The long awaited release of the Epstein files could well be “very damaging” for Donald Trump, a senior journalist has predicted.
The US Department of Justice has a deadline of Friday to release the files on the notorious pedophile financier and friend of many of the world’s most influential people.
Yesterday, 68 photos were pre-emptively released by Democrats in Congress, which they said "provide insights into Epstein's network and his extremely disturbing activities".
“This latest batch includes a screenshot of a text conversation with someone saying, ‘I will send you girls now’. photos of a girl with quotations from the novel Lolita written on her body,” Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith told Newstalk Breakfast.
“The Democrats say they're doing this in the interest of transparency.
“As soon as they get this material, they think it's important to put it out in the public.
“And of course, it may also be adding pressure on the Trump administration to release the actual files.”
NEW: Oversight Dems are releasing additional photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate to the public.
We will continue releasing photographs and documents to provide transparency for the American people. It’s time for the Department of Justice to release the files. pic.twitter.com/ZGAvxVLCUq
— Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) December 18, 2025
The photos, which include images of Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, Woody Allen and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, are the latest in the steady drip of information.
“There's certainly some who… thought they'd seen everything and become immune to it,” Mr Smith said.
“But actually, it still has the potential to shock and appal them - particularly these Lolita references.
“And certainly it shines a spotlight on some of these celebrities who were associated with Jeffrey Epstein.
“But it feels just like a preamble, really, before the actual release of the files themselves expected on Friday.”
United States Representative Jared Moskowitz holds a photo board featuring a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump. Picture by: Rod Lamkey/CNP/Sipa USA.Given Epstein’s extensive network of associates in politics, the arts and business, Mr Smith added that there will be many in Washington who will be distinctively nervous about the release of the files.
Not least, President Trump, who knew Epstein socially for many years before he entered politics.
“There might be something very damaging for Donald Trump, which would explain why he's resisted the release of the files for so long, or there might not,” Mr Smith said.
“And of course, yeah, other political figures, such as former President Bill Clinton and others.
“But right now we're in a kind of holding pattern and we'll have to wait and see.”
Main image: Trump and Epstein. Picture by: Twitter Oversight Dems.
