On December 18, 2025, Democrats on the House oversight committee released a collection of photographs from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This release coincides with a deadline for the Department of Justice (DoJ) to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of files related to Epstein, with certain exceptions.

The newly released images are undated and lack context, featuring lines from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel *Lolita* inscribed on various parts of a woman's body. One image displays text on a woman's chest, while others show similar inscriptions on her foot, neck, and spine. The release also includes photographs of notable individuals such as Bill Gates and Noam Chomsky, both of whom have previously been reported to have had interactions with Epstein. Gates has acknowledged that meeting Epstein was a significant error in judgment.

In addition to these images, the release features photographs of other public figures, including Woody Allen and Steve Bannon, although the presence of these individuals does not imply any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the New York Times clarified that columnist David Brooks attended an event to engage with business leaders, which included Epstein, but had no further contact with him.

The batch of photos also contains redacted images of foreign passports and a screenshot of a text message conversation discussing the procurement of young women, which raises further concerns about the implications of Epstein's network.

In response to the release, Robert Garcia, a U.S. representative and ranking member of the oversight committee, emphasized the need for transparency regarding the DoJ's handling of Epstein-related files. He criticized what he termed a cover-up by the White House and called for immediate release of the files.

This release follows Ghislaine Maxwell's recent legal efforts to overturn her conviction for sex trafficking, claiming that new evidence has emerged that could support her case. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence, argues that her trial was unfair due to withheld evidence and misrepresentation of facts.

Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, with his death ruled a suicide. A federal judge recently permitted the release of grand jury materials from Maxwell's case, citing the new transparency law passed by Congress.