Celebs who have been spotted in newly released Epstein images
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
It's been three days since the House Oversight Committee (HOC) released a series of images from Jeffrey Epstein's estate, and onlookers are still shocked by the A-listers included.
Last month, Democrats from the government body ordered the release of thousands of federal documents related to the late sex offender's heinous crimes, which saw him arrested on sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Despite Epstein having taken his own life while awaiting trial, the Senate vote saw private emails, flight logs and further court documents made public for the first time - and last week, damning images were released.
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On Friday (12 December), 19 pictures were shared, many featuring high-profile politicians and well-known stars.
While it's vital to note that the images do not imply wrongdoing on the part of these celebrities, HOC spokesperson Rep. Robert Garcia told press last week: "These disturbing photos raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world."
He added: "We will not rest until the American people get the truth."
According to Garcia, the committee is looking at 'over 95,000 photos' received by Epstein's estate and more will be released to the public 'in the days and weeks ahead'.
Which celebrities are featured in the images?
Donald Trump
One of the most hotly debated photos released shows US President Donald Trump posing in the middle of a group of women whose faces have been redacted.
Another image also features a large bowl with a label which reads 'Trump condom $4.50', with each of the red packets saying, 'I’m HUUUUGE!'.
Trump, 79, was previously mentioned a staggering 1,500 times in Epstein documentation, mostly in news reports starting from his first presidential campaign.
Though the pair famously enjoyed a friendship for several years, Trump insists they fell out in the early 2000s, years before Epstein was first arrested for sex crimes.
The Republican leader has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
Steve Bannon
Also featured in several images is former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.
Again, though not linked to any illegal activity, photographs show the political strategist with Epstein in several settings.
One photo shows them chatting across a desk, while another is posed like a mirror selfie.
Bannon, a former White House chief strategist under Trump, has previously been shown in internal communications working with Epstein on strategic messaging and reputation efforts.
In recent years, Bannon has highlighted the need for transparency around Epstein-oriented documentation.
Bill Clinton
In emails previously released by the Committee, former President Bill Clinton is mentioned several times, alongside the likes of current Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr., and former Treasury Secretary and Harvard President, Larry Summers.
And among the numerous photos released last week is one featuring Clinton.
It shows him standing with Epstein and his now-jailed associate Ghislaine Maxwell alongside others. It even appears to bear the politician's signature.
Again, they don't demonstrate any illegal activity by Clinton.
Clinton’s team has previously maintained he had cut ties with Epstein long before the financier's 2019 arrest and denies knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Larry Summers
The House Oversight Committee previously revealed that some emails had been sent to and from Epstein by his associates, referencing ex-US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.
A number of messages also demonstrated that Epstein and Summers communicated regularly into the late 2010s, including the day before his 2019 arrest - something the Harvard University head previously claimed he's 'deeply ashamed' of.
He also took responsibility for the 'misguided decision' to keep up appearances with Epstein.
In one of the photos, the 71-year-old economist can be seen riding on one of Epstein's private jets, alongside director Woody Allen.
Richard Branson
One of the many images released last week also features Virgin founder, Sir Richard Branson, sitting on the beach with Epstein in the company of another unidentified man.
Branson is also listed as a passenger on Epstein's helicopter flight log.
His team have categorically denied any allegations of wrongdoing, however, nor any inappropriate involvement with Epstein.
Woody Allen
Filmmaker Woody Allen also makes appearances in several newly-released photos - four, exactly.
One shows the Hollywood veteran sitting in a director's chair with headphones around his shoulders, chatting with Epstein in an unknown location.
Another shows them sitting together at the table in the company of a blonde-haired female whose face has been blurred, while a third is the private jet photo alongside Summers (already mentioned).
A fourth snap not involving Epstein sees Allen chatting to Bannon, presumably inside one of the media mogul's residences.
The timings of the photos aren't clear.
It's worth mentioning, however, that Allen's association with Epstein dates back at least to around 2010, when he and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, attended dinner parties Epstein hosted and were photographed together.
In interviews this year, Allen described Epstein as 'charming and personable', but insisted he never saw the criminal with underage girls.
Bill Gates
Microsoft founder Bill Gates also features in several newly-released photos, including one in which he can be seen posing with the man previously known as Prince Andrew.
As a reminder, Andrew had his royal titles stripped last month in light of new allegations regarding his relationship with Epstein.
It came shortly after the posthumously-released memoir of Virginia Giuffre, Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, which included more accusations regarding Andrew.
In another photo, 70-year-old Gates is pictured beside an unidentified pilot near a small plane.
A third photo also shows the tech boss in a framed photo hanging on the wall in a living space.
Gates has since described the time he spent with Epstein as a 'huge mistake', insisting they bore no real friendship.
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Crime, US News, Donald Trump, Politics
Rhianna Benson