With just eight days to go before Election Day, the Epstein files are, once again, front and center.

On Monday, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee published a staff report arguing that the files point to President Donald Trump — and that the Justice Department, under Attorney General Todd Blanche, has worked to bury that evidence.

Now they’re calling for an independent special counsel to investigate Trump, examine Blanche’s conflicts of interest and find out why the DOJ won’t hand over evidence to investigators in the states and overseas.

Read our full breakdown of the report →

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The Accounts

Eleven women’s accounts form the core of the report. Five say Trump raped or sexually assaulted them while Epstein was present. Two of them, former model Stacey Williams and former pageant contestant Beatrice Keul, have spoken under their own names. Democrats argue that the evidence clears the FBI’s bar for opening an investigation. Trump denies wrongdoing, and the White House says he has been “totally exonerated.”

Staff are upfront about what they couldn’t nail down: some accounts are secondhand and one couldn’t be verified. But it’s the section on the Justice Department where the report hits hardest.

The DOJ Case

Before he became attorney general, Blanche was Trump’s personal defense lawyer. The report says his July 2025 interview with Ghislaine Maxwell “potentially constituted witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding.” The transcript shows him redirecting her away from one victim’s allegations (”Let’s not talk about individuals”), and soon after, Maxwell was moved to a minimum-security prison camp.

Staff also lay out how investigative files were moved to Washington, how FBI interview records went missing from the public release, and how the department closed the case while insisting no one else warranted investigation.

Longtime readers will recognize the names. Blanche has been on our Contradictions Tracker since day one, and the report points to others we’ve covered, including Paolo Zampolli, Leon Black and Jes Staley.

Meet the Team: Jackie Appel

If the Justice Department won’t share what it has with state and foreign investigators, reporting from the ground becomes even more important. That’s why we’re glad to introduce the newest member of The Cover-Up team.

Jackie Appel is a writer, editor and proud New Mexico transplant with a master’s degree in journalism from New York University. She’s passionate about bringing attention to important stories and keeping that attention for as long as necessary. She is supervised in her home office by her two cats.

We asked Jackie a few questions about her work:

What drew you to the Epstein story, and to New Mexico specifically?
“Some of the most powerful people in our country have gotten away with facilitating and perpetrating abuse for many years, and I felt as though the New Mexico segment of that story was being overlooked on a national stage.”

What are you digging into right now?
“I’m in the process of investigating Epstein’s connections to scientists and academia at large, with a specific focus on the Santa Fe Institute.”

What’s one thing about Zorro Ranch that most people don’t know?
“Epstein’s girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, was a dentist and applied for her license in New Mexico saying she would be starting a practice at Zorro Ranch. Supplies were delivered to the ranch, and there are accounts of victims waking up next to medical equipment, but there is no record of her ever actually practicing dentistry.”

What kind of tips would help you most?
“Any information tied to the day-to-day operations of the ranch — especially firsthand accounts — would be extraordinarily valuable.”

If you know something about Zorro Ranch, the Santa Fe Institute or Epstein’s New Mexico operations, send Jackie a tip.

The people named in these files are hoping it all goes quiet after Election Day. We’re here to make sure it doesn’t.

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Keep following the record

• Contradictions Tracker: what the Epstein class said vs. what the files show

• Coverage + Accountability: everyone we’re tracking and where they stand now

• Search the files yourself: more than 1.2 million documents

• Below the Beltway: Camaron Stevenson’s weekly reporting from the Hill

• American Freakshow: Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth on MAGA extremism, every Tuesday

For more than a year, the people protecting Jeffrey Epstein’s network have been betting that voters would move on. Two weeks before Election Day, that bet is looking like a bad one.

The Epstein files have followed the powerful straight into the midterms. Campaigns are spending millions to talk about them. Lawmakers are laying the groundwork for what comes next if control of Congress changes hands. And the banks that kept Epstein’s money moving are back in the spotlight.

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The Epstein Files Are All Over the Airwaves

Campaigns have spent more than $35 million on more than 160 ads referencing Epstein this cycle, according to a CNN analysis. In 2024, there were just three such ads, all in local Florida races.

Nearly 90% of this year’s ads come from Democrats, from Georgia’s Senate race to Ohio’s. Some candidates have even started describing their opponents as members of the “Epstein class,” a phrase readers of this newsletter will know well.

This is not a messaging fad. The files keep showing that the people who enabled Epstein were bankers, executives and officials with real power, and voters keep showing they want answers. In a CNN/SSRS poll taken in January, just 6% of Americans said they were satisfied with how much of the Epstein files the government had released. Two-thirds said they believed the Justice Department was intentionally holding information back.

Next Up: The Banks

Last week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, introduced the Epstein Wall Street Records Act, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) as the only Republican cosponsor.

The bill would direct the Federal Reserve, SEC, FDIC and Comptroller of the Currency to investigate financial institutions and executives with ties to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Regulators would have to hand Epstein-related supervisory records to Congress within 90 days and make them public within 120. If they found wrongdoing, they would have to bar the executives responsible from banking or refer them to the Justice Department.

The banks at the center of it are ones this newsletter has been tracking for months:

• JPMorgan Chase, which kept Epstein as a client for years. It now calls the relationship “a mistake.”

• Deutsche Bank, which took Epstein on in 2013, years after his guilty plea.

• Bank of America, which allegedly failed to properly flag about $170 million in payments from Leon Black to Epstein.

Democrats have also called out Barclays over former CEO Jes Staley and Goldman Sachs over former counsel Kathy Ruemmler, saying the banks have provided unsatisfying answers about their Epstein ties.

Here’s the catch: the bill almost certainly won’t move unless Democrats win both chambers. The party that controls Congress in January will decide whether Wall Street’s role in this story ever gets a full public accounting.

And the Questions Won’t Stop at the Border

Across the Atlantic, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains under police investigation in the UK. He has not been charged and denies wrongdoing.

A Democratic House could subpoena unredacted files and hold hearings without needing the Senate or the White House. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) has already said he’ll keep calling on the former prince to testify in the next Congress.

Why This Still Matters

The Justice Department closed its Epstein review last year and has insisted ever since that there’s nothing left to find. But more than a dozen powerful figures have resigned over what’s in the files and just last week, Bard College’s president stepped down. Aside from Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, not one person has been criminally charged in the U.S.

Accountability hasn’t come from the people whose job it is to deliver it. It has come from survivors, reporters, lawmakers and readers who refuse to let this go.

In two weeks, voters get a say too.

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Stay on the record with us

• Contradictions Tracker: what the Epstein class told Congress vs. what the files show

• Coverage + Accountability: every name we’re tracking and where they stand today, from “still in power” to “resigned”

• Search the files yourself: more than 1.2 million documents, indexed and searchable

• Below the Beltway: Camaron Stevenson’s weekly reporting

Have a tip about a bank, an executive or anyone else in the files? Send it to us.

For years, the powerful men in Jeffrey Epstein’s orbit counted on time, money and a Justice Department that looked the other way. That’s starting to break. With no criminal investigations coming from the DOJ, members of Congress are now making public the names the department redacted from the files. And COURIER’s started keeping track of what happens next. Our Epstein coverage at epsteincoverup.us now follows what happens after someone turns up in the files. Each report carries a status showing where that person stands today: still in power, under investigation, or resigned. The Contradictions Tracker compares what people said with what the files reveal. These updates show what it’s costing them.

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The First Status Update: “Resigned”

Leon Botstein led Bard College for half a century. Last Wednesday, he resigned from the remaining positions he held there.

Botstein had already announced in May that he would step down as president, after Bard’s own review found that he had visited Epstein’s New York townhouse 25 times and stayed on his island. But as Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) pointed out in a press release last week, Botstein had continued serving as president, living in the president’s house and conducting a Bard orchestra.

What ultimately forced him out was a letter from Rep. Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, centered on a 2014 email that the DOJ released to the public with the sender identified only as “President.” The unredacted version available to members of Congress reveals that the email came from president@bard.edu.

In the email, the sender asked Epstein whether a woman he may have been trafficking was “for me, or are you keeping her for yourself?” Committee members say the woman, identified as Jane Doe, was a young foreign model and aspiring singer Epstein was grooming. According to Raskin’s letter, Epstein used his relationship with Botstein to convince her she could have a music career and in May 2014, sent her to meet Botstein so he could assess her talent.

“It is hard to construct any kind of innocent explanation for Botstein’s question and the surrounding events,” Raskin wrote.

Botstein denies the allegations and says he didn’t write the email. “Any assertion that I knew of or was involved in Epstein’s criminal behaviour is wrong,” he said in a statement, adding that he resigned “to protect Bard from any distraction.”

Bard’s board chair says the college is undertaking “a full review.”

The Names They Protected

Ready to get even angrier? Rep. Raskin says the evidence against Botstein “meets the federal standard for opening a criminal investigation,” yet the DOJ and FBI apparently had it for at least 18 months without acting. Instead, the department redacted the sender’s identity while releasing the young woman’s name hundreds of times.

“These emails implicate the DoJ in a widespread and knowing cover-up,” Raskin continued.

Now, lawmakers are “taking matters into their own hands,” according to The Times, which reports that Botstein is unlikely to be the last target. More than a dozen powerful figures have already resigned over what’s in the files, including former UK ambassador Lord Mandelson and former Harvard president Larry Summers. Not one person in the US has been criminally charged.

“The Jeffrey Epstein saga was never just about Jeffrey Epstein alone,” Raskin wrote. “It was about a network of accomplices, enablers, and co-conspirators that made his path of serial exploitation possible.”

Survivors Aren’t Waiting Either

Washington won’t put the files in front of the public, but survivors are bringing them directly to the people. Over the weekend, the Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Bookmobile — a van carrying tens of thousands of pages from the released files — rolled into Lewiston, Maine.

Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor, told WMTW the number of survivors is likely around 1,400. She said the government’s releases have left out documents and botched redactions so many times that it no longer looks accidental.

“It feels like incompetence is the strategy here,” she said.

Find the bookmobile’s upcoming stops at trumpepsteinreadingroom.com/tour.

This is What Accountability Looks Like

A college president is out. Congress is unredacting what the DOJ buried. Survivors are driving the evidence from town to town. None of this happened because the people in the files decided to come clean. It happened because others refused to let it go.

Every time a name in the files turns into a consequence, we’ll track it, and you’ll hear about it here first.

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Hi everyone,

I’m Adeola Adeosun, COURIER’s new National Political Editor, and starting today I’m your new guide through The Cover-Up. I’ve spent more than 15 years in newsrooms, including CNN and Newsweek, and I came to COURIER because this is a place that doesn’t flinch when the story leads to powerful and wealthy people.

Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors have waited decades for justice. The class of people who knew him, worked for him, and protected him have spent that time telling a story of their own. Congress was told they knew nothing. The public was told the investigation was thorough. We were also told there was nothing left to find.

The files say otherwise. So we started keeping receipts.

Our new Contradictions Tracker puts what Epstein’s associates and Trump administration officials have said next to what the government’s own documents show, so you can see the gap for yourself. Accountability starts with the record, and we’re building it one file at a time.

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Why We Built It

Denials work when nobody is keeping score.

For years, people in Epstein’s orbit have counted on the public forgetting what they said last month, last year or under questioning from Congress. The Contradictions Tracker is our answer to that. Each entry pairs a public statement with the documents that contradict it, links straight to the primary sources and names the person who made the claim.

Our goal is simple. We want to make it impossible for the people who enabled Epstein to rewrite the record, and put the evidence in your hands so you can hold them accountable too. The first entries are live now and we’ll keep adding new ones on a rolling basis. When we do, you’ll hear about it here first.

We Want To Hear From You

The Contradictions Tracker is built for you, so we want your help making it better. Leave a comment and tell us:

• What do you think? Is it clear? Is it useful? Would you share it?

• What would make it better? Is there a feature, a format or a way of presenting the evidence that would help?

• Who should be on it next? Which denials, officials, or statements do you want us to check against the files?

And if you’ve found something in the files yourself, send us a tip. Some of the best leads in this story have come from readers, and survivors deserve every set of eyes we can get on these documents.

Voices We Trust

• Sara Wiles

• Larry the Sociologist

• Brian Recker

• Rosie Card

• HeresWhyKevin

• Heather Ashley

• Ollie Rose

• Women_InAmerica

• Minna Lee Jamison

• Remaking Manhood

• The Reclaimed

• PullupsPastaPolitics

• Haley Lickstein

Dig In Yourself

• Search the Epstein files. Our partners at Thorian AI indexed more than 1.2 million documents into a database anyone can use.

• Below the Beltway. Camaron Stevenson’s reporting from the Hill is behind much of what’s on the tracker. His Epstein coverage publishes every week.

• COURIER’s full Epstein coverage. The complete archive.

• The Epstein Class. Our timelines on Todd Blanche, Pam Bondi and Paolo Zampolli

Justice for survivors means accountability for everyone who enabled Epstein, not just the man himself.

Send this to someone who thinks the Epstein story is over.

We’re just getting started.

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Last week, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), who co-authored the original Epstein Files Transparency Act passed last year, announced that they had secured the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act 2.0. In addition to Massie, three other Republicans—Reps. Ralph Norman (SC), Nancy Mace (SC) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA)—broke rank from President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson to join Democrats in calling for the bill's passage. Congress is currently in recess and not expected to return until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, so the bill has not yet been signed. If passed, it would allow victims to access the unredacted files upon request and grant them, as well as state attorneys general, the right to sue Blanche’s DOJ. This could be a game changer for figures like New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who recently sued the DOJ for failing to produce records he had requested in his investigation. Meanwhile, before leaving Washington, the House voted unanimously to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt for failing to comply with the House Oversight Committee's subpoenas. Black is thus far the only witness related to the case to be held in contempt, marking the first time Oversight Chairman James Comer (R- KY) has shown such strong willingness to hold a witness' feet to the flame.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Todd Blanche’s Own Lawyer Just Bailed On His Epstein Cover-Up

  COURIER’S Camaron Stevenson breaks down the details of the lawsuit filed by attorney and MeidasTouch host Katie Phang, who took AG Todd Blanche to court over the Epstein files. Watch now on YouTube, Facebook and Substack.

• Don Jr.’s new father-in-law was an Epstein banker

  In this week’s American Freakshow, Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth look into Harry Loy Anderson, who served as Jeffrey Epstein’s personal banker for years. Share now on Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky and Substack.

• Steve Bannon sides with Wall Street oligarchs over tech billionaires in AI race

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson details how Epstein’s friend Steven Bannon is trying to help President Trump take control of the AI sector. Read now on Substack.

• Congress sends contempt charges for Epstein bankroller Leon Black to DOJ

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson covers Congress’ decision to hold Leon Black in contempt for failing to comply with congressional subpoenas. Read now on Substack, Twitter and Bluesky.

• New Mexico’s ‘Epstein loophole’ is still on the books. That could soon change.

  Courier New Mexico’s Jackie Appel examines the legal technicality that allowed Epstein to avoid registering as a sex offender in the state. Read now on The Cover-Up.

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Headlines to Know

• Epstein’s closest advisers may never see the millions he left them CNN, Em Steck, 09/21/26

• The Epstein reckoning hits the campaign trail Salon, Grace Panetta, 09/21/26

• Epstein survivors struggle financially as they continue to heal their wounds The Guardian, Victoria Bekiempis, 09/21/26

• FAU autism center director resigns after Epstein fund scheme plea The Palm Beach Post, Valentina Palm, 09/18/26

• Blanche warned of contempt risk in Epstein files case Axios, Josephine Walker, 09/17/26

Join the Investigation

COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

Like our coverage? Subscribe to COURIER’s YouTube and catch up on our Epstein Cover-Up playlist.

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With Congress out on a multi-week pre-election recess, there haven’t been any significant new developments on the Epstein front domestically. International investigations, however, are progressing and — unsurprisingly — running into resistance from the DOJ. As reported by the Washington Post, law enforcement agencies in Poland, Norway, Latvia, and the U.K. say they have encountered roadblocks from the U.S. Justice Department and have yet to receive documents they requested from the department while pursuing their own leads. Some of this could be a reflection of the DOJ’s longstanding operational issues due to high turnover and outdated technology, but when paired with Attorney General Todd Blanche’s efforts to block the release of new information at home, it’s hard not to wonder whether the stonewalling abroad is deliberate.

Meanwhile, after opening a human trafficking investigation following the release of the Epstein files back in January, French authorities announced that they had identified possible recruiters tied to Epstein, along with 13 new victims who hadn’t appeared in previous cases. It’s a worthwhile reminder that the global scale of Epstein’s network means this story isn’t simply going to disappear, no matter how hard the Trump administration tries to squash it.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• How The Epstein Backlash Will Shape the Midterms

  COURIER CEO and Gloves Off host Tara McGowan sits down with National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson to discuss COURIER’s new poll showing fallout from the Epstein files may have significant implications for the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. Watch now on YouTube, Instagram & Spotify.

• The Notes Trump Doesn’t Want You to See

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson breaks down the complicated story of FBI notes containing accusations against Trump that were blocked by the DOJ and then leaked to a conservative journalist. Watch now on YouTube.

• The Three Musketeers

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth look into the three MAGA influencers who landed jobs at the Pentagon after publicly going to bat for Trump on Epstein. Share now on Twitter, Facebook & Bluesky.

• Trump and Epstein Reading Room exhibit opens in Dallas

  COURIER Texas takes readers inside the Dallas exhibit featuring 3.5 million pages of DOJ Epstein documents printed and bound into 3,437 volumes.⁣ Share now on Instagram & Facebook.

• James Talarico Calls on Ken Paxton to Sue for Release of Epstein Files

  Democratic US Senate candidate James Talarico met with Epstein survivors and called on his Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, to sue for the release of the remaining files. Watch on Instagram & Facebook.

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Headlines to Know

• Rep. Ro Khanna accuses Speaker Johnson of calling recess to avoid Epstein legislation and more KOB, Blake Troli, 09/14/26

• Epstein Survivors Got Kicked Out of the Republican Midterm Convention The New Republic, Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, 09/11/26

• Kash Patel Told FBI To Reply to Epstein Troll Account, Messages Reveal Newsweek, Alice Gibbs, 09/11/26

• New FBI Disclosures of Missing Trump Administration Communications Expose Noncompliance with Epstein Files Transparency Act Democracy Defenders, 09/10/26

• James Talarico accuses Ken Paxton of ‘ignoring’ Epstein survivors The Guardian, Adam Gabbatt and David Smith, 09/10/26

Join the Investigation

COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

Like our coverage? Subscribe to COURIER’s YouTube and catch up on our Epstein Cover-Up playlist.

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The reverberations from the Epstein Files are still being felt across the electorate in profound ways. Last week, COURIER and Reckoning Action released a new poll conducted by public opinion research firm GBAO. It found that 88% of Americans who plan to vote in the midterms will prioritize candidates who promise to hold powerful people accountable, including through the release of the full Epstein files. The results offer a striking look at how voters are weighing accountability against issues like healthcare, affordability, and immigration. But perhaps the most notable finding is just how bipartisan the sentiment is: 83% of Republican voters say accountability will factor into their votes. That finding feels particularly salient in light of billionaire Leon Black’s escalation against Congress last week. Black, who bankrolled Epstein for years, was subpoenaed back in June to appear under oath and produce non-disclosure agreements he signed with women tied to Epstein. Rather than comply, he sued the Oversight Committee last week, a decision that drew immediate bipartisan condemnation from committee members. Chair James Comer (R-KY) called it "unacceptable" and emphasized the importance of Black’s testimony to the investigation. Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-CA), meanwhile, called for Black to be held in contempt.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Poll: Epstein Cover-up front of mind for voters going into Midterms

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson covers the new poll from COURIER and Reckoning Action finding that three in four respondents who voted for Trump in 2024 said justice for Epstein’s victims and accountability for his co-conspirators would be a top factor when filling out their ballots. Share on Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky & Instagram.

• Unmasking the Redacts

  In this week’s American Freakshow, Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth examine the men whose names were redacted from the Epstein files — from Steve Bannon to the Saudi crown prince — despite the DOJ’s claims that no one was being protected. Read now on Twitter Facebook & Bluesky.

• Epstein Billionaire Refuses to Testify, Then Sues Congress

  Kat Tenbarge of Spitfire News digs into billionaire Leon Black, who paid Jeffrey Epstein $158 million and is now suing the House Oversight Committee instead of complying with its subpoenas. Watch now on YouTube.

• Congress plans contempt charges for Epstein bankroller Leon Black

  In this week’s Below the Beltway, Camaron Stevenson breaks down the contempt charges involving Leon Black. Share now on Facebook, Twitter & Substack.

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Headlines to Know

• Survivors of Epstein’s Abuse Say They Feel Snubbed by the DOJ NOTUS, Derek Hawkins, 09/04/26

• Frédéric Fekkai Faces Lawsuit Alleging Ties to Jeffrey Epstein Women’s Wear Daily, Kathryn Hopkins, 09/04/26

• Fake Version of Republican Midterm Convention Website Redirects to Epstein Files The New York Times, Kellen Browning, 09/04/26

• Epstein Update: 106 Lawmakers Sign Petition to Make DOJ Release More Files Newsweek, Andrew Stanton, 09/04/26

• Rosie O’Donnell Meets With Epstein Survivors: ‘Sorry That Our Country Is So F–ked Up’ The Wrap, Jacob Bryant, 09/03/26

• Will the DOJ act on Epstein co-conspirators list issued by Massie? The Hill, Diana Falzone, 09/02/26

Join the Investigation

COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

Like our coverage? Subscribe to COURIER’s YouTube and catch up on our Epstein Cover-Up playlist.

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Last week, a federal judge in New York granted final approval to Bank of America’s $72.5 million settlement with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking operation. As part of the settlement, the bank agreed to pay the victims, but did not admit to any wrongdoing. However, a report released earlier this month by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) directly contradicted this framing – presenting evidence that the bank waited years to flag and report suspicious activity in Epstein’s accounts while continuing to profit from his business. Bank of America is now the third major bank to settle with Epstein’s victims, following similar agreements by JP Morgan Chase and Deutsche Bank in 2023.

Meanwhile, another federal judge in New York rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s latest appeal to overturn her sex trafficking conviction. At the hearing, the judge categorically dismissed Maxwell’s assertion that her constitutional rights had been violated during her trial, calling the claims “frivolous.” Legal analysts say that Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, has exhausted all legal avenues for overturning her conviction – save, of course, a presidential pardon.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• DOJ leaked withheld portion of Epstein Files to conservative media, doxxing victims

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson debunks the DOJ’s claim that withheld notes alleging misconduct against President Trump were duplicative, showing that newly discovered files contained additional details and identified witnesses who had not been contacted. Read now on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky & Facebook.

• The Billionaire and the Recruiters Part Three

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth dig deeper into Epstein’s relationship with his friend and benefactor Leon Black, uncovering new correspondence, unexplained photos and NDAs. Read now on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky & Facebook.

• State lawmaker calls for AG to investigate Michigan arts school tied to Jeffrey Epstein

  The ‘Gander reports on Michigan lawmakers’ push for the state attorney general to open an investigation into Epstein’s close ties to a world-renowned performing arts school. Share now on Instagram.

• Nevada cowboys have questions about Epstein — and Washington

  Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) speaks with cattle ranchers in Nevada about the Epstein files, corruption, money in politics, and the impact these issues have had on working-class Americans. Share now on Instagram.

• Over 20 years, Andy Biggs repeatedly voted to protect sex predators

  As Andy Biggs campaigns for governor, The Copper Courier’s Sahara Sajjadi examines the congressman’s history of being soft on sex predators, including his initial resistance to releasing the Epstein files last year. Share now on Instagram & Facebook.

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Headlines to Know

• Sarah Ferguson to return to UK after relocating amid Epstein revelations The Guardian, Sammy Gecsoyler, 08/29/26

• Why the Epstein Scandal Looms Over New Norwegian Queen Newsweek, Jesus Mesa, 08/28/26

• Doctor whose wife is at center of Trump-Epstein claims flees Miami before trial The Miami Herald, Grethel Aguila 08/28/26

• Takeaways From Jes Staley’s Testimony About Epstein The Wall Street Journal, Maya Davis, 08/27/26

• DOJ signals it will appeal ruling requiring removal of some redactions in Epstein files The Hill, Rebecca Beitsch, 08/24/26

Join the Investigation

COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

Like our coverage? Subscribe to COURIER’s YouTube and catch up on our Epstein Cover-Up playlist.

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After eight years of litigation, a federal judge has ordered the release of the case files related to a lawsuit Virginia Giuffre brought against convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre sued Maxwell for defamation in 2015 after Maxwell accused her of lying about being abused by Epstein, Maxwell, and other figures. The case never went to trial: Maxwell ultimately settled with Giuffre for somewhere between $3 and $5 million. In the wake of the settlement, the judge sealed all the documents, claiming they contained private and sensitive information. Although some of those records were eventually released in 2019 and 2024, journalist Julie K. Brown (whose investigative work was critical to breaking the Epstein story open) and her employer, the Miami Herald continued to fight in court for the release of the full case file. The new ruling means the DOJ now has to release the remaining files, although whether it will comply without another fight is a different question. As we’ve seen in Katie Phang’s lawsuit, Attorney General Todd Blanche doesn’t always feel beholden to the law — or to court orders — when it comes to releasing Epstein-related records.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• 7 Takeaways From New Report On Epstein’s Zorro Ranch

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson examines why authorities didn’t search Epstein’s Zorro Ranch until last year, despite abuse being reported on the property as early as 1996. Watch now on YouTube & Instagram.

• Epstein survivors criticize Sen. Cornyn for supporting Blanche for AG

  Courier Texas’ Ricky Longoria looks at Texas Sen. John Cornyn’s pivotal vote to confirm Epstein cover-up architect Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Watch now on Instagram.

• New Mexico AG says Trump admin is ‘stonewalling’ Epstein investigation

  Courier New Mexico covers NM Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s accusation that AG Todd Blanche and the Trump administration are stonewalling investigations into Epstein’s New Mexico property. Watch now on Facebook.

• Rep. Comer plans to pressure DOJ to reopen Epstein investigation

  Hellbender Newsroom looks into claims made by House Oversight Committee chair Rep. James Comer that he will pressure the DOJ to reopen its Epstein investigation. Watch now on Instagram.

• Survivors rallied against the US Senate confirming Todd Blanche as the next US attorney general

  The Copper Courier covers Rep. Yassamin Ansari’s criticism of AG Todd Blanche’s handling of the Epstein Files and how he has repeatedly failed survivors. Read now on Facebook.

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Headlines to Know

• Fears for Mandelson investigation as Met still doesn’t have unredacted Epstein files The Independent, Amy-Clare Martin, 08/22/26

• The Epstein scandal could unite us if we’re brave enough to face it The Press Democrat, Steven Bradley, 08/21/26

• Epstein-linked chair of Malaysian port operator was picked for his expertise, parent firm says Reuters, Yantoultra Ngui and Rozanna Latiff, 08/20/26

• Epstein client Leon Black threatened with contempt by House panel chair The Guardian, Stephanie Kirchgaessner, 08/19/26

• Epstein victims’ suit against FBI poised to survive dismissal, for now Courthouse News Service, Sydney Haulenbeek, 08/18/26

Join the Investigation

COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

Like our coverage? Subscribe to COURIER’s YouTube and catch up on our Epstein Cover-Up playlist.

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Less than a week after Todd Blanche was sworn in as Attorney General, the DOJ was already facing accusations of breaking the law. Last Thursday, Judge Emmet Sullivan held a status conference on independent journalist Katie Phang’s lawsuit against the DOJ over its wrongful withholding of certain Epstein files. During the hearing, Sullivan openly expressed frustration with the Justice Department for failing to turn over required documents and for refusing to explain certain redactions and the absence of handwritten FBI notes. Despite making it abundantly clear that he didn’t want to hold the Justice Department in contempt, Sullivan’s patience with DOJ lawyers appeared to be wearing thin. “The public has a right to know what the hell is going on in this case,” he said, before spending half an hour recounting a previous case in which he held DOJ lawyers in contempt — an apparent reminder of his willingness to do so when pressed.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act required the full release of the Epstein files, yet almost nine months after it was signed into law, the DOJ continues to drag its feet and obstruct transparency at every turn. Whatever the outcome of the suit, Phang and her lawyers deserve enormous credit for holding Blanche’s DOJ to account and stepping in where legacy media has failed.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• After year of depositions on Epstein, Comer promises criminal referrals by Christmas

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson discusses House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer’s stated plan to make criminal referrals in the Epstein investigation to prosecutors by the end of the year. Share now on Substack, Twitter & Bluesky.

• Todd Blanche, Trump’s “Boy” Cohn

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh tells the origin story of Attorney General Todd Blanche — from preacher’s son to enforcer of the Epstein cover-up. Read and share on Substack, Facebook, Twitter & Bluesky.

• The Epstein Lawsuit Melania Doesn’t Want You To Know About

  Camaron Stevenson covers Melania Trump’s lawsuit against her former friend Amanda Ungaro over claims she made about the First Lady’s ties to Epstein. Watch now on YouTube, Instagram & Facebook.

• Trump World Turned R*pe Propaganda Into a Business Model

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh discusses Don Jr.’s ties to accused sex trafficker Andrew Tate. Watch now on Facebook & Instagram.

• A family named in the Epstein files donated thousands to Ken Paxton’s campaign

  Courier Texas reports on a Texas real estate family named in the Epstein files that donated thousands of dollars to Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign. Share now on Instagram & Facebook.

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Headlines to Know

• Will Trump free Andrew and Tristan Tate? Epstein files loom over case USA Today, Will Carless, 08/14/26

• Who Is Cami Clark? Anthropic CEO’s Wife Asked Epstein To Invest In Porn Business Forbes, Alison Durkee, 08/14/26

• New FBI Epstein Emails Show Sarah Ferguson Contacted Kash Patel Bloomberg, Jason Leopold and Harry Wilson, 08/14/26

• The Strange Tale of Leon Black and Jeffrey Epstein Vanity Fair, Nate Freeman, 08/14/26

• The time Hugh Hefner told the FBI about Jeffrey Epstein The Epstein Files, Julie K Brown, 08/11/26

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This past week saw a flurry of major developments in the Epstein investigation at both the state and federal levels. Perhaps most significantly, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a new report focused on following the money and tracing Epstein’s financial trail. Wyden has been pursuing this investigation for some time now, using his position as ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee to dig into Epstein’s financial ties for almost four years. His 65-page report paints a damning portrait of the banking industry, highlighting the many ways banks and top executives turned a blind eye to Epstein’s suspicious activity for fear of losing an extremely lucrative client. “If federal prosecutors are serious about preventing the next Jeffrey Epstein,” the report reads, “they must hold Wall Street accountable.”

The investigations into Epstein’s sprawling Zorro Ranch in New Mexico also took a significant turn this week. In a serious escalation, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued the Department of Justice and newly-appointed AG Todd Blanche, accusing them of stonewalling the state’s Epstein investigation. Meanwhile, the state’s bipartisan truth commission released its interim report into possible criminal activity at Zorro Ranch, saying it found credible evidence to support the abuse allegations of women and girls at the property.

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• Epstein Zorro Ranch Files Exposed! (ft. Rep Andrea Romero)

  COURIER CEO and Gloves Off host Tara McGowan interviews New Mexico State Rep. Andrea Romero about her truth commission’s investigation into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. Watch and listen on Youtube, Instagram and Spotify.

• All Choked Up Part Two

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth trace how Don Jr. helped turn accused sex trafficker Andrew Tate’s rape propaganda into a business model. Share on Substack, Twitter , Facebook & Bluesky.

• 7 Takeaways from new report on Epstein’s Zorro Ranch

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson breaks down the most significant news coming out of New Mexico’s Epstein Truth Commission. Read and share on Substack.

• State report exposes Jeffrey Epstein’s unchecked New Mexico crimes

  Courier New Mexico’s Ben Montoya dives into the 119-page report detailing how state and federal agencies ignored illegal guns, private airfields, and abuse at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. Share on Facebook, TikTok & Instagram.

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Headlines to Know

• Jeffrey Epstein and Saint-Tropez: The sex predator’s other hunting ground in France Le Monde, Jérôme Lefilliâtre, Vincent Nouvet, Stéphanie Pierre and Lucie Soullier, 08/08/26

• Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general after bruising fight The Hill, Rebecca Beitsch, 08/08/26

• Exclusive: House Democrat urges Goldman Sachs to cut ties with former top lawyer over Epstein scrutiny CNN, Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, 08/07/26

• Major banks enabled Epstein’s crimes, Democratic senator’s report asserts Axios, Herb Scribner, 08/06/26

• Epstein’s New Mexico secrets: Truth Commission details failures, evidence and what comes next New Mexico Political Report, Jesse Jones, 08/05/26

• Burnham not actively considering Epstein inquiry, No 10 says BBC, Nicholas Watt and Sophie McAlpine, 08/05/26

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Acting AG Todd Blanche, who has been central to the second Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case from the start, was faced with pressure on multiple fronts over the past week. His nomination for Attorney General briefly appeared to be in jeopardy when Republican Senators Cornyn and Tillis threatened to block it unless he explicitly stated in writing that the administration would not create a controversial slush fund for Trump’s allies. Blanche responded Sunday night by announcing he was formally scrapping the plan, but also snuck in language that would shield Trump from future IRS audits of his past tax returns. That appears to have been enough to win over Cornyn and Tillis, however, who now both say they will be voting to advance his nomination. Meanwhile, Blanche’s DOJ was forced to turn over unredacted Epstein records to a federal judge last Thursday in response to journalist Katie Phang’s lawsuit challenging the administration’s handling of the files. (The DOJ has already admitted to unnecessarily redacting Epstein’s email address in response to the suit). Now the judge overseeing the case will examine the unredacted records himself to determine whether the DOJ’s stated rationale for its redactions actually carries weight. While both stories are still unfolding, what remains clear is that Blanche continues to play a central role in the administration´s Epstein cover-up.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• The Timeline of Todd Blanche

  Trace the life and career of Acting AG Todd Blanche—including his role in the Trump administration´s Epstein cover-up—through court records, DOJ disclosures, and original reporting from COURIER´s Nina Burleigh, Katie Chenoweth and Camaron Stevenson. Share on Twitter, Threads & Bluesky.

• What a new report reveals about Jeffrey Epstein’s years in Northern Michigan

  The Gander’s Kyle Kaminski covers a new report investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s extensive connections to the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Share now on Instagram & Facebook.

• Blanche risks losing AG role over promise to grant Trump family tax immunity

  Camaron Stevenson explains why Blanche’s AG nomination could be in precarious shape due to Trump’s slush fund and his meeting with Epstein survivors. Read now on Substack, Bluesky, Threads & Twitter.

• All Choked Up

  In this week’s American Freakshow, Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth examine the allegations against the Tate brothers, their political connections to the Trump administration and their ideological similarities to Epstein. Read now on Substack, Threads, Twitter & Facebook.

• Why the Senate Hearings on Todd Blanche Feel So Disorienting

  Grave Injustice’s Lisa Graves breaks down why Blanche’s confirmation process feels so disturbing. Read now on Substack, Twitter, Threads and Facebook.

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Headlines to Know

• DoJ appears to ignore New Mexico deadline for key Epstein ranch files The Guardian, Richard Luscombe, 08/01/26

• Epstein accusers say Trump’s DOJ nominee was dismissive to them USA TODAY, Erin Mansfield, 07/31/26

• MAGA Candidate Faces Fresh Heat Over Epstein Pen Pal Cash The Daily Beast, Vic Verbalaitis, 07/30/26

• Senate resolution opposes pardon for Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell The Washington Post, Alexei Koseff, 07/29/26

• Investigation of School Epstein Helped Finds Abuses Went Beyond Him The New York Times, Graham Bowley, 07/28/26

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One of the greatest cover-ups by our federal government in modern American history also requires non-government actors to perpetuate it; in this case, the bankers, executives, and financiers who moved Jeffrey Epstein’s money and shielded him for decades. Last Thursday, former JPMorgan Chase investment banking chair Jes Staley – who had extensive ties to Epstein – appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a closed-door interview attempting to downplay his relationship with the disgraced sex trafficker. As Epstein’s longtime private banker at JPMorgan, Staley helped keep the money flowing, allowing Epstein to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars through the bank for years (despite repeated warning signs), all while profiting handsomely from the relationship. After the hearing, Oversight Committee member Rep. Yassamin Ansari blasted Staley’s attempts to minimize his Epstein ties and criticized Acting AG Todd Blanche for failing to look more closely into Staley. That same day, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna sent a letter to Barclays – where Staley served as CEO for four years after leaving JP Morgan – demanding answers about the bank’s failure to adequately investigate Staley’s decades-long friendship with Epstein before hiring him.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, also continued the pre-recess push by launching an investigation into Epstein’s extensive international ties. In a letter to Blanche, Secretary Marco Rubio, and DNI nominee Jay Clayton, Raskin said there was ample evidence that Epstein had leveraged his relationship with President Trump with foreign actors and demanded records related to his connections in 19 countries.

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• Melania Trump threatens former modeling friend with defamation lawsuit over Epstein allegations

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson breaks down the First Lady’s lawsuit against her former friend Amanda Ungaro and journalist Zev Shalev over their discussion of alleged ties between her, the president, and Epstein. Share on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, & BlueSky.

• The Hand-Written Notes From Epstein They Don’t Want You Reading

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson reports on Epstein’s handwritten notes intentionally being withheld by Trump’s DOJ. Watch now on YouTube, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

• The Billionaire and the Recruiters Part Two

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth trace the emails linking Epstein’s recruiting operation to billionaire Leon Black and the recently deceased Daniel Siad. Share on Substack, Bluesky, and Twitter.

• Democrats demand Sununu ‘come clean’ on ‘egregious lie’ over Epstein ties

  Former US Rep. Annie Kuster and other New Hampshire Democrats call for Republican Sen. John Sununu to disclose any Epstein connections after he was caught lying about a trip to Qatar. Share on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

• Report: Ayotte took $13,500 from donors named in Epstein files

  The Granite Post’s Colin Booth writes about campaign contributions Gov. Kelly Ayotte received from well-known Epstein associates. Share on Facebook & Instagram.

• Known Epstein Associate Found Dead In Paris

  Kat Tenbarge of Spitfire News dives into Daniel Siad’s history with Jeffrey Epstein and how the modeling scout allegedly used his position to assist in the trafficking of women and girls. Watch now on YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.

• Tate Brothers partied with Paolo Zampolli before arrest

  COURIER CEO Tara McGowan reports that Trump official and known Epstein associate Paolo Zampolli hosted Andrew and Tristan Tate before their arrests on rape and sex trafficking charges. Watch now on Instagram.

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Headlines to Know

• Meet Jeffrey Epstein’s Girlfriend, Who Stands to Inherit Much of His Estate The New York Times, Matthew Goldstein and Sharon Otterman, 07/26/26

• Modelling scout linked to Epstein found dead in Paris BBC, Dan Sales, 07/22/26

• Blanche-led DoJ likely to derail Epstein survivors’ pursuit of justice, experts say The Guardian, Victoria Bekiempis, 07/27/26

• The Flight Network Behind Jeffrey Epstein’s Trafficking Operation Bloomberg, Peter Guest, Jeff Kao, Christopher Cannon, Surya Mattu and Max Harlow, 07/24/26

• Trump Awkwardly Congratulates Wall Street Journal Reporters He Sued Over Epstein Letters Story Forbes, Antonio Pequeño IV, 07/25/26

• A Teen Reporter Searched for His Community in the Epstein Files. Adults Freaked Out Wired, Ara Rosenthal, 07/22/26

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On the eve of Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton’s confirmation hearings, Rep. Jayapal and Sen. Booker introduced the Redact Act, which would allow victims whose personal information was released to seek compensation and hold DOJ officials accountable. The following day, Clayton, nominated to become the next Director of National Intelligence, faced questions about his time leading the Epstein investigation as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Senators pressed him over the bungled release of grand jury material that exposed the personal information of Epstein’s victims. Elsewhere on the Hill, Acting AG Blanche was grilled on his pivotal role in the administration’s cover-up, including his oversight of the DOJ’s file release. Blanche was eventually strong-armed into meeting with survivors after Sen. Tillis said he would withhold the critical vote needed to secure his nomination unless he took their meeting (a meeting that victims later described as “demoralizing”). Pressure on Blanche and the DOJ continued to mount after Reps. Massie and Khanna introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II on Wednesday, aimed at giving government officials and survivors the right to challenge the DOJ in court for failing to comply with the original law.

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• Blanche clears path to nomination after performative meeting with Epstein survivors

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson breaks down Blanche’s role in the DOJ’s cover-up and why survivors were left disappointed and angry after their meeting. Share on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky & Threads.

• Todd Blanche grilled on Epstein Files in brutal hearing

  Mason of OneHandPolitics covers Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing, where he faced bipartisan scrutiny over his handling of Epstein files and his time as Trump’s personal lawyer. Share now on YouTube and TikTok.

• Kathy Ruemmler and ‘Your Boy George’

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burliegh and Katie Chenoweth delve into the evidence that Jeffrey Epstein’s network closely tracked the Mueller investigation into foreign election interference. Share now on Substack, Twitter, & Facebook.

• Epstein’s Used Thousands Of NDAs. Congress Is Exposing Them

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson reports on how Epstein financier Leon Black weaponized NDAs against his victims. Watch now on YouTube.

• Epstein Survivors Release Damning Video Against Todd Blanche

  Mason of OneHandPolitics covers the powerful video Epstein survivors released ahead of Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing. Watch now on Youtube & TikTok.

• What Happens in Russia…

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth examine records suggesting that Leon Black was poised to bankroll Trump Tower Moscow. Read now on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky & Facebook.

• NC sex trafficking survivors urge Tillis to oppose Todd Blanche for attorney general

  Cardinal & Pine’s Dylan Rhoney reports on the North Carolina sex trafficking survivors urging their Senator to block Blanche’s nomination. Share now on Facebook and Instagram.

• Is Trump’s DOJ Obstructing an Investigation into Epstein’s New Mexico Ranch?

  Courier New Mexico’s Ben Montoya details NM AG Raúl Torrez’s accusation that Blanche’s DOJ is stonewalling the state’s investigation into Zorro Ranch. Share now on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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Headlines to Know

• ‘We couldn’t let her story end there’: Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s brother on the year since her shocking death – and why he’s still fighting in her name The Guardian, Emine Saner, 07/19/26

• Vance’s Remarks on Epstein and Israel Echo Conspiracy Theories The New York Times, Tim Balk and Lisa Lerer, 07/18/26

• Leon Black walked out of an Epstein House committee interview. Here’s what we know PBS, Maria Ramirez Uribe, 07/17/26

• Alan Dershowitz cancels on House Oversight ahead of planned Epstein interview Politico, Chris Marquette, 07/17/26

• Control, threats, disfiguring surgery: My life inside Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘cult’ BBC, Chi Chi Izundu, Olivia Davies, and Will Dahlgreen, 07/17/26

• Democrats’ witness opposing Blanche’s confirmation is more than an Epstein survivor NPR, Ava Berger, 07/15/26

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The DOJ continues to swat down legal requests to produce additional Epstein-related documents. Rather than simply release more files, the agency opted to explain its non-compliance with the court order in independent journalist Katie Phang’s lawsuit and is now also denying a FOIA request from government watchdog group American Oversight. The request seeks “all text messages and messages on messaging platforms ... sent or received by Todd Blanche and containing the term ‘Epstein.’” The group said the timing is especially urgent because of Blanche’s upcoming confirmation hearings. The DOJ, however, contends that releasing the documents now would unfairly allow American Oversight to jump ahead of other FOIA requesters and “wreak havoc on agencies and the court.” This argument of proper procedures and timelines is particularly flimsy though when held side by side with New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s accusation that the DOJ has been obstructing the state’s investigation into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. According to Torrez, New Mexico requested relevant documents more than 130 days ago and has yet to receive them.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Todd Blanche Panics as Federal Judge Rules He Broke the Epstein Files Law

  Katie Phang joins COURIER CEO and publisher Tara McGowan on her show, Gloves Off, to discuss her suit pushing the DOJ to release more Epstein files. Watch now on YouTube & Instagram.

• Todd Blanche admits to withholding handwritten notes in Epstein Files

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson details the handwritten Epstein notes DOJ withheld from the published Files, including ones tied to a minor’s trafficking allegations against Trump. Read on Substack.

• Epstein survivors urge Sen. Tillis to reject Trump AG pick who ‘betrayed’ them

  Cardinal & Pine’s Dylan Rhoney covers the Epstein survivors calling out Todd Blanche for his mishandling of the Epstein files. Share now on Facebook & Instagram.

• Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie pushes for Epstein file release ahead of Blanche confirmation hearing

  Hellbender Newsroom’s Olivia Krauth unpacks Rep. Massie’s continued quest for transparency around the Epstein files. Share now on TikTok, Instagram & Facebook.

• Steve Bannon, Populist False Prophet

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth trace the friendship Epstein shared with his “Lambchop,” Steve Bannon. Share now on Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram & Threads.

• This Billionaire Paid Epstein Millions. Congress Wants to Know Why.

  Camaron Stevenson breaks down the details of billionaire Leon Black’s relationship with Epstein. Watch now on YouTube.

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Headlines to Know

• Judge Says President’s Lawsuit With I.R.S. Was Self-Dealing The New York Times, Andrew Duehren and Alan Feuer, 07/13/26

• Goldman lawyer Ruemmler to be questioned by House panel on Epstein ties Reuters, Saeed Azhar, 07/13/26

• Dimon pressed over whether he lobbied UK government on Epstein’s advice The Financial Times, Jim Pickard, Lauren Fedor, and Joshua Franklin, 07/12/26

• New Mexico’s AG says DOJ is stonewalling probe of Epstein ranch — again MS NOW, Ja’han Jones, 07/10/26

• Why the House’s Epstein investigation isn’t going away Politico, Hailey Fuchs, 07/09/26

• NM Attorney General demands unredacted Epstein files by July 31 KOB, Trevor Thompson, 07/09/26

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Last week, as the court-ordered deadline in independent journalist Katie Phang’s lawsuit approached, the DOJ had to either release additional files or explain why it wouldn’t. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche chose the latter. Through his attorneys, Blanche (who is vying for the position long-term) claimed that the DOJ was acting in full accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Katie Phang said that her legal team was already preparing a response to the DOJ’s filing.

In other news, the New Mexico Truth Commission has begun receiving subpoenaed materials from a variety of different agencies, demonstrating the progress that is possible when those in power are committed to accountability.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Epstein probe hones in on billionaire kryptonite: non-disclosure agreements

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson unpacks how Epstein’s circle weaponized NDAs to silence victims. Share now on Bluesky, TikTok, Threads and Facebook.

• The Epstein Lawyers Association

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth examine the attorneys who defended Epstein and advised Leon Black. Share now on Bluesky, Twitter, Threads, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

• Democrats raise alarms over Ghislaine Maxwell’s alleged prison special treatment

  Courier Texas’ Ricky Longoria explains the suspiciously cushy prison setup of Epstein’s primary co-conspirator. Watch now on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

• They Called Us Conspiracy Theorists. Turns Out We Were Right.

  Maurice Mitchell joins COURIER CEO and Gloves Off host Tara McGowan to discuss the modern political landscape, including how the public was encouraged to dismiss the Epstein story for years. Watch now on YouTube and Instagram.

• Is This Billionaire Epstein Associate Finally Being Held Accountable?

  Kat Tenbarge of Spitfire News reports on the details of Leon Black’s shocking appearance before the House Oversight Committee, which resulted in him being served with a subpoena. Watch now on YouTube.

• Inside Epstein’s Circle: A Survivor’s Account

  National correspondent Camaron Stevenson shares the story of Marina Lacerda, an Epstein survivor who was forced into a recruitment scheme run by his co-conspirators. Watch now on YouTube and Instagram.

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Headlines to Know

• Epstein moved millions through mysterious Virgin Islands bank right before arrest The Miami Herald, Shirsho Dasgupta, 07/06/26

• Judge cautions Melania Trump against trying to sanction journalist Michael Wolff Courthouse News Service, Erik Uebelacker, 07/01/26

• James Comer Says Oversight Will Hold Public Hearings on Epstein NOTUS, Reese Gorman and Ed Demaria, 07/01/26

• Subpoenaed materials start flowing to Epstein ‘truth commission’ Santa Fe New Mexican, Clara Bates, 07/01/26

• Warren Buffett breaks from a ‘lifetime’ pledge to the Gates Foundation as the Epstein fallout deepens Fortune, Sydney Lake, 06/30/26

• Alleged Epstein victim and Trump accuser living in fear of retaliation, relative says The Guardian, Marilyn W Thompson, 06/30/26

• Former Clinton aide appears before House panel in Epstein investigation Scripps News, Alexandra Miller, 06/30/26

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In response to a lawsuit filed by independent journalist Katie Phang, last week, a U.S. District Judge ordered the DOJ to unredact additional pages of the Epstein files that Phang’s legal team argued had been subjected to obviously unnecessary redactions. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche — who is working the Hill to gain the post permanently — conceded to being in violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and now has until July 2nd to either produce the required documents or explain why his Department isn’t following the law.

On Friday, billionaire Leon Black appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a closed-door, voluntary interview about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Black knew Epstein personally for years and ultimately bankrolled him, paying him over $170 million dollars for “purported tax and estate planning advice,” as detailed in an investigation by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden. According to people present at the interview, Black read a brief opening statement denying any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and then resisted answering questions. When pressed on Non-Disclosure Agreements involving several different women, he abruptly stormed out. In response, Chairman James Comer issued two subpoenas requiring Black to return, produce any NDAs he was involved in, and testify under oath. The move marks a significant escalation, particularly because the Republican-led committee has repeatedly allowed other interviewees to evade questions and make misleading or false statements without consequence.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Federal judge orders DOJ to unredact Epstein files or explain what it’s hiding

  Mason of One Hand Politics breaks down the specifics of a federal judge’s order for Blanche’s DOJ. Watch now on YouTube and TikTok.

• Congress subpoenas Leon Black after refusing questions about Epstein

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson was outside the House Oversight Committee on Friday to break the news of Chairman Comer’s decision to subpoena Leon Black. Share on TikTok, Facebook, Threads & Instagram.

• Timeline: Epstein’s 30-year friendship with Wall Street billionaire Leon Black

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson maps out the details of Epstein’s decades-long relationship with Leon Black. Share on Substack, Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram & Threads.

• Trump’s Oldest Friend is Silencing Epstein Reporters. Why?

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson looks into Paolo Zampolli’s efforts to silence dissenting voices online. Share on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube.

• The Billionaire and the Recruiters

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth look into the stories of Irina Chernova and Victoria Housez, two Epstein recruiters and Leon Black associates. Share on Substack, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, BlueSky & Twitter.

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Headlines to Know

• Todd Blanche ‘conceded’ violating law on Epstein files, judge finds Politico, Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney, 06/25/26

• Epstein victim says Puerto Rico bank facilitated his crimes American Banker, Kate Berry, 06/26/26

• ‘Zorro Smiles’: Epstein’s girlfriend was licensed dentist in New Mexico Santa Fe New Mexican, Clara Bates, 06/26/26

• Sarah Ferguson visited Epstein twice while he was in prison The Telegraph, Poppy Wood, 06/26/26

• Wexner helped shape these Jewish leaders. Now they want a reckoning over his Epstein ties The Jewish News of Northern California, 06/26/26

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Last week, Acting AG Todd Blanche, who has been implicated in multiple aspects of the Trump administration’s cover-up, met with Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and other congressional power players in efforts to allay concerns ahead of his confirmation hearing next month. Meanwhile, Representatives Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin released a statement criticizing Blanche’s Bureau of Prisons for failing to provide an adequate explanation for Ghislaine Maxwell’s unusually cushy lockup experience. They said staff from both the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees toured Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, where Epstein’s co-conspirator is currently behind bars, but were met with resistance when seeking answers about Maxwell’s detention.

In other news, Jay Clayton’s stalled nomination for Director of National Intelligence might be back in play. Clayton has his own ties to the Epstein cover-up. He was tapped by Bondi to investigate prominent Democrats’ alleged Epstein connections and stepped in at Apollo Global Management in the midst of their Epstein fallout. And here’s a story to watch: billionaire Leon Black is scheduled to testify before House Oversight this Friday about his extensive history with Epstein.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Epstein took handwritten notes of his criminal conspiracy, survivor alleges

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson speaks with Epstein survivor Marina Lacerda about her abuse. Read on Substack, Bluesky, Facebook & Threads.

• Epstein Threatened To Spill Trump Secrets Days Before Death

  Kat Tenbarge delves into Epstein’s prison notes in which he threatened to share dirt on Trump. Watch now on YouTube.

• Hey, Teacher, Leave Those Kids Alone

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth look at the similarities between the Christian right and the Epstein class. Read on Substack, Bluesky, Threads & Twitter.

• How Kash Patel Sabotaged The Epstein Investigation

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson visits the Epstein Reading Room in D.C. Share on Instagram, Threads & Facebook.

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Headlines to Know

• Businesses with ties to Jeffrey Epstein saw norms, share prices suffer Salon, Michaela Pagel, 06/20/26

• DOJ Refusing to Release Old Epstein Emails That Could Expose Trump The New Republic, Rachel Kahn, 06/19/26

• New Mexico’s Epstein commission announces 9 more subpoenas to federal prosecutors, state agencies Source NM, Joshua Bowling, 06/18/26

• US House staff visit Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison after claims of laptop and puppy The Guardian, Anna Betts, 06/17/26

• Jeffrey Epstein’s Jailhouse Writings The New York Times Magazine, Steve Eder, Charles Homans, Jan Ransom and Michael Rothfeld, 06/16/26

• New analysis shows what’s missing from the Epstein files CBS News, Vlad Duthiers, 06/19/26

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Last week, the House Oversight Committee interviewed Lesley Groff and Bill Gates, two figures who have loomed large in the Epstein saga for years now. First up was Groff, Epstein’s longtime assistant who appeared for another of the Committee’s closed-door, unsworn interviews last Tuesday. She professed ignorance of Epstein’s crimes, despite it being very evident from the files that she had been intimately involved in her boss’s day-to-day activities. The following day, Bill Gates — whose name is mentioned nearly 3,000 times in the files — appeared before the Committee, where he stated that he, too, was unaware of the full extent of Epstein’s criminal conduct. He also claimed that the financier had tried to blackmail him into maintaining a friendship.

And in another notable development, we got our clearest glimpse yet into the chaos inside the White House last summer as public pressure mounted on the administration to release the files. According to the Times, Trump made it clear to his underlings that he wanted the scandal buried, and advisers gathered regularly in the Situation Room to strategize in what ultimately proved to be futile efforts to defuse the situation.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Epstein’s Feminist Arch-Defender

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh looks into powerhouse lawyer Kathy Ruemmler’s long, documented relationship with Epstein. Read on Substack.

• Gates, Lutnick, Wexner: Why Billionaires Don’t See Child Abuse as a Deal Breaker in Business

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson shines a light on the ultra-wealthy in Epstein’s orbit who willingly turned a blind eye to his crimes. Share on Substack, Twitter, BlueSky & Threads.

• Details on Bill Gates Epstein Connection Revealed in New Official Testimony

  Kat Tenbarge delves into Bill Gates’ appearance before the Oversight Committee. Watch now on Youtube and share on Facebook, TikTok & Instagram.

• Who IS Paolo Zampolli? Live with Bekah Day and Katie Chenoweth

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth sit down with Bekah Day to discuss Trump’s “Special Envoy” and Epstein associate Paolo Zampolli. Watch on Substack.

• Inside the Trump Team’s Panic Over the Epstein Files Cover Up

  Kat Tenbarge breaks down President Trump’s attempts at containing the Epstein scandal last summer. Watch now on Youtube and share on Facebook & Instagram.

• Rep. Yassamin Ansari: Why Congress Must Step In After DOJ Failure

  As Bill Gates appeared before House Oversight, Rep. Ansari spoke on how Epstein’s ties to powerful people facilitated his abuse. Share now on Facebook & Instagram.

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Headlines to Know

• Epstein paid Palm Beach deputy to get special treatment in jail, ex-aide says Miami Herald, Julie K. Brown, 06/15/26

• ‘She’s a gift’: How Epstein exploited his fashion world connections to reach young women CNN, Curt Devine, Isabelle Chapman & Katie Polglase, 06/13/26

• ‘Have you ever been around someone you just know is evil?’ Melinda French Gates on meeting Jeffrey Epstein, giving away billions, and her post-divorce peace The Guardian, Sophie McBain, 06/13/26

• Republicans who pushed Epstein files release see political careers upended by Trump NBC News, Melanie Zanona and Katherine Doyle, 06/11/26

• Inside the White House Freakout Over the Epstein Files The New York Times Magazine, Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan, 06/10/26

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COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

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There were two major developments last week in the push for accountability and justice on the Epstein case. At the state level, the bipartisan New Mexico Survivor’s Truth Commission announced plans to issue 14 subpoenas as part of its ongoing investigation into Zorro Ranch, the sprawling property owned by Epstein. The Commission says its subpoenas will not be directed at specific individuals, but instead at organizations, including banks, nonprofits, and law enforcement agencies involved in investigating Epstein’s crimes.

Meanwhile, back in D.C., Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden continued his follow-the-money approach to uncovering the truth and grilled Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. The exchange grew tense and the Senator doubled down by sending a letter to House Oversight sharing his findings and demanding they interview Epstein’s friend and benefactor, Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black. The House Oversight Committee has unsuccessfully requested to interview Black, whose son currently heads the Development Finance Corporation under Trump and has his own personal ties to Epstein. And in a story to keep an eye on, the committee has two major interviews scheduled this week, with both Bill Gates and Epstein’s long-term assistant, Lesley Groff slated to appear.

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Epstein’s Former Assistant Names Co-Conspirators

  Kat Tenbarge reports on the four prominent men Epstein’s longtime assistant Sarah Kellan accused of assault during her House Oversight appearance. Watch now on YouTube.

• Interlochen Bipartisan Investigation

  Gander Newsroom’s Kyle Kaminski examines legislation in Michigan aimed at investigating Epstein’s ties to Interlochen, which is currently being blocked by House Speaker Matt Hall. Share on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok.

• FBI Director killed Epstein case after review of less than 7% of investigation files

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson looks into internal communications related to FBI Director Kash Patel’s decision to abruptly halt the Epstein investigation. Share on Substack, Twitter, BlueSky & Threads.

• New Mexico Finally Issues Subpoenas For Epstein’s Secret Ranch

  Kat Tenbarge breaks down the subpoenas coming out of New Mexico in relation to its Zorro Ranch investigation. Watch now on YouTube.

• Jeff and the Red Sparrows

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth investigate the backgrounds of Svetlana Pozhidaeva and Masha Drokova, two Russian women in Epstein’s orbit. Share on Substack, Threads, Facebook & Twitter.

• How Pam Bondi is avoiding a transparent testimony on the Epstein Files

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson details the tactics used by the former Attorney General to avoid answering questions. Share on Threads, Twitter & Bluesky.

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Headlines to Know

• The Cop who Epstein Couldn’t Stop The Miami Herald, Julie K. Brown, 06/07/26

• The Hidden Figure With Close Ties to Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein The Wall Street Journal, Khadeeja Safdar and Joshua Chaffin, 06/07/26

• 6 takeaways from Pam Bondi’s Epstein interview with the House Oversight Committee MSNBC, Clarissa-Jan Lim, 06/05/26

• Sen. Ron Wyden wants to know why Leon Black paid Epstein $170 million for tax planning over 5-year period CBS News, Graham Kates and Daniel Ruetenik, 06/04/26

• Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show The Guardian, Cate Brown, 06/03/26

Join the Investigation

COURIER has partnered with ThorianAI to create a searchable database with unprecedented access to over 1.2 million files. Find something that can help further the calls for accountability? Send us a tip.

Like our coverage? Subscribe to COURIER’s YouTube and catch up on our Epstein Cover-Up playlist.

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