At precisely 17:02:16 on December 20, 2025, a new wave of revelations emerged, drawing attention from numerous social channels such as Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, X, and Bluesky. These updates, symbolized by a lightning bolt icon that signifies both power and sudden illumination, indicated the release of a significant news story available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Those with an account were encouraged to log in and explore the content immediately, while non-subscribers were invited to become members to access the unfolding report.
According to the publication, the U.S. Department of Justice disclosed an extensive collection of files associated with its far-reaching investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The release, which consisted of thousands of documents—many of them heavily redacted—offered new glimpses into Epstein’s social circles and private life. These newly unveiled images and materials, though striking, were explicitly noted by authorities as not constituting evidence of criminal behavior. Rather, they serve as contextual fragments, providing a partial window into the web of associations surrounding Epstein, whose life and actions have continued to reverberate across international discussions of justice, privilege, and accountability.
Epstein’s criminal record traces back to 2008, when he entered a guilty plea to charges of soliciting prostitution, including the solicitation of a minor under the age of 18. Nearly a decade later, in 2017, he was once again charged—this time with sex trafficking of minors—an escalation that brought renewed attention to the scale and severity of his alleged crimes. In 2019, his life came to a controversial end when he was found dead by suicide while held in federal custody, an event that triggered widespread speculation, judicial scrutiny, and public outrage.
Among the materials disclosed were photographs depicting Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell, who played a central role in his social and professional life, was convicted in 2021 on multiple felony charges, including the trafficking of a minor for sexual exploitation. The files further revealed images of numerous high-profile individuals, among them former U.S. President Bill Clinton, billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, acclaimed actor Kevin Spacey, and legendary musician Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. Although these photos illustrate Epstein’s reach among prominent circles of influence, the documents emphasized that the images themselves neither prove any misconduct nor explain the nature of Epstein’s relationships with the figures shown. In several cases, the individuals were not pictured alongside Epstein at all, underscoring the ambiguous and fragmentary nature of the evidence.
The Department of Justice summarized the release as a partial, non-exhaustive disclosure likely to be followed by further updates. Early highlights from the trove included the following prominent individuals:
**Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States** – The documentation included references and photographs linking the former president to Epstein, including entries in the financier’s private jet flight logs. Following his departure from office in 2001, Clinton reportedly traveled with Epstein on several occasions, primarily for charitable or international events. Crucially, no public allegations of criminal conduct against Clinton have ever been substantiated in connection with Epstein’s activities. When contacted by Business Insider, Clinton’s spokesperson did not respond. However, Angel Ureña, speaking on behalf of the former president, released a public statement clarifying Clinton’s position. He emphasized that Clinton was unaware of Epstein’s illicit behavior and belonged to the group of individuals who severed ties with Epstein once his criminal record became evident, distinguishing them from those who maintained contact even after his crimes were exposed.
**Mick Jagger, Lead Singer of The Rolling Stones** – Another image revealed the musician seated between Epstein and former President Clinton. However, the Justice Department did not provide information concerning the photo’s date, location, or circumstances. A legal representative for Jagger declined to issue a comment, and thus the photo remains a visual curiosity without verified context.
**Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group** – The files also included images depicting Branson alongside Epstein. Neither Branson nor his spokesperson responded to requests for comment. Notably, similar photos surfaced earlier in the month through the House Oversight Committee, suggesting that multiple government bodies had begun examining overlapping materials showing the businessman’s casual acquaintance with Epstein.
**Kevin Spacey, Actor** – The release featured a photograph in which Spacey appeared with both Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell and former President Clinton. The Department of Justice refrained from offering commentary on the nature or date of the gathering. Requests for statements from Spacey’s representatives similarly went unanswered, leaving the photograph’s context undefined.
**Michael Jackson, Singer and Cultural Icon** – Among the trove were images capturing Epstein in conversation with the pop superstar. The photo lacked further documentation detailing when or where it was taken, and representatives of Jackson’s estate provided no response to inquiries from Business Insider. While the image naturally invites public curiosity, officials reiterated that mere photographic association does not constitute evidence of engagement in or awareness of any criminal acts.
**Chris Tucker, Actor and Comedian** – Epstein and Maxwell appeared in another photograph with Tucker, adding to the gallery of Epstein’s interactions with public figures from the entertainment industry. As with others, Tucker’s spokesperson did not provide any comment, and the Justice Department offered no explanatory details.
**Jean-Luc Brunel, International Modeling Agent** – The files also included visual documentation of Brunel together with Maxwell. Brunel, a French modeling executive, founded the influential Karin Models agency in 1977 and later co-founded MC2 Model Management with Epstein’s financial backing. In 2022, while awaiting trial in France for charges that included rape of a minor and trafficking of individuals for sexual exploitation, Brunel was discovered deceased in his prison cell, apparently by suicide. Representatives for Brunel’s estate declined requests for official statements.
**Sarah Ferguson, Former Duchess of York** – The release contained references and imagery depicting the former Duchess, who has previously faced scrutiny over her connection to Epstein, particularly given the broader controversy surrounding her former husband, Prince Andrew. Earlier in the year, Prince Andrew formally relinquished his royal titles amid intensifying public examination of his friendship with Epstein, a move widely perceived as a necessary measure to preserve the reputation of the British monarchy. Efforts to obtain commentary from Ferguson’s representative received no reply.
Collectively, these materials represent one of the most detailed official disclosures to date concerning the network of social and professional relationships entwined with Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department underscored that the release remains ongoing, with more documents expected to emerge in the future, offering researchers, journalists, and the general public new insights into the complex intersections of wealth, power, and accountability that defined Epstein’s world.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/epstein-files-celebrities-photos-2025-12
