1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

What are the Epstein files?

01:53

This browser does not support the video element.

Ana Shorter
November 18, 2025

The US House of Representatives is expected to unanimously vote to force the Justice Department to release its files on the activities of late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Why are these files so controversial?

The Epstein files contain emails, flight logs and testimonies linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier  and convicted sex offender. He commited suicide while in prison on charges of sex trafficking girls and young women. While thousands of documents have already been made public, many more remain sealed, sparking conspiracy theories about Epstein's death and ties to powerful figures. Survivors and advocacy groups demand transparency.

Skip next section Explore more
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW