House Democrats Release Epstein Emails Referencing Trump; Congressional Petition Nears Vote Threshold

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released private emails Wednesday showing Jeffrey Epstein mentioned Donald Trump multiple times over a 15-year period.

The emails, sent from Epstein to his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff, include references to Trump spending significant time with a woman the House committee identifies as one of Epstein's sex trafficking victims. Trump did not send or receive any of the messages and is not accused of wrongdoing in connection with the emails.

The released messages are part of approximately 23,000 documents obtained from Epstein's estate. The disclosure comes amid mounting congressional pressure to reveal additional Epstein-related materials.

Congressional Petition Reaches Key Threshold

A separate congressional effort to release broader Epstein files is expected to reach a critical milestone on Wednesday. Incoming Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva will provide the 218th signature on a discharge petition following her afternoon swearing-in, giving the measure enough support to force a House vote.

The petition seeks to compel the release of Epstein files that the White House has opposed disclosing for months. President Trump has publicly criticized the effort.

It would require passage in the Republican-led Senate and the president's signature. However, the vote would establish lawmakers' positions on the issue, requiring Republicans to choose between supporting the president or backing the release of documents related to the convicted sex offender's crimes.