Photographs and video from Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, never seen and long shrouded in secrecy, speculation, and survivor testimony have been made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, offering one of the starkest visual accounts yet of the environment where many of his alleged crimes unfolded.
The images, taken in 2020 after Epstein’s death, were shared as part of a push for transparency following President Donald Trump’s recent order requiring the release of all government files tied to Epstein. Committee Democrats said the visual evidence, which includes more than 200 photos and several videos, represents a “disturbing look” into Epstein’s world and a crucial step toward assembling a full public record of his activities.
Among the images are shots of multiple bedrooms, a room lined with masks depicting male faces, and a phone with handwritten names on speed dial—a detail critics argue hints at the network Epstein maintained. Other photos show a dental chair, a chalkboard scrawled with words like “truth,” “deception,” and “power,” and personal items ranging from toiletries to artwork. Some rooms appear partially emptied, with furniture stacked and paintings removed, reflecting the property’s state after his 2019 death.
Democratic committee leader Robert Garcia said the materials were obtained through a request to the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general, who previously reached a $105 million settlement alleging that “dozens of young women and children” were trafficked and abused across Epstein’s two island properties. Multiple survivors have testified that they were brought to Little St. James, where they endured coercion, exploitation, and violence.
The release comes amid mounting pressure on the Justice Department to comply with Trump’s directive to publish all files related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within a 30-day window ending 19 December. But legal and procedural hurdles remain: the DOJ can withhold materials tied to ongoing investigations or prosecutions, and officials may redact information to protect victim identities and personal privacy. Lawmakers are seeking clarification from Attorney General Pam Bondi on whether the deadline will be met.
Republicans on the Oversight Committee said they are reviewing the material and intend to publish the full trove soon, while accusing Democrats of selectively releasing images to shape public perception ahead of the full disclosure. They also note that similar photos surfaced earlier this year through a conservative activist.
The newly published images do not fundamentally alter the known narrative of Epstein’s crimes, but they deepen public understanding of the environment where his abuse occurred. As Congress demands full transparency and survivors continue seeking accountability, the release marks another step in unraveling the final, still-opaque chapter of one of the most prolific sex-trafficking cases in modern American history.
