DOJ’s Epstein Document Release Omits Key Interviews Tied to Allegations Against President Trump

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not released summaries and notes from three separate FBI interviews conducted with a South Carolina woman who alleged sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein and also made sexual abuse allegations against President Donald Trump. This issue emerged following the DOJ’s release of millions of pages of Epstein-related files under transparency mandates, including materials from the FBI’s investigations and Ghislaine Maxwell’s prosecution.

Background on the Epstein Files Release

In late 2025 and early 2026 (with major tranches released around January 30, 2026), the DOJ publicly disclosed approximately 3.5 million pages of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. These files stem from federal probes, victim statements, and related cases. The releases aimed to promote transparency but have drawn scrutiny over apparent gaps.

Details of the Missing Records

Analyses by multiple outlets—including NBC News, CNN, The New York Times, NPR, and local South Carolina media (e.g., The Post and Courier, Island Packet)—revealed inconsistencies in the public database:

• The woman, from the Hilton Head Island area in South Carolina, contacted the FBI shortly after Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
• She alleged that Epstein sexually abused her repeatedly starting around 1983–1984, when she was approximately 13 years old. According to the one released FBI summary (an FD-302 form dated July 24, 2019), Epstein allegedly lured her to a vacation rental by responding to a babysitting ad (with no children present), provided drugs and alcohol, took nude photos, and assaulted her multiple times.
• She also accused Donald Trump of sexual assault in connection with these events (details in some referenced but unreleased materials include claims of forced acts and physical violence, such as being punched after an incident).
• FBI records, including an evidence log from the Maxwell case and internal indexes (e.g., serial reports and non-testifying witness material lists), indicate the FBI conducted four interviews with her in 2019 (July 24, plus follow-ups in August and October).
• Only one interview summary (the initial July 24 session, focused primarily on Epstein) is publicly available in the DOJ’s Epstein files database.
• The remaining three interview summaries, along with accompanying notes (potentially over 50 pages total across related gaps), photographs she provided, correspondence with her attorney, and other investigative materials, are absent.
• The woman was designated a “PROTECT SOURCE” in FBI documents—a rare notation typically reserved for high-risk informants facing potential retaliation.

These omissions were first flagged by independent journalist Roger Sollenberger and amplified by NPR’s investigation, which cross-referenced serial numbers in released documents and found dozens of missing pages. Broader reviews suggest over 90 witness interview records (out of ~325 listed) may be absent entirely.

Status of the Allegations

• The claims remain unverified and uncorroborated in the public record. Internal FBI notations in some circulated lists (e.g., a 2025 PowerPoint or threat operations summary) marked many Epstein-related tips—including those involving prominent names—as unverified or lacking credibility.
• The woman received a settlement from Epstein’s estate in 2021 after filing a related claim.
• President Trump has consistently denied all such allegations, describing them as fabrications or politically motivated. Similar uncorroborated claims surfaced in dismissed 2016 civil lawsuits (under pseudonyms like “Katie Johnson”/“Jane Doe”), which were withdrawn before the election.

DOJ Response and Ongoing Developments

The DOJ stated it is reviewing whether any records were “mistakenly withheld,” potentially due to errors, privileges, duplicates, or ties to ongoing investigations. Officials emphasized that only privileged or duplicate materials were intentionally withheld, but did not specifically address the gaps related to this woman.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), have demanded explanations, with some alleging improper withholding. The issue has sparked bipartisan calls for full transparency while highlighting victim privacy concerns.

This remains a developing story as of February 26, 2026, with no final resolution on the missing documents or their contents. The absences do not prove suppression or validate the allegations—they simply indicate incomplete public disclosure in a highly sensitive case.