
New Delhi, December 20, 2025: In a move that has reignited global interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) began releasing a massive trove of investigative records on Friday, December 19, 2025. The release, mandated by the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act, includes thousands of pages of documents and previously unseen photographs featuring high-profile figures, including pop icon Michael Jackson and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
The documents provide a rare glimpse into the sprawling social network of the late financier and convicted sex offender, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019.
The latest batch of files is notable for its heavy reliance on visual evidence. Among the most discussed items are:
Legal experts and officials have been quick to emphasize that the appearance of these celebrities in the files does not imply wrongdoing. The DOJ records reflect Epstein’s obsession with surrounding himself with the rich and famous to bolster his own social standing.
For Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger, the files currently suggest a “social overlap” rather than involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. Many figures in the documents have previously stated they were unaware of Epstein’s crimes at the time of their interactions.
Despite the release of hundreds of thousands of documents, the move has faced sharp criticism from lawmakers and victims’ advocates. The files are heavily redacted, with entire pages—including a 119-page New York grand jury file—completely blacked out.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the release “a fraction of the whole body of evidence,” accusing the administration of violating the spirit of the Transparency Act. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that the redactions are necessary to protect the identities of over 1,200 victims and to avoid compromising ongoing investigations.
The DOJ has stated that this is only the first phase of the disclosure. “Hundreds of thousands” more documents are expected to be published in the coming weeks. As the public and media continue to comb through the data, the focus remains on whether these files will finally reveal the full extent of Epstein’s trafficking network or if the most damaging secrets remain hidden behind black ink.