Jeffrey Epstein and his Lolita Express

The Epstein Files have become a central subject of intense, often dark, public and political discourse in the world right now. The documents and earlier 2024 releases contain names of numerous high-profile individuals, including Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Leon Black, Ehud Barak and Bill Gates. They were reportedly linked to the most heinous crimes like child sexual abuse and child trafficking. Following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, a significant, 12,285 documents, were released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the December 19, 2025, deadline. 

In what has been released so far, the name of US President Donald Trump has appeared many times. Although so far no criminal involvement of Donald Trump has been found in these documents, the emergence of his name has made the topic most discussed in America and around the world. The fact that the deadline for the release of the rest of the documents has been missed has given rise to many new questions. Behind the Epstein Files lies a vast narrative of one of the world's biggest crimes.

We will analyze this dark narrative of the world from three perspectives:

1. Jeffrey Epstein and the Lolita Express
2. Miami Herald investigative journalist Julie Kay Brown's 'Perversion of Justice' series
3. Clinton or Trump—The Epstein Files and the Future of American Politics

Today's first episode: Jeffrey Epstein and the Lolita Express of his crimes

Jeffrey Epstein—American economist and sex offender, whose name is now a symbol of global scandal. Once a leading figure on Wall Street, his life ended tragically on charges of sex trafficking and exploitation of minors. He developed close relationships with powerful people in the world. Since his mysterious death in prison in 2019, documents and evidence related to him have gradually been released, revealing the dark sides of his life.

Jeffrey Edward Epstein was born on January 20, 1953, to a Jewish family in Brooklyn. His father, Seymour George Epstein, worked for the New York City Parks Department, and his mother, Pauline Stolofsky, was a homemaker. Raised in the Sea Gate neighborhood of Coney Island, Epstein showed an aptitude for mathematics and music from an early age. He graduated from Lafayette High School at age 16 and later attended Cooper Union and the Courant Institute at New York University, although he did not earn a degree.

In 1974, he began his career as a math and physics teacher at the Dalton School in Manhattan, although he had no formal teaching qualifications. There, he developed connections with influential parents and joined the bank Bear Stearns in 1976. There, he was quickly promoted to limited partner. In 1981, he left his job and founded his own company, Intercontinental Assets Group Inc. (IAG). He later formed J. Epstein & Company, which primarily managed the wealth of billionaires such as Leslie Wexner. His wealth is estimated to be more than $500 million. He took advantage of tax breaks by moving his company to the US Virgin Islands. He claimed to be a Harvard alumnus, but there is no evidence of this, but he donated $6.5 million there.

Epstein's social circle was very wide. He knew figures such as Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Leon Black and Bill Gates. His "black book" and flight logs record more than 600 hours of travel, which reveals his influence and prestige. However, these social connections were ultimately overshadowed by the black shadow of his crimes.

Epstein's dark past began to come to light in 2005, when Palm Beach, Florida police began investigating him for allegedly sexually abusing underage girls. More than 36 victims were identified, some as young as 14. A search of his home turned up hidden cameras, nude photos, and other sexual material.

He pleaded guilty in 2008 to a controversial plea deal and was sentenced to 18 months (of which he served only 13 months on a work release). The deal was brokered by US Attorney Alexander Acosta, who was widely criticized for its handling of the case. In 2019, he was arrested again on federal sex trafficking charges. His main accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. According to the indictment, Epstein exploited more than 1,000 underage girls.

The US Virgin Islands government sued his estate and collected a $105 million settlement. Epstein bought a 72-acre private island in 1998 for $7.95 million. The island, located in the US Virgin Islands, is called Little St James Island. It has a mansion, a guest house, a helipad and a temple, all equipped with hidden cameras. Locals called it 'Pedophile Island'. Victim Virginia Giuffre said that she and other girls were forced into sexual acts on the island. The exploitation allegedly continued until 2018. The island is set to be converted into a resort in 2025. Epstein's Boeing 727 is infamously known as the 'Lolita Express'. It was used to transport minors to the island, Palm Beach and other hideouts. Flight logs show Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew and even Stephen Hawking are also found. Although having this name does not mean being a criminal, it is evidence of Epstein's vast network.

There are serious allegations that there was a wiretapping and video recording system on the plane. The process of releasing the 'Epstein Files' began in 2024. These files are mainly documents, videos, photos and audio data collected from the federal investigation against Epstein and Maxwell. Those are stored in the FBI's 'Sentinel System'.

US President Donald Trump signed this law (HR.4405, Epstein Files Transparency Act) on November 19, 2025, which came into effect as Public Law 119-38. The law forces the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all unclassified files (except for personal information of victims and parts of active investigations). The law was required to be released within 30 days of its signing (i.e., by December 19, 2025). Although the DOJ has released part of it, it has not released all of it, which has been criticized as a violation of the law.

The total volume of the Epstein files is estimated to be more than 2 million. So far, only 12,285 documents (125,575 pages) have been released. Much of the information in the released files has been redacted.

Although Epstein died in prison on August 10, 2019, CCTV footage from 2025 indicates that it was a suicide, although conspiracy theories are still on people's lips. If this huge amount of documents is fully released, the true nature of many more charioteers and big shots behind the scenes may be known, or all the mysteries will be buried like the death of Jeffrey Epstein.

In the next episode, we will discuss—Julie K., an investigative journalist for the Miami Herald. Brown's Perversion of Justice series brings Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, which have been buried for nearly a decade, back to light, ensuring the punishment of a despicable criminal and uprooting his powerful network.

Sauren Habib, writer and journalist