction as a criminal, the case was reopened years later and Epstein was arrested again. Before a further verdict could be reached, the financier from New York died in his prison cell in 2019 at the age of 66. The autopsy report listed suicide as the cause of death.
Epstein's sudden death and his many contacts in the world of the rich and powerful triggered speculation about the possible involvement of influential circles. Before his arrest, celebrities and billionaires were virtually in and out of his home. Trump also spent time with Epstein, as evidenced by several party videos. The revelations about the abuse scandal also brought the British Prince Andrew into disrepute, who maintained close contact with Epstein and recently had to relinquish his aristocratic titles.
These files are to be published
The case holds enormous political explosive power in the USA. Before his election victory in November 2024, Trump promised to fully disclose the Epstein files. However, because this promise has not been kept since he took office in January, the president has come under increasing pressure - including from within his own party. Democrats recently published email excerpts from Epstein's estate in which Trump's name appears. This triggered new speculation about whether and how much the Republican knew about Epstein's crimes.
If Trump signs the law, the extensive files are to be published within 30 days. These are documents from the Department of Justice, the public prosecutor's office and the FBI, which document the investigations against Epstein and also contain information about his imprisonment. Documents relating to his former confidante and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell are also to be published. Maxwell was convicted in the course of the scandal and is in prison.
Flight logs from Epstein's private jet, including passenger lists, are also to be released - in other words, information on people who had dealings with him. And documents on companies, charitable organizations and government agencies that may have had links to Epstein.
Critics doubt, however, that the publication of the investigation files will completely clear up the Epstein scandal. This is because the legal text grants Trump's Department of Justice special rights. For example, information may be withheld or redacted, "such as personal information of victims and materials that would jeopardize an ongoing federal investigation". Content that jeopardizes national security and is classified as secret also does not have to be published.
