Final Epstein Files Expose New Details, Vulgar Emails, & Redaction Failures
Plus: Police Suspect Crime In Disappearance Of ‘Today’ Anchor Savannah Guthrie’s Mother
Happy Groundhog Day,
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Monday morning, signaling six more weeks of winter, according to Groundhog Day tradition. Thousands of people gather each year at Gobbler’s Knob to watch Phil search for his shadow — a tradition dating back to 1886, making this the 140th year.
Um, duh? The temperature was -1 degree at 7:30 a.m. ET around the time Phil made the call, according to AccuWeather. Of course Phil wanted to head straight back into his burrow.
Guests usually take photos with Phil after his prediction, but this year it was so cold Phil’s handlers kept him inside. A “bomb cyclone” plunged much of the East Coast into frigid temperatures and brought heavy snow to the Southeast 🥶.
Phil’s predictions are accurate about 35% of the time, according to NOAA. Staten Island Chuck is far more reliable — with over 85% accuracy since 1981. Chuck also saw his shadow. So, the two groundhogs appear to be in agreement, for what it’s worth.
Groundhogs aside, astronomical spring is still seven weeks away.
Mo News Team
🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
DOJ Releases Largest-Ever Trove of Epstein Files — No New Charges Planned
The Justice Department on Friday released its largest and final planned batch of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. More than 3 million additional pages of documents were made public, along with thousands of photos and videos.
IN THE FILES: The documents reference a wide range of prominent figures who interacted with Epstein over the years, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and longevity physician Peter Attia, among others.
The documents were a month past due according to the law, as Justice Department officials said they needed more time to redact victim information. However, lawyers representing Epstein’s victims say millions of pages were still posted without proper redactions. They asked a judge Sunday night to intervene.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said on ABC New Sunday: “Every time we hear from a victim or their lawyer that they believe that their name was not properly redacted, we immediately rectify that,” he said, adding that the errors affect “.001% of all the materials.”
INSIDE THE DOCS
Federal officials emphasized that the materials include everything from verified emails and investigative notes to many uncorroborated (sometimes false) tips that were never substantiated or verified. Here’s what we learned in the latest dump:
THE VICTIMS: The Wall Street Journal identified at least 43 victims’ names that were left unredacted, with several appearing more than 100 times in the files. Some of the victims had never publicly shared their identities or were minors at the time of the abuse.
The New York Times notes that there were also at least 40 unredacted nude photos in the files, showing young women (including their faces).
THE MEN: The release of documents show just how wide — and powerful — Epstein’s network was. Notably, many of the communications are from after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor. In 2019, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking before he died in custody that year by suicide.
Howard Lutnick previously said he cut ties with Epstein around 2005. But newly released emails suggest that Lutnick and his wife visited Epstein’s island home in 2012, four years after Epstein pleaded guilty to sex crimes involving minors. The documents include a thank-you note following the visit.
Documents include emails Epstein wrote – but never sent — making claims about Bill Gates, including that the Microsoft co-founder acquired drugs “in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls.” Gates’ spokesperson called the claims “completely false,” arguing Epstein was attempting to “entrap” or extort him.
Emails show Elon Musk expressing interest in visiting Epstein’s notorious Caribbean island in 2012 and 2013. Musk reiterated on X Sunday that he never went and claims that he pushed for the full file release knowing he would be smeared.
An image in the files shows Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — recently stripped of his royal title for his Epstein ties — kneeling over a woman whose face is redacted. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on the formal royal to testify before U.S. lawmakers about his dealings with Epstein.
President Donald Trump’s name appears in at least 4,500 documents. Trump was a longtime friend of Epstein until an alleged falling out around 2004. The files include tips the FBI received, including allegations against Trump and underage girls dating back decades — none of which were substantiated.
They also reference a 2016 “Jane Doe” rape allegation against Trump from when the accuser was 13, which was voluntarily dismissed the same year. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the DOJ on Friday said the allegations against Trump in the documents were false.
Emails from longevity doctor and Outlive author Peter Attia reference Epstein’s legal issues and include sexually explicit, graphic language. Attia, who was recently featured on “60 Minutes” and named a CBS News contributor, said he had a relationship with Epstein from 2014 to 2019. In emails between the two, Attia used explicit language about women’s bodies, referenced the secrecy around Epstein’s lifestyle, and said he has “withdrawal” when not seeing him. He responded Monday to the release. Click to read his full statement. ⬇️
More names: The documents show Google co-founder Sergey Brin visited Epstein’s private island. Emails suggest Epstein tried to connect New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch with women of specific ethnicities and discussed their bodies in vulgar ways. In a 2013 email, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson wrote to Epstein, “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who oversaw the department’s review of documents, said Sunday that the Justice Department does not plan to bring any new charges. He said the documents contain disturbing material but do not meet the legal standard for prosecution. “This review is over,” he told ABC.
Bipartisan lawmakers who helped pass legislation demanding the release are now calling for an additional release and more access to redactions.
“It is not over,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday. “And it will not be over until there is full and complete transparency as demanded by the survivors, so that there can be full and complete accountability. This is a basic premise here in the country.”
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🚨 ONE THING WE’RE TRACKING
Police Suspect Crime In Disappearance Of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother
Police believe a crime occurred at the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “TODAY” show host Savannah Guthrie, who remains missing.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Monday morning that they found evidence that shows a crime likely occurred. “She didn’t just wander off,” he said, urging the community to help, asking anyone who has seen or heard anything to call 911.
WHAT WE KNOW
Guthrie was last seen Saturday night outside her home in Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson, Arizona. She has no cognitive issues, but does suffer from physical ailments and requires medication.
Police warn that more than 24 hours without her medication could be fatal.
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
GOP faces divide on ICE reforms (THE HILL) Speaker Johnson ‘confident’ government shutdown will end by Tuesday (CNBC)
Jobs report postponed due to government shutdown (CBS)
U.S.-Iran nuclear talks planned for Friday amid military buildup (AXIOS)
Northern Arizona University student dies after fraternity rush event; 3 charged with hazing (CBS)
Trump says Kennedy Center will close for two years for renovations (NBC)
Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, and father arrive in Minneapolis after release from detention center (ABC)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Key Gaza border crossing reopens, a step forward in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire (NBC)
Son of Norway’s crown princess arrested on new charges before start of rape trial (GUARDIAN)
Trevi Fountain fee goes into effect as Rome seeks to manage tourist flow (ABC)
Death toll of Swiss New Year bar blaze rises to 41 (NPR)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Trump pushes for $12B minerals stockpile, called Project Vault (THE HILL)
Stocks, gold and silver steady following wild swings overnight (AP)
AI moves into rodeo arenas, the last major U.S. sport untouched by analytics (AXIOS)
Devon, Coterra merge to create U.S. shale giant in $58 billion deal (CNBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… The 68th Annual Grammy Awards were held on Sunday. Here are some of the night’s biggest moments:
Kendrick Lamar took home five Grammys, including Record of the Year, becoming the most-awarded rapper with 27 🏆. He broke Jay-Z’s previous record of 25.
Steven Spielberg achieved the exclusive EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status. He won a Grammy for Best Music Film as a producer of the documentary Music by John Williams — a tribute to the composer behind some of his most memorable film scores.
Bad Bunny made history as his album – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (I Should Have Taken More Photos) – won the prestigious Album of The Year Grammy. It’s the first Spanish-language album to win the award.
He made headlines for his “ICE Out” speech earlier in the night.
Next we’ll see Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. Duolingo launched a “Bad Bunny 101” to help fans learn Spanish ahead of show.