The one thing about the Epstein files everyone is missing.

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Millions of pages, thousands of images, and the world is still left asking one question: who will actually face justice?

On January 30, the US Justice Department (DOJ) released more than three million documents tied to its investigations into convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The tranche of files, some of which are heavily redacted, contain approximately 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.

Last week's disclosure came nearly six weeks after the DOJ, under the Trump administration, did not meet the December 19 statutory deadline to make public all the materials in its possession related to the Epstein case.

The response was immediate, as people scrutinised the pages and flooded social media with reactions spanning shock, disgust, outrage, and disbelief.

Listen: Unpacking the messy paper trail from the Epstein documents. Post continues below.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, US President Donald Trump, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Elon Musk are among just some of the high-profile figures referenced in the files in various contexts.

With thousands of pages documenting decades of allegations, it's nearly impossible to absorb the full scope of what's contained within them.

Some commentators, like retired FBI agent Steve Lazarus, have claimed this torrent of information is not accidental and is part of a deliberate chaos as cover strategy.

"This is a weaponised DOJ strategy of controlled confusion," the agent claims in a now viral video.

"They show you flight logs, emails, PG-rated photos, fragments of conversations that have been stripped of the meat. A few big names get thrown under the bus; it's just enough to feel disturbing but never enough to prove anything about the real players."

With so much information released at once, it's easy to feel lost.

Here's what you might have missed in the wake of the release — and what may come next.

Who has reacted to the documents?

Trump has pleaded for Americans to move on and insisted he's been cleared by the trove of files.

"Nothing came out about me other than it was a conspiracy against me, literally, by Epstein and other people. But I think it's time now for the country to maybe get on to something else like health care or something that people care about," Trump said.

Overnight, Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh, became the first senior royal to address the files, which showed his older brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and an unidentified female.

The files included photographs of Andrew with an unidentified woman. Image: DOJ.

Edward, who is the youngest brother of King Charles, urged people to remember the victims.

"Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is the least bit interested in that," he said, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.

"They all came here to listen to education, solving the future, but no, I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this."

Prince Edward is the first senior royal to address the latest tranche of Epstein documents. Image: Getty.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have not yet commented on the latest release of documents. However, in October 2025, Buckingham Palace announced Andrew would be publicly stripped of his titles and removed from the Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor.

In that statement, King Charles and Queen Camilla offered their support to the victims.

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement concluded.

Melinda French Gates has also spoken about the documents, which include references to her ex-husband, Bill Gates, though no charges have been filed against him.

The pair finalised their divorce in 2021.

"I think we're having a reckoning as a society, right? No girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein and whatever was going on with all of the various people around him," French Gates told NPR's Wild Card podcast.

"No girl. It's just beyond heartbreaking.

"I'm able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, 'my God, how did that happen to those girls'?

"At least for me, I've been able to move on in life, and I hope there's some justice for those now-women."

French Gates has previously said Gates' ties to Epstein was one factor that led to the end of their marriage.

Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates finalised their divorce in 2021. Image: Getty.

A spokesperson for Bill Gates has refuted allegations that have emerged in the documents.

A 2013 draft email written by Epstein, saved but not addressed or sent to Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, alleges the billionaire philanthropist had contracted a sexually transmitted infection from "Russian girls" and requested help obtaining medication.

Epstein wrote that Gates needed "drugs to deal with consequences of sex" and refers to "severe marital problems," as well as facilitating "illicit trysts with married women."

There is no evidence the email was ever sent, or that the claims are true. Gates' representatives have described the allegations as "absolutely false", "absurd" and "defamatory," saying they reflect Epstein's tendency to exaggerate or fabricate claims after relationships deteriorated. Gates has acknowledged meeting Epstein but has denied any wrongdoing.

In a joint statement, Epstein survivors and relatives of the late Virginia Giuffre warned the release could re-traumatise victims, while still falling short of delivering justice and accountability.

"Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous," it read.

"As survivors, we should never be the ones named, scrutinised, and retraumatised while Epstein's enablers continue to benefit from secrecy. This is a betrayal of the very people this process is supposed to serve."

The statement's signatories then called for more of the redacted information to be published.

"This is not over. We will not stop until the truth is fully revealed and every perpetrator is finally held accountable.

"As we have always said, this is not about politics. We hope Democrats and Republicans will stand with survivors in continuing to demand the full release of the Epstein files."

What comes next?

As people comb through the documents and calls for justice grow louder, a pressing question remains: what happens next.

There is no clear answer to this, but the fallout against individuals has begun.

Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party. Image: Getty.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is one of several high-profile UK politicians calling for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before US Congress over his dealings with Epstein.

Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to Washington, has resigned from the upper house of parliament over claims he shared confidential information with Epstein, while Sarah Ferguson's charity announced it will close after scrutiny over her friendship with Epstein intensified.

Meanwhile, in the US, Bill and Hillary Clinton have reportedly agreed to testify before the US House of Representatives on their alleged ties to the late sex offender. The former US President will appear for a deposition on February 27, while Hillary will appear the day before. The decision comes days before the House was set to vote on holding the pair in contempt of Congress.

Yet for all the headlines and high-profile scrutiny, the contrast between the sheer number of victims and the few consequences remains stark. Thousands came forward to testify against Epstein, but the only person currently behind bars in connection with his network is Ghislaine Maxwell.

The files underscore a troubling reality: power and influence often shield the guilty, while victims bear the weight of exposure. As the world watches which names emerge next and what legal actions may follow, this imbalance weighs heavily.

This comes as the public is left to grapple with both the horror of Epstein's crimes and the systems that enabled them.

Image: Getty.