DOJ Releases Previously Withheld Epstein Files with Unsubstantiated Allegations Against Trump

The files include FBI interview reports from 2019 about a woman's uncorroborated claims of abuse by Trump in the 1980s.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice has released three previously withheld FBI interview reports from 2019 related to a woman who made uncorroborated allegations that she was abused by former President Donald Trump in the 1980s, when she was a minor. The DOJ initially withheld the reports, believing them to be duplicative, but later determined they were incorrectly coded. The reports detail the woman's claims that Epstein took her to meet Trump, who then abused her, though the timing of the alleged incident does not align with Trump and Epstein's known contacts.

Why it matters

The release of these files has reignited political tensions, with Congressional Democrats accusing the DOJ of illegally withholding the documents to protect the former president. The allegations, if true, would be highly damaging to Trump, but the lack of corroborating evidence has led the DOJ to state that the claims are "unfounded and false."

The details

According to the FBI reports, the woman claimed that Epstein took her to either New York or New Jersey in the early-to-mid 1980s, when she was between 13 and 15 years old, and introduced her to Trump, who then abused her. However, the timing of the alleged incident does not align with the known timeline of Trump and Epstein's relationship. The woman declined to provide additional details about the alleged interaction with Trump when asked by agents in a later interview.

  • The FBI interviewed the woman four times between July and October 2019.
  • The alleged incident with Trump is said to have occurred in the early-to-mid 1980s.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has been accused of abuse by the woman in the FBI reports, though the claims are unsubstantiated.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier and convicted sex offender, who the woman claims took her to meet Trump and introduced them.

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What’s next

The Department of Justice has stated that it will continue to review the Epstein-related documents and release any additional files that were incorrectly coded as duplicative.

The takeaway

The release of these previously withheld FBI reports has reignited political tensions and raised questions about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein investigation files. While the allegations against Trump are serious, the lack of corroborating evidence and the DOJ's assertion that the claims are "unfounded and false" suggest caution is warranted in drawing conclusions.