What’s in the Epstein Files—and Why Is Trump Panicking Now?
Missing videos, suspicious deaths, and a network of elite enablers
As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been resisting the urge to write about the Epstein files. The story has been a magnet for conspiracy theorists, opportunists, and political deflectors alike. But recent behavior from Donald Trump, his allies in Congress, and the Justice Department has pushed this scandal back into the spotlight—and piqued my curiosity.
For years, Trump has promised his MAGA followers that he would “release the Epstein files.” Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi made similar claims. But now Trump insists the files are either a “hoax” or contain “nothing important.”1 That sudden reversal alone would be suspicious—if not for what the Wall Street Journal just reported.
According to DOJ sources, senior officials informed Trump back in May that his name appears multiple times in the Epstein materials.2 3 The signs were there—but now we know what he’s been trying to hide.
I’m not a conspiracist. But I’ve compiled key facts about the people and events surrounding Epstein’s life, death, and enablers—some of which reach back to his original 2008 Florida sentencing. Many of these details are publicly known, but reviewing them together paints a clearer picture of a vast web of privilege, perversion, and impunity. I’m not asserting conclusions—but I am raising questions.
A Pattern of Suspicious Deaths
Several individuals connected to Epstein—along with Epstein himself—have died under mysterious or highly questionable circumstances. In particular, the deaths of Epstein, Jean-Luc Brunel, and Virginia Giuffre have raised alarms due to their timing and the stakes involved.
Jean-Luc Brunel – The French modeling agent and longtime Epstein associate was found hanged in his Paris jail cell in February 2022, just before his trial on rape charges. Brunel, who founded MC2 Model Management with Epstein’s financial backing, had been accused of trafficking minors for decades and went into hiding after Epstein’s death. His suicide drew immediate comparisons to Epstein’s own. 4
Mark Middleton – A former aide to President Clinton, Middleton was found dead in 2022, hanging from a tree with an extension cord around his neck and a shotgun wound to his chest. The location: a ranch 30 miles from home. Authorities called it a suicide. The public called it something else. 5
Ruslana Korshunova – A Russian model who had visited Epstein’s island, Korshunova died in June 2008 after falling from her Manhattan apartment. Her death was ruled a suicide, but friends and family were stunned. Her modeling career was thriving, and her mother openly questioned the official story. The case eerily mirrors a chilling trend of suspicious falls among Russian elites. 6
Virginia Giuffre: Silenced?
Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s most prominent accuser, was found dead at her home in Australia on April 25, 2025. Her death was ruled a suicide, though the method was not disclosed. Her family and lawyer have voiced serious doubts. 7
Giuffre had spent years fighting for survivors and exposing the global sex-trafficking network Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell operated. She accused powerful men, ncluding Prince Andrew, of sexual abuse. Her advocacy rattled elites. Now, like Epstein and Brunel, she is gone—just as pressure for accountability resurged.
Epstein’s “Suicide”: Too Many Inconsistencies
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. His brother, Mark Epstein, has never accepted that conclusion and is convinced of a cover up. His reasons include: 8
Autopsy Red Flags: Renowned and independent forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden, found three neck fractures—unusual in suicides, but common in manual strangulation. 9
Guard Negligence: Both guards were asleep or browsing the internet. They later falsified records. 10
Broken Protocol: Epstein had been on suicide watch after a July 23 incident, but was inexplicably taken off watch days later - without evaluation - and left alone in a high-risk unit. 11
Missing Cellmate: His cellmate, a former cop, was transferred out the day before Epstein died. 12
Missing Video: DOJ footage was allegedly unedited, but WIRED’s analysis showed nearly three minutes were removed via Adobe Premiere Pro editing, plus a separate 1-minute system “reset.” 13
“I’ve not seen in 50 years where that occurred in a suicidal hanging case.”
— Dr. Michael Baden, 60 Minutes interview
The Russia Connection: Kompromat?
Perhaps the most explosive allegation comes from Craig Unger’s American Kompromat: Former Palm Beach deputy sheriff John Mark Dougan, allegedly in possession of 478 Epstein investigation videos, fled to Russia and was granted asylum. The Washington Post later confirmed Dougan was working with Russian military intelligence to produce deepfakes targeting U.S. politicians.
If Putin has those tapes, the implications are enormous:
Trump’s secret meetings with Putin—no interpreter present
Trump’s repeated refusal to arm Ukraine, despite congressional approval
Trump’s veto of UN resolutions condemning Russian aggression
Trump’s silence as Russia bombards civilians daily
Could this be the real kompromat?
The Enablers: A Roster of Shame
Alex Acosta – Then-U.S. Attorney who gave Epstein his 2008 sweetheart deal. Later served in Trump’s cabinet before resigning amid backlash.
Barry Krischer – Palm Beach State Attorney who declined to prosecute Epstein seriously.
William Barr – As Trump’s AG, oversaw Epstein’s death. His father gave Epstein his first teaching job despite no degree. Barr recused himself from the case—then un-recused. 14
Alan Dershowitz – Epstein’s lawyer, accused by Giuffre of sexual abuse. Helped negotiate the NPA shielding Epstein’s co-conspirators. 15
Ken Starr – Epstein’s legal team member and Trump’s impeachment lawyer. 16
Les Wexner – Victoria’s Secret mogul who granted Epstein power of attorney and provided his Manhattan home. A republican Mega-donor.
Donald Trump – Called Epstein a “terrific guy.” Hosted him at Mar-a-Lago. Allegations exist of shared parties with young girls. Appears in numerous photos and videos with Epstein.. A disturbing birthday message recently surfaced suggesting mutual interest in underage girls.
Judge Kenneth Marra – Ruled Acosta’s deal violated victims’ rights, but imposed no remedy. 17
Pam Bondi – Trump’s AG. Promised to release Epstein files, later claimed they held “nothing.” WSJ now confirms Trump was warned of multiple appearances in the documents.
Todd Blanche – Trump’s former attorney. Set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell in prison, an unusual and deeply troubling move.
Conclusion: Why This Still Matters
We’re not just talking about a dead predator or a years-old scandal. We’re talking about a living web of power, protection, and silence—one that extends from modeling agencies to courtrooms, from Mar-a-Lago to Moscow.
The Epstein case is not over. It was never about just one man. It’s about who protected him, who feared him, and who may still be working to bury the truth.
Trump’s panic, Bondi’s denials, the missing video footage, the prison visit to Ghislaine Maxwell, and the string of suspicious deaths; these are not disconnected dots. They’re flashing red warnings.
And yet, Trump’s defenders are rewriting the rules of accountability in real time. Speaker Mike Johnson, when pressed on Trump’s ethical violations, brushed them aside by saying: “Whatever President Trump is doing is out in the open… so everybody can evaluate for themselves.” 18
By that logic, wrongdoing in plain sight isn’t wrongdoing at all—it’s just spectacle.
Is the Trump camp simply incompetent—or dangerously confident? When even a visit to a convicted trafficker in federal custody feels more like witness tampering than legal diligence, the answer becomes clear. This isn’t subtle. It’s a cover-up laid bare: Brazen in its execution and daring anyone to stop it.
We deserve the truth. And the truth deserves daylight.
Thanks for the like! I just started my SubStack, and have written 30+ articles. Please consider subscribing. It is free, and a writer needs her readers! Thanks again! ❤️❤️
Thanks for commenting Lise. I have researched this extensively, and haven’t been able to find a verified public record that Virginia Giuffre ever said or posted something to the effect of “If I die, it wasn’t suicide.”
However, due to the nature of her allegations and Epstein’s suspicious death, public concern for her safety was high, and others in similar circumstances have made such warnings. If you find a source, please share!