Politicians involved with Jeffrey Epstein: Donald Trump, Bill Clinton (2026)

We’ve seen the headlines: Bill Clinton on the Lolita Express flight logs, Donald Trump pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell, William Barr in Epstein’s little black book. The connections between some of the top political figures in the US and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are definitely too close for comfort.

But exactly what politicians have connections to Jeffrey Epstein? Sure, we know the big names like former US president Bill Clinton, and current US President Donald Trump. Were there any other cabinet members, senators, or lobbyists that found themselves a spot on Epstein Island, or got their number in Epstein’s black book?

It’s time to dive into all the political figures that Epstein at one point or another had regular contact with. And spoiler alert: it’s a lot longer than you probably think it is because the man had connections everywhere.

Bill Clinton

Obvious, but still needs to be stated. Bill Clinton was a very close friend of Epstein’s back in the day, constantly attending fundraisers and going on international trips with the mogul. None that we know of while he was president, but it’s still important to acknowledge the power and out of office president can still have.

While he does appear on the Lolita Express logs, he technically is never shown flying to Little St. James, or Epstein Island. He flew to multiple other cities with Epstein aboard his private jet, and even took a trip to Africa, but never to the Caribbean. He has allegedly had interactions with some of Epstein’s victims, though Clinton denies knowing anything about the sex trafficking activities.

Donald Trump

The current US president was in similar circles as Epstein back in the day, so it’s no surprise Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump became close. Epstein spent a good amount of time at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, and allegedly would recruit girls for his sex trafficking circle from Trump’s employees.

While Trump’s contact info was in the little black book, it seemed more casual than anything else. Trump never flew on Epstein’s plane, and there’s no connection to the president being on Epstein’s island at all.

William Barr

A big name involved in the federal investigations of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Barr actually was part of the legal council that represented Epstein during his 2007 sexual assault case. Barr has famously chosen to recuse himself from the investigation into the 2007 case, but not the other investigations.

On top of serving as his legal council, his father helped Epstein get a job teaching at the Dalton School in NYC, when Epstein was a college dropout with no teaching experience whatsoever.

Alan Dershowitz

The high-power attorney most recently represented Trump during his impeachment hearings, but he’s also represented Epstein during his 2007 case. Even defending Epstein and Maxwell to this day, Dershowitz has been named as one of the abusers for several of Epstein’s victims.

Chuck Schumer, George H. W. Bush, Stacey Placket

These three are on this list solely because they at one point or another received donation money from Epstein for their campaigns. There is no known connection between the three and Epstein outside of that, but it’s worth noting that all three had help getting elected thanks in part to Epstein’s money.

Epstein’s Rolodex Revisited: Who’s Still Sweating, Who’s Still Silent?

Remember when the Jeffrey Epstein scandal first detonated across headlines, and suddenly, every A-list politician and power broker was scrambling to explain away their “casual” connections? Film Daily’s deep dive from a few years back mapped out the who’s-who of Epstein’s infamous orbit. Now, in 2025, the dust hasn’t settled—it’s just gotten thicker.

Let’s be clear: Epstein may be dead, but the questions about his powerful friends are very much alive. The world’s most notorious black book keeps leaking names, and the public’s appetite for truth (and a little schadenfreude) hasn’t faded. So, who’s still sweating? Who’s still stonewalling? And what’s changed since our last exposé?

A Political Hangover That Won’t Quit

The big names haven’t gone anywhere. Bill Clinton’s denials remain as smooth as ever, though new flight logs and photos keep surfacing, each one fueling fresh conspiracy theories and late-night monologues. Donald Trump, too, keeps getting name-checked—not just for his Mar-a-Lago run-ins, but for that now-infamous quote about Epstein’s taste in women. Both ex-presidents continue to insist they knew nothing, saw nothing, did nothing. The internet, predictably, isn’t convinced.

Prince Andrew? Still the royal family’s PR migraine. Despite settling the Virginia Giuffre lawsuit, his reputation stays radioactive. He’s kept a low profile, but British tabloids won’t let this one die. Every time a new document drops, the memes and headlines come roaring back: “Sleep with your dream queen?” Not if you’re the Duke of York.

Other political figures—Ehud Barak, Bill Richardson, George Mitchell—are still trying to shake off the stench. They’ve all denied wrongdoing, but their names keep popping up in court filings and investigative podcasts. The message: proximity to Epstein is a stain that doesn’t wash out.

The List Keeps Growing (and Glowing)

What’s changed since our last article? More names. More receipts. Unsealed court documents and Maxwell’s trial testimony have added fresh fuel to the fire. Address books, emails, and call logs have introduced new characters to the cast—some famous, some obscure, all sweating under the spotlight.

But let’s not get it twisted: being in Epstein’s Rolodex isn’t a crime. It’s the silence, the evasions, and the collective shrug from so many in power that keeps this story alive. The public wants answers. The powerful want amnesia.

Hollywood’s Complicity: Still a Blind Spot

If you thought Hollywood would lead the charge for transparency, think again. Epstein’s parties were a who’s-who of actors, producers, and media moguls. Yet, even as the #MeToo era produced a reckoning, the Epstein case remains the elephant in the screening room. Why? Maybe because too many people still have too much to lose.

Why We’re Still Obsessed

The Epstein saga endures because it’s about more than one man’s monstrous crimes. It’s about the systems that protect the powerful and silence the vulnerable. It’s about the stories that get buried—until they don’t.

For filmmakers, journalists, and anyone who cares about the truth, the lesson is clear: keep digging. Shine a light, even if it burns.

Five years on, the Epstein story isn’t old news—it’s unfinished business. The list of politicians and power players keeps growing, and the world is still waiting for real accountability. Until then, we’ll keep watching, questioning, and refusing to look away.

The Names so Far

Politicians & Royals

Bill Clinton (Former U.S. President)
Donald Trump (Former U.S. President)
Prince Andrew, Duke of York (British Royal)
Ehud Barak (Former Prime Minister of Israel)
Bill Richardson (Former Governor of New Mexico, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.)
George Mitchell (Former U.S. Senator, U.S. Special Envoy)
John Kerry (Former U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Senator; listed in address book)
Al Gore (Former U.S. Vice President; listed in address book)

Other Powerful Figures & Donors

Les Wexner (Billionaire, L Brands founder, major political donor)
Jean-Luc Brunel (French modeling agent with political connections)

Academics, Business, and Media

Larry Summers (Former U.S. Treasury Secretary, Harvard President)
Alan Dershowitz (Lawyer, Harvard Law professor; named in legal filings, denies wrongdoing)
Woody Allen (Filmmaker; social acquaintance)
Mort Zuckerman (Publisher, billionaire)
Glenn Dubin (Hedge fund billionaire; named in legal filings, denies wrongdoing)

Celebrities/Notables (sometimes traveling with politicians)

Kevin Spacey (Actor; flew on Epstein’s jet with Clinton)
Chris Tucker (Actor; flew on Epstein’s jet with Clinton)

Epstein’s Inner Circle

Ghislaine Maxwell (Socialite, convicted for trafficking)
Sarah Kellen, Nadia Marcinkova, Lesley Groff (Epstein associates/assistants)

What could happen legally to those named?

The so-called “Epstein lists”—records, logs, or documents allegedly naming individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein—have been the subject of intense speculation and public scrutiny. The potential legal repercussions for anyone named in these lists are serious and multifaceted, depending on the nature of their involvement, the evidence available, and the jurisdictions involved.

1. Criminal Investigation and Prosecution

The most immediate risk for anyone named is being swept into criminal investigations. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and state prosecutors, may review the lists as part of ongoing or future probes into Epstein’s network. If credible evidence links a named individual to illegal activity—such as sex trafficking, sexual abuse, conspiracy, or obstruction of justice—they could face formal charges. Even without direct evidence, being named may trigger subpoenas, interviews, or surveillance as authorities seek to build a case.

2. Civil Lawsuits

Beyond criminal prosecution, civil litigation is a substantial risk. Survivors of Epstein’s alleged crimes have already filed lawsuits against his estate and associates. Anyone named in the lists could become a defendant in civil suits alleging sexual abuse, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or negligence. The standard of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal court, so even those not charged criminally could face significant financial liability and reputational damage.

3. Public Disclosure and Defamation

If the lists are made public (in court, by journalists, or via leaks), named individuals may suffer damage to their reputations, regardless of actual guilt. While public exposure is not itself a legal penalty, it can lead to loss of employment, severed business relationships, and social ostracism. Some may try to pursue defamation claims if they believe they’ve been falsely implicated, but these cases are challenging—especially for public figures, who must prove “actual malice.”

4. Subpoenas and Testimony

Being named could result in being called as a witness or even as a subject of a grand jury investigation. Individuals may be compelled to testify under oath, produce documents, or provide electronic records. Lying under oath (perjury) or destroying evidence (obstruction) are themselves separate crimes.

5. International Legal Exposure

Epstein’s alleged activities spanned multiple countries. Anyone named could face legal jeopardy not just in the U.S., but abroad, depending on the jurisdictions involved. International cooperation between law enforcement agencies means that extradition or cross-border investigations are possible.

6. Professional and Regulatory Fallout

For those in regulated professions—law, finance, medicine, politics—being named could trigger disciplinary proceedings, loss of licenses, or formal investigations by professional bodies, even in the absence of criminal charges.

7. Ongoing Legal Uncertainty

Finally, even those ultimately cleared of wrongdoing may endure years of legal uncertainty, mounting legal fees, and the stress of being associated with one of the most notorious criminal scandals of the 21st century.

Anyone named in the Epstein lists faces a spectrum of legal risks—from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits to reputational ruin and professional sanctions. The full impact depends on the facts, the evidence, and the evolving legal landscape. In a case this high-profile, no one named escapes unscathed.

Politicians involved with Jeffrey Epstein (2026 update)

By 2026, public discussion around Jeffrey Epstein has shifted away from speculation and toward documented associations, institutional failures, and accountability gaps. While Epstein himself died in federal custody in 2019, the political dimension of his network remains a subject of scrutiny—not because of proven crimes by politicians, but because of proximity, access, and the systems that enabled him to operate for decades.

It is critical to distinguish between verified contact, social association, and criminal conduct. To date, no major U.S. or international politician has been criminally convicted for participating in Epstein’s crimes. However, several high-profile political figures had documented relationships with Epstein that continue to raise ethical and political questions.

Bill Clinton
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is the most frequently cited political figure due to extensive flight records showing he traveled on Epstein’s private plane multiple times in the early 2000s. Clinton has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity and denied visiting Epstein’s private island. No evidence has emerged placing Clinton at the scene of abuse, and he has not been accused in court filings of criminal wrongdoing. Still, the volume of contact has kept his name central in public discourse.

Donald Trump
Donald Trump socialized with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in Palm Beach. Photos and interviews confirm they knew each other. Trump later stated he cut ties with Epstein and claimed he banned him from Mar-a-Lago. Trump has not been accused of involvement in Epstein’s crimes, and no flight records show him traveling on Epstein’s aircraft. His association is generally viewed as social rather than operational.

Prince Andrew (UK)
While not a politician in the conventional sense, Prince Andrew remains one of the most consequential political-adjacent figures connected to Epstein. His 2022 civil settlement with Virginia Giuffre—without an admission of guilt—cemented Epstein’s impact on global political institutions. By 2026, Andrew remains removed from public duties, serving as a cautionary example of how proximity alone can destroy institutional credibility.

Other U.S. political figures
Several former senators, governors, and party donors appear in Epstein’s contact books or social records, including individuals such as George Mitchell and Bill Richardson. Both men denied wrongdoing before their deaths, and neither was charged. Their names surfaced largely through unsealed documents that demonstrated contact but did not establish criminal behavior. These disclosures reinforced the extent to which Epstein embedded himself in elite political and diplomatic circles.

International connections
Epstein cultivated relationships with foreign officials, diplomats, and royalty, often positioning himself as a financier or fixer. In Europe and the Middle East, these connections were typically informal and social. No foreign head of state has been charged in connection with Epstein, but multiple governments faced criticism for failing to investigate allegations thoroughly when victims first came forward.

The role of political institutions
By 2026, the focus has expanded beyond individuals to systems. Prosecutorial discretion, non-prosecution agreements, and jurisdictional fragmentation allowed Epstein to avoid serious consequences for years. The 2008 plea deal in Florida—now widely regarded as a catastrophic failure of justice—remains the clearest example of institutional protection outweighing victim protection.

What changed after the document releases
The unsealing of civil court documents between 2023 and 2024 fueled renewed attention but did not produce criminal indictments of politicians. Many names appeared because Epstein deliberately collected contacts as a form of social leverage. Investigators and journalists increasingly emphasize that Epstein’s power derived less from kompromat than from society’s deference to wealth and status.

Where things stand in 2026
The Epstein case has become a reference point for conversations about elite accountability rather than an active criminal investigation into politicians. Legislative reforms around trafficking, victim compensation, and sealed plea agreements have advanced in several countries, though unevenly. For the public, Epstein remains symbolic of how political access can insulate wrongdoing—without requiring politicians themselves to be perpetrators.

The lasting question is not who attended which dinner or boarded which plane, but why credible warnings were ignored for so long. Epstein’s political significance lies less in proven guilt and more in what his unchecked access revealed about power, silence, and institutional failure.