Following the news that several high-profile Brits will face renewed investigation into their association with Jeffrey Epstein, questions have been raised over the possibility that some US officials could endure the same fate.
A number of American politicians, media executives, businessmen, tech gurus and health officials were featured in the latest release of federal files related to the crimes of the late sex offender.
The Department of Justice claimed the 3,000,000 documents, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos released on 30 January - an alarming number of which featured explicitly or briefly mentioned A-listers - formed the 'final' collection of Epstein files.
Police raided the home of Lord Peter Mandelson, formerly the UK ambassador to the US, in light of damning new revelations over his relationship with Epstein.
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Despite consistently denying any criminal wrongdoing, the Metropolitan Police are currently assessing claims that the politician leaked market-sensitive government information to the late paedophile between 2009 and 2010, and gave Epstein advance notice of a €500bn EU bailout.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is also facing fresh scrutiny following the release of a questionable image which shows him on all-fours over someone who appears to be a young woman.
Buckingham Palace officials said yesterday (10 February) that King Charles III is ready to support the police, as they assess new sexual abuse claims and investigate claims of suspected misconduct and breach of official secrets while Andrew was in public office.
Key political figures from across the pond are also facing new lines of interrogation after featuring in the latest federal release, including many former and currently-serving members of Trump's administration.
Donald Trump
The President himself is mentioned extensively in the Epstein files.
According to reports, his name, his Mar-a-Lago, Florida residence, and terms related to the ex-businessman appear thousands of times, including in social interactions and flight logs.
The 79-year-old also featured in a handful of photos contained within the files, several of which see him posing alongside Epstein, who took his own life in jail whilst awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.
By Trump's own admission, he and Epstein had previously been associates, but had fallen out in the early Noughties - long before the latter's heinous crimes against young women were exposed.
According to the BBC, many mentions of the right-wing leader - who'd previously backed the November passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act - appear to be unverified and without evidence.
The Justice Department also previously said: "Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.
"To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already."
Melania Trump
Whilst not an indication of criminal conduct, the current First Lady is also mentioned frequently in the Epstein files.
A 2002 email allegedly sent from Melania to Epstein's now-jailed associate Ghislaine Maxwell also hears the former express a desire to meet the latter after paying her a compliment.
The director of Melania's titular documentary film, Brett Ratner was also photographed embracing a young woman in images released. In another, he is seen sitting on a sofa beside Epstein and two women whose identities have been obscured.
Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump
The president's two eldest sons are also referenced briefly in the Epstein files.
In one instance, Epstein says he is in Palm Beach 'all the Trump boys' on Christmas Day 2016.
In another, Epstein is understood to have expressed a desire to meet with 'Don Jr' shortly before his 2019 suicide, via an email to real estate executive Andrew Farkas.
Steve Bannon
Former right-wing advisor to Trump, Steve Bannon also features several times in the Epstein files.
It is understood that Bannon exchanged hundreds of text messages with Epstein about politics and a proposed documentary following the latter's initial conviction, and prior to his death.
According to PBS, Bannon had told Epstein he hoped a documentary would help salvage his reputation.
In terms of politics, the two are understood to have gossiped about Trump and his policies frequently, including during a specific email exchange about the president's prior threat to oust Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
John Phelan
The current Secretary of the Navy is named in the latest file release as a passenger on one of Epstein's private jets, flying from JFK International Airport in New York to London Luton Airport in 2006.
Authorities have not accused Phelan of any wrongdoing.
Howard Lutnick
Since featuring in the files, Trump-appointed Commerce Secretary Lutnick has confessed to meeting with Epstein several times in the past, including on his private island following the latter's 2008 conviction against a minor.
Like Trump, Lutnick claims he cut ties with the disgraced financier in the mid-Noughties, but the files show that as late as 2012, he, his wife and their children accepted an invitation extended by Epstein to Little St James in the Virgin Islands.
Lutnick has confessed he did have lunch with Epstein in 2012 in Little St James, but claims it only lasted an hour.
Despite insisting he was never tied to the paedophile in a criminal capacity, Congress members have since scrutinised this admission and its timing.
Elon Musk
Trump's former Department of Government Efficiency co-lead, Elon Musk shows up several times in the Epstein files.
In one email sent between 2012 and 2013, the pair discussed the billionaire visiting Little St James with ex-wife Tallulah Riley.
"Will be in the BVI/St Bart's area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?" Musk asked, to which Epstein replied: "Any day 1st-8th. Play it by ear if you want. Always space for you... The 2 or 3 would be perfect. I will come and get you."
Writing to Epstein in December 2013, Musk asked: "Bad news - Unfortunately , my schedule will keep me in New York. I was really looking forward to finally spending some time together with just fun as the agenda. so i am very disappointed.
"Hopefully we can schedule another time in the near future."
At a later date, Epstein emailed Musk asking: "How many people will you be for the heli to island."
The latter replied: "Probably just Talulah [Riley] and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?"
He also asked: "Do you have any parties planned? I’ve been working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose. The invitation is much appreciated, but a peaceful island experience is the opposite of what I’m looking for."
Epstein wrote back: "Understood, I will see you on st Barth, the ratio on my island might make Talulah uncomfortable."
It currently remains unknown whether Musk ever visited the island - he insists he did not.
"Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED," he recently wrote online.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Jeffrey Epstein, Crime
Rhianna Benson