The release of long-awaited documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has sparked a new controversy in the United States, after reports emerged that a number of images were quietly removed from public access shortly after publication.
According to reports by The New York Times, NPR and Associated Press, approximately 16 photographs that were initially accessible on the U.S. Department of Justice’s document portal known as the “Epstein Library” can no longer be viewed. Among the allegedly removed materials are images showing a photograph of Donald Trump displayed on a table, as well as a large-format photo of a $22,500 check reportedly signed by Trump.
The reports also state that several of the images taken offline included sexually explicit artworks and other sensitive visual materials linked to the Epstein investigation. The sudden disappearance of the files has fueled allegations of censorship and selective disclosure, particularly given the high-profile names referenced in the broader document release.
No official explanation has yet been provided by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the removal of the images.
“Every effort was made to protect privacy”
A disclaimer published on the Epstein Library website emphasized the importance of personal privacy, stating that all reasonable efforts were made to review, redact and prevent the disclosure of sensitive information related to victims and private individuals, in line with congressional deadlines.
The statement also acknowledged that, due to the vast volume of material released, some personally identifiable or inappropriate content may still appear, urging the public to report any issues so corrections could be made promptly.
Epstein documents opened to the public
The controversy follows last month’s decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to sign legislation allowing public access to thousands of pages from the Epstein case file. Epstein, who was accused of running a large-scale sexual abuse network involving minors, was found dead in his jail cell in 2019.
The released documents included references and images connected to numerous public figures from politics, entertainment and business, reigniting debate over Epstein’s alleged ties to influential circles and the extent of official transparency surrounding the case.
