Celebs who’ve been named in Epstein files - and what it actually means
A plethora of A-list stars have been named as part of federal documentation related to the heinous crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.
On 12 November, the US House Oversight Committee released 20,000 pages of documents relating to Epstein and his crimes.
More will follow, after a Senate vote on 18 November compelled the US Justice Department to release further files on their investigation into Epstein - and they have until 19 December to do so.
Not only does this include information about Epstein's prison suicide, but private emails, flight logs and court documents. According to the Justice Department, evidence yet to be made public includes 40 computers, 26 storage drives, 70 CDs, and six recording devices - around 300 gigabytes in total.
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A further 60 pieces of physical evidence are also said to document who visited the late media mogul's private island - where he is understood to have trafficked a number of underage girls.
A number of these individuals named in Epstein documents already made public are huge-name stars - from members of the Royal Family, to pop stars, footballers to politicians.
Over 30 people are mentioned in the latest release, a number hailing from the UK.
Who has been mentioned in the 'Epstein files'?
Royals and politicians:
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) is the most commonly named individual in the legal files, having been mentioned 173 times. He has ceaselessly denied allegations of abuse, despite Virginia Giuffre claiming the royal had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17. He recently had his royal titles stripped in light of his association with Epstein.
- Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife, is also referenced nine times in administrative or correspondence contexts. She recently had her 'Duchess of York' title removed following the emergence of an email, in which she referred to Epstein as a 'dear friend'.
- Queen Camilla is mentioned nine times in the files, though authorities do not believe these mentions indicate a personal connection to Epstein.
- Princess Diana's name appears 14 times in the documents. Although, like The Queen, it's not believed that these mentions indicate any personal connection to the abuser.
- Nigel Farage, the right-wing British politician and head of the Reform party, is mentioned 18 times, as Epstein and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon discussed him in emails. These references fail to demonstrate a personal friendship with Epstein, however.
- A number of former Prime Ministers of the UK are also referenced in the documents, including Tony Blair 22 times, his successor Gordon Brown, 16 times, and his successor David Cameron, 19 times. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing, with the trio discussed in wider contexts without evidence of a personal connection to Epstein.
- Former UK-based political advisor Peter Mandelson, who lost his job as the UK's ambassador to the US over his friendship with Epstein, is also named.
- Former US President Bill Clinton is also mentioned several times, alongside the likes of current Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr., and former Treasury Secretary & Harvard President, Larry Summers.
- Donald Trump - the US president is mentioned a whopping 1,500 times in the files, mostly in news reports starting from Trump's first presidential campaign. The pair enjoyed a friendship for several years, but Trump claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested. The Republican has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. The new emails reveal nothing substantial about Trump and Epstein's relationship.
- Trump's ex-wife Marla Maples, and their daughter Tiffany Trump are also mentioned in flight logs.
Art and entertainment:
- Despite authorities not believing that he knew Epstein, Sir Elton John is referenced in the filings eight times, including in articles Epstein either sent people or received in his communications. There is no suggestion of a personal relationship.
- Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is mentioned nine times, though there's no indication he knew Epstein.
- Michael Jackson is named in Epstein’s book, along with fellow singer Courtney Love, and British musician Adele. Adele's name is mentioned eight times, including in emails sent between Epstein and a publicist, but there is no suggestion she knew Epstein.
- British actor Colin Firth is referenced 10 times, including in a press article emailed to Epstein. Though, there's nothing to suggest the two ever met or communicated.
- American actor and comedian Chris Tucker is also mentioned.
Who else?
- Epstein's partner Ghislaine Maxwell - who is currently serving time for sex trafficking - is mentioned 135 times in the files. Her media mogul father Robert Maxwell has also been named, with his name appearing 47 times.
- Late scientist Steven Hawking's name is mentioned 17 times, alongside philosopher and The God Delusion author Richard Dawkins, who is mentioned 29 times. There's no evidence either of them were friend with Epstein.
- Footballer David Beckham is referenced on nine occasions, including during a conversation between Epstein and Boris Nikolic from 2014, in which the latter discusses admired athletes. It is not believed, however, that Beckham knew or communicated with Epstein.
- As well as having been photographed at the same parties as Epstein in the past, British model Naomi Campbell is mentioned 10 times in the files. She has consistently denied knowledge of his criminal activities, however.
- Broadcaster and presenter Piers Morgan's name is mentioned on 10 occasions, though this is without implication of friendship or misconduct.
- Celebrity hair stylist Frédéric Fekkai is listed on flight logs and in Epstein's book, alongside his son, Alexandra.
What does this mean?
Just because a star has been listed in the damning documents, doesn't mean they're involved with Epstein's crimes in any capacity.
Anyone accused of having committed a crime, or those tangentially connected to Epstein - like Maxwell - have already been pulled into lawsuits.
Epstein was found dead by suicide in his New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 as he awaited his trial on sex trafficking charges without the chance of bail.
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Crime, US News, Celebrity, Politics, Royal Family
Rhianna Benson