First Batch of Epstein Files Released Feature Photos of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson and Kevin Spacey, Among Other High Profile Names

Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Michael Jackson and other well-known celebrities and political figures appear in a newly released set of photos and documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, made public by the Department of Justice on Friday, Dec. 19.

The materials were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation requiring the agency to publish files related to Epstein’s trafficking investigation in a public, searchable format.

Several images in the release show Clinton in social settings with Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell. In one photo, Clinton is seen in a hot tub with Epstein and Maxwell, alongside a woman whose face is obscured by a large black redaction. Other images depict Clinton standing between Epstein and another man with his arms around them, and sitting on what appears to be a private jet near a woman whose face is also redacted. Another photo shows Clinton at a dinner with Maxwell, Epstein, and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger seated at the same table.

The release also includes a photo of Epstein posing with the late pop star Michael Jackson, who is wearing a black blazer with a white flower on the lapel and dark glasses. Another image shows Jackson posing with Clinton and Diana Ross.

Actor Chris Tucker appears in multiple photos as well, including one showing him embracing Maxwell on an airport tarmac. Spacey appears in a group photo that includes Maxwell, Clinton, and several other men. Magician David Copperfield is also shown in one image, embracing Maxwell while both wear bathrobes.

A representative for Clinton pointed to a statement posted on X by Clinton deputy chief of staff Angel Ureña. In the post, Ureña wrote: “The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton. This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever.”

The statement added: “They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be. Even Susie Wiles said Donald Trump was wrong about Bill Clinton.”

It continued: “There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We’re in the first. No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that.”

“Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats.”

The public release does not accuse the celebrities shown in the photos of criminal behavior, and the images were released without additional context.

On Friday afternoon, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the agency would not yet be able to release the Epstein files in full, citing the need for additional time to complete redactions across hundreds of thousands of pages.

“Today, the Department of Justice publicly released materials related to Jeffrey Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” Blanche wrote in a post on X. “Additional responsive materials will be produced as our review continues, consistent with the law and with protections for victims.”

Blanche later told Fox News his office expects to release “several hundred thousand more” documents “in the next couple weeks,” according to The Hill.

In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the heavy redactions, arguing they undermine the intent of the law. “Simply releasing a mountain of blacked out pages violates the spirit of transparency and the letter of the law,” he said in a statement provided to The New York Times. “For example, all 119 pages of one document were completely blacked out. We need answers as to why.”