^{Photo: The Guardian}

Freshly unsealed documents from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, have reignited public scrutiny over his alleged connections to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Among more than 20,000 emails and files obtained by House Democrats, several messages include Epstein’s personal remarks about Trump, with one striking comment stating, “I know how dirty Donald is.”

These emails, spanning from 2011 to 2019, were released as part of an ongoing House Oversight Committee investigation into Epstein’s dealings and potential political ties. The committee said the newly revealed correspondence raises “serious questions” about Trump’s relationship with Epstein, although no evidence has emerged suggesting criminal conduct by the former president.

Inside Epstein’s Private Conversations

One of the most notable exchanges took place in August 2018, when Epstein responded to an email from Kathryn Ruemmler, a former White House counsel under President Barack Obama who is now the chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs. Ruemmler had sent Epstein a New York Times opinion piece discussing Trump’s potential impeachment after his lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal.

“I thought you’d find this interesting,” Ruemmler wrote.

Epstein replied, “You see, I know how dirty Donald is,” adding that “non-lawyers and New York businesspeople have no idea what it means when your fixer flips.”

This email exchange occurred amid escalating legal troubles for Trump’s inner circle and growing public curiosity about Epstein’s personal connections with powerful figures.

A Decade of Emails and Allegations

The files also include a 2019 email between Epstein and author Michael Wolff, in which Epstein wrote that Trump “knew about the girls.” The context of the statement remains unclear, though it has fueled speculation about what Epstein was referring to.

In a separate 2011 email to Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her role in procuring underage girls for Epstein, he wrote: “I want you to realize that the dog that hasn’t barked is Trump.” He added that a woman — later identified by House Democrats as one of Epstein’s victims — “spent hours at my house with Trump.”

The message concluded: “He has never once been mentioned.”

Maxwell has not publicly commented on these specific emails, and Trump has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.

Political and Legal Repercussions

House Democrats have emphasized that these emails should prompt the Department of Justice to release the full “Epstein files,” which include correspondence, flight logs, and unsealed legal materials from past investigations. Representative Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the communications raise “glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the true nature of the relationship between Epstein and the President.”

He added, “The Oversight Committee will continue pushing for transparency and will not stop until justice is delivered to the victims.”

Republicans and Trump’s team, however, have called the document release a politically motivated distraction. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The Democrats selectively leaked emails to create a false narrative and smear President Trump.”

Leavitt emphasized that one of the individuals mentioned in Epstein’s emails, identified as Virginia Giuffre, publicly stated that Trump “was not involved in any wrongdoing” and treated her “kindly” during their limited interactions.

Trump’s Response and Past Denials

Trump has long maintained that he severed ties with Epstein “decades ago,” claiming he banned him from Mar-a-Lago for inappropriate behavior toward female staff. In interviews, Trump said Epstein “stole people who worked for me” and ignored repeated warnings not to do so.

Following Epstein’s death in August 2019 — ruled a suicide while in federal custody on sex trafficking charges — questions about his political and social connections have persisted. Epstein’s extensive network once included politicians, business magnates, and celebrities across both U.S. political parties.

Despite Trump’s denial of wrongdoing, pressure continues to mount for full transparency regarding Epstein’s files. Critics argue that only a comprehensive release of all correspondence, travel records, and financial transactions can clarify the true extent of Epstein’s influence and associations.

The Larger Context

Epstein’s communications with high-profile individuals paint a troubling picture of how wealth and access shielded him from scrutiny for decades. His ability to maintain contact with influential figures, even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor, reflects the deep social and political entanglements surrounding his life.

As House investigators continue reviewing the thousands of emails and records seized from his estate, Epstein’s legacy remains one of corruption, privilege, and unanswered questions. Whether the latest revelations will alter public perception of Trump or reignite further legal inquiries remains to be seen — but what is certain is that the Epstein case continues to cast a long shadow over American politics.