The Epstein files: the fight to make the Justice Department release them

Key momentsthe most covered; every story is below

Who covered it, over timeindependent sources per week, by side

LeftCenterRight

Point at or tap a week to see its count by side.

Stories before June 28, 2026 come from archived pages, so who covered them is limited to the outlets we recovered for that period.

26% left · 61% center · 13% right of 359 independent sources among the outlets we track, across 112 stories.

Every storyoldest first

1. February 2024

   Feb 29Jeffrey Epstein grand jury records from underage girl abuse probe to be released under Florida law11 articles · 11 independent sources

   1 left, 3 center, 0 right
2. Feb 29DeSantis signs bill to release Florida grand jury's Jeffrey Epstein investigation6 articles · 5 independent sources

   1 left, 2 center, 2 right

3. June 2024

   Jun 3Jeffrey Epstein accuser sues psychiatrist Henry Jarecki for alleged rape, sex trafficking5 articles · 3 independent sources

   1 left, 2 center, 0 right

4. July 2024

   Jul 1Judge calls Jeffrey Epstein 'most infamous pedophile in American history' as he releases transcripts12 articles · 8 independent sources

   1 left, 5 center, 0 right
5. Jul 1– 2Jeffrey Epstein: Florida prosecutors knew he raped teen girls 2 years before cutting deal, transcripts show16 articles · 16 independent sources

   2 left, 3 center, 1 right

6. February 2025

   Feb 27Attorney General Pam Bondi says 'some Epstein information' will be released Thursday13 articles · 5 independent sources

   0 left, 2 center, 3 right
7. Feb 27– Mar 4AG Pam Bondi says FBI delivered 'truckload' of Epstein files after she put out hard deadline35 articles · 18 independent sources

   4 left, 4 center, 10 right
8. Feb 28No big new revelations in Justice Department's release of Jeffrey Epstein files18 articles · 11 independent sources

   2 left, 5 center, 0 right

9. April 2025

   Apr 26Virginia Giuffre, who accused Britain's Prince Andrew in Epstein sex trafficking scandal, has died76 articles · 52 independent sources

   4 left, 13 center, 8 right

10. May 2025

    May 19Patel, Bongino dismiss Epstein conspiracy theories: ‘He killed himself’6 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 1 center, 4 right

11. July 2025

    Jul 1Mystery surrounds the Jeffrey Epstein files after Bondi claims 'tens of thousands' of videos6 articles · 6 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 1 right
12. Jul 7DOJ says no evidence Jeffrey Epstein had a 'client list' or blackmailed associates15 articles · 14 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 5 right
13. Jul 7– 8Epstein ‘client list’ does not exist, DOJ, FBI conclude29 articles · 21 independent sources

    2 left, 4 center, 2 right
14. Jul 9– 16Trump says Bondi should release 'credible' Epstein files43 articles · 19 independent sources

    2 left, 7 center, 7 right
15. Jul 10GOP rep says he believes Epstein files were destroyed5 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 3 right
16. Jul 11– 12Dan Bongino weighs resigning from FBI after heated confrontation with Pam Bondi over Epstein files21 articles · 11 independent sources

    1 left, 6 center, 3 right
17. Jul 12– 13Trump defends AG Pam Bondi amid Epstein file backlash: 'Let her do her job'8 articles · 4 independent sources

    2 left, 1 center, 1 right
18. Jul 14– 17Unlikely Bedfellows: The Strange Alliance to Expose Epstein Files52 articles · 25 independent sources

    8 left, 8 center, 6 right
19. Jul 15Full list of Republicans who blocked Epstein files vote5 articles · 4 independent sources

    3 left, 1 center, 0 right
20. Jul 15– 16Pam Bondi dodges questions on Epstein and Bongino amid Justice Department turmoil12 articles · 9 independent sources

    2 left, 3 center, 0 right
21. Jul 16– 17Trump won't recommend special counsel in Epstein investigation, spokeswoman says12 articles · 11 independent sources

    4 left, 3 center, 3 right
22. Jul 18Trump AG Bondi to seek release of Jeffrey Epstein case grand jury transcripts31 articles · 15 independent sources

    2 left, 8 center, 3 right
23. Jul 18Under pressure, House Republicans consider vote on Epstein file10 articles · 9 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
24. Jul 18– 21Request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts likely to disappoint, ex-prosecutors say51 articles · 32 independent sources

    7 left, 12 center, 8 right
25. Jul 21– 24Judge denies DOJ request to unseal Jeffrey Epstein grand jury transcripts in Florida56 articles · 35 independent sources

    7 left, 12 center, 8 right
26. Jul 21– 23Johnson shuts door on House vote before September on releasing Epstein files21 articles · 18 independent sources

    6 left, 6 center, 4 right
27. Jul 23– 24House subcommittee votes to subpoena Justice Department for Epstein files29 articles · 25 independent sources

    3 left, 11 center, 4 right
28. Jul 24– 31Senate Democrats try to force release of Epstein files with little-known law14 articles · 10 independent sources

    5 left, 3 center, 1 right
29. Jul 30Epstein, Maxwell grand juries heard testimony from just 2 witnesses: DOJ21 articles · 15 independent sources

    2 left, 5 center, 3 right

30. August 2025

    Aug 1Epstein abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre wanted files released, family says10 articles · 5 independent sources

    1 left, 1 center, 1 right
31. Aug 5– 8DOJ seeks to unseal exhibits from grand jury probes into Epstein, Maxwell10 articles · 6 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 2 right
32. Aug 5– 6Top Trump officials will discuss Epstein strategy at Wednesday dinner hosted by Vance13 articles · 6 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 2 right
33. Aug 11Epstein files latest: Judge denies request to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell transcripts52 articles · 34 independent sources

    6 left, 13 center, 6 right
34. Aug 18– 22Congress to receive first batch of Epstein files from DOJ on Friday26 articles · 16 independent sources

    2 left, 6 center, 6 right
35. Aug 20– 21Judge denies Justice Department request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts53 articles · 31 independent sources

    2 left, 10 center, 5 right
36. Aug 24– 25Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre's memoir will be published months after her death20 articles · 12 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 1 right

37. September 2025

    Sep 2– 3Efforts pick up in Congress to force vote on release of Jeffrey Epstein files8 articles · 5 independent sources

    2 left, 3 center, 0 right
38. Sep 2GOP Rep. Thomas Massie takes first step to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files6 articles · 6 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 1 right
39. Sep 2– 3Thousands of Epstein-related records from DOJ released, Oversight Committee says9 articles · 2 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 0 right
40. Sep 3Epstein survivors implore Congress to act as push for disclosure builds10 articles · 10 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 0 right
41. Sep 3Epstein Victims Push Back Against Trump’s ‘Hoax’ Label5 articles · 5 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 1 right
42. Sep 10– 11Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files13 articles · 12 independent sources

    5 left, 2 center, 2 right
43. Sep 26Epstein files: Latest documents mention Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, Prince Andrew9 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 2 right

44. October 2025

    Oct 20Virginia Giuffre thought she might ‘die a sex slave’ at hands of Epstein and his circle, posthumous memoir reveals8 articles · 8 independent sources

    0 left, 2 center, 1 right

45. November 2025

    Nov 12– 13Epstein discharge petition picks up decisive signature in the House8 articles · 8 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 2 right
46. Nov 12– 13Mike Johnson says House will vote on releasing Epstein files next week8 articles · 8 independent sources

    2 left, 4 center, 0 right
47. Nov 12– 13New Jeffrey Epstein files rekindle an old Trump political problem6 articles · 6 independent sources

    3 left, 1 center, 1 right
48. Nov 12– 13Adelita Grijalva sworn in as House's newest member, paving way for Epstein files vote17 articles · 11 independent sources

    4 left, 2 center, 3 right
49. Nov 13– 18The prospect of an embarrassing defeat convinced Trump to reverse course on Epstein files159 articles · 65 independent sources

    16 left, 23 center, 16 right
50. Nov 14– 15At Trump’s urging, Bondi says US will investigate Epstein’s ties to Clinton and other political foes35 articles · 24 independent sources

    2 left, 8 center, 5 right
51. Nov 14Trump says he will ask DOJ to investigate Democrats, business leaders with ties to Epstein30 articles · 19 independent sources

    3 left, 7 center, 6 right
52. Nov 17– 20Trump signs bill to release the Epstein files373 articles · 99 independent sources

    26 left, 55 center, 21 right
53. Nov 17– 18Epstein files vote: Here's who voted against releasing the Epstein files22 articles · 9 independent sources

    2 left, 4 center, 2 right
54. Nov 18Saudi leader to discuss these deals with Trump. And, House votes on Epstein files today12 articles · 5 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 0 right
55. Nov 24– 25DOJ renews bid to unseal Epstein, Ghislaine grand jury transcripts24 articles · 15 independent sources

    0 left, 7 center, 3 right

56. December 2025

    Dec 5– 6Florida judge orders release of grand jury transcripts from abandoned Epstein investigation52 articles · 33 independent sources

    6 left, 9 center, 10 right
57. Dec 6– 9Judge orders release of Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury records, warns no new information ‘of any consequence’11 articles · 11 independent sources

    3 left, 1 center, 7 right
58. Dec 6– 10Justice Department can unseal records from Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case, judge says78 articles · 36 independent sources

    6 left, 17 center, 7 right
59. Dec 12– 13New photos from Epstein's estate show Trump, Bill Clinton and more81 articles · 43 independent sources

    9 left, 12 center, 4 right
60. Dec 17– 25DOJ to delay release of Epstein files despite Dec. 19 deadline set by Congress - Boston News, Weather, Sports42 articles · 31 independent sources

    7 left, 10 center, 5 right
61. Dec 17– 20Justice Department faces deadline to release Epstein files - Boston News, Weather, Sports58 articles · 35 independent sources

    9 left, 15 center, 5 right
62. Dec 19– 23Trump calls release of photos of Clinton and others in Epstein files "a terrible thing"43 articles · 33 independent sources

    5 left, 7 center, 11 right
63. Dec 19– 25DOJ releases new Epstein case files89 articles · 39 independent sources

    7 left, 18 center, 6 right
64. Dec 20– 21Some Epstein files released Friday disappear from DOJ website118 articles · 46 independent sources

    12 left, 18 center, 8 right
65. Dec 20– 22DOJ Restores Image of Trump to Epstein Files Website After Backlash18 articles · 12 independent sources

    4 left, 3 center, 4 right
66. Dec 20Photos of Bill Clinton feature prominently in first batch of newly released Epstein files7 articles · 7 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 0 right
67. Dec 22Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urges legal action over DOJ's release of the Epstein files19 articles · 13 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 2 right
68. Dec 31– Jan 1Department of Justice is reviewing more than 5.2 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein22 articles · 14 independent sources

    3 left, 3 center, 1 right

69. January 2026

    Jan 6Epstein files: 2 million records in various stages of review, DOJ says26 articles · 18 independent sources

    2 left, 7 center, 3 right
70. Jan 21Judge rules against lawmakers pressing for monitor to ensure release of Epstein files6 articles · 6 independent sources

    0 left, 1 center, 2 right
71. Jan 27TikTok investigating why some users can't write "Epstein" in messages6 articles · 6 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 1 right
72. Jan 30– 31DOJ releasing 3 million pages of Epstein files, deputy AG says | LIVE31 articles · 19 independent sources

    8 left, 5 center, 4 right
73. Jan 30– 31Justice Department releases largest batch yet of Epstein documents, says it totals 3 million pages56 articles · 29 independent sources

    5 left, 12 center, 4 right
74. Jan 30– 31Justice Department ends Epstein review with big document release5 articles · 5 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 1 right

75. February 2026

    Feb 1– 3Epstein files latest: Victims complain of death threats as government says it's fixing redactions32 articles · 15 independent sources

    2 left, 8 center, 0 right
76. Feb 2– 6Latest release of Epstein files puts spotlight on prominent names12 articles · 8 independent sources

    4 left, 3 center, 1 right
77. Feb 7Justice Department will allow lawmakers to see unredacted versions of released Epstein files10 articles · 6 independent sources

    0 left, 1 center, 1 right
78. Feb 8– 9FBI concluded Epstein wasn’t running sex trafficking ring for powerful men, files show19 articles · 14 independent sources

    1 left, 4 center, 2 right
79. Feb 9– 10Republican congressman says Epstein files ‘likely incriminated’ six more men5 articles · 5 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 1 right
80. Feb 10– 11Rep. Khanna names 6 men he says were redacted from Epstein files for "no apparent reason"; DOJ says some had no Epstein ties6 articles · 5 independent sources

    1 left, 1 center, 2 right
81. Feb 11– 12Bondi faces heated questions on handling of Epstein files at House hearing52 articles · 29 independent sources

    5 left, 10 center, 3 right
82. Feb 15Bondi announces ‘all’ Epstein files have been released with over 300 high-profile names unveiled5 articles · 5 independent sources

    0 left, 0 center, 4 right
83. Feb 17Hillary Clinton accuses Trump administration of Epstein files cover-up – US politics live5 articles · 4 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
84. Feb 20Epstein estate reaches settlement of up to $35 million with survivors10 articles · 10 independent sources

    2 left, 1 center, 3 right
85. Feb 24– 26Top House Dem wants Justice Department to explain missing Trump-related Epstein files21 articles · 15 independent sources

    4 left, 4 center, 1 right
86. Feb 25– 26DOJ probes whether any Epstein files about Trump were wrongly withheld55 articles · 26 independent sources

    7 left, 10 center, 3 right

87. March 2026

    Mar 11– 12Hacker accessed FBI server that included Epstein files in 2023, files suggest13 articles · 8 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 3 right
88. Mar 16Bank of America settles lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Epstein victims7 articles · 7 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 2 right
89. Mar 19Democrats storm out of Justice Department leaders' briefing on the Epstein files11 articles · 11 independent sources

    3 left, 3 center, 0 right
90. Mar 27Epstein survivors sue Trump administration and Google over release of private information14 articles · 11 independent sources

    0 left, 3 center, 0 right
91. Mar 28Epstein victims to get $72.5 million from Bank of America18 articles · 9 independent sources

    1 left, 3 center, 2 right

92. April 2026

    Apr 2– 3Trump fires Pam Bondi as attorney general111 articles · 61 independent sources

    10 left, 26 center, 6 right
93. Apr 2– 3Trump has discussed firing Pam Bondi, media reports say25 articles · 20 independent sources

    8 left, 2 center, 8 right
94. Apr 23Justice Department watchdog launches probe into compliance with Epstein files law15 articles · 15 independent sources

    1 left, 6 center, 2 right
95. Apr 30– May 1Why Jeffrey Epstein’s purported suicide note is still being kept secret: ‘Time to say goodbye’6 articles · 6 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 2 right

96. May 2026

    May 7Judge releases note that cellmate says he found after Jeffrey Epstein's suspected suicide try17 articles · 13 independent sources

    0 left, 5 center, 2 right
97. May 7– 8Epstein’s purported suicide note unsealed by judge: Read the full text48 articles · 31 independent sources

    10 left, 9 center, 6 right

98. June 2026

    Jun 4Lawmakers ask DOJ to probe additional alleged abusers named by ex-Epstein assistant8 articles · 3 independent sources

    1 left, 2 center, 0 right
99. Jun 26Judge orders DOJ to turn over some unredacted Epstein files9 articles · 6 independent sources

    2 left, 2 center, 2 right

100. July 2026

     Jul 3Justice Department defends decision not to release, unredact more Epstein files3 articles · 3 independent sources

     0 left, 1 center, 0 right
101. Jul 15– 17Vance says Trump administration 'screwed up' communications around Epstein files44 articles · 41 independent sources

     3 left, 6 center, 7 right
102. Jul 16– 18Blanche meets with Epstein accusers after demand from Republican senator crucial to confirmation64 articles · 44 independent sources

     9 left, 11 center, 9 right
103. Jul 18– 22Epstein survivor criticizes Blanche, calls meeting 'a performative move'6 articles · 6 independent sources

     2 left, 1 center, 3 right

104. August 2026

     Aug 13– 15Epstein judge: ‘The public has a right to know what the hell is going on’20 articles · 17 independent sources

     2 left, 5 center, 0 right
105. Aug 13– 16Lawsuit reveals Playboy’s Hugh Hefner contacted FBI about Epstein5 articles · 4 independent sources

     1 left, 1 center, 2 right
106. Aug 27– 28Court approves Bank of America's $73M settlement with Epstein victims7 articles · 7 independent sources

     2 left, 3 center, 2 right

107. September 2026

     Sep 4Fake RNC midterm convention website redirects to DOJ Epstein files6 articles · 2 independent sources

     0 left, 1 center, 0 right
108. Sep 4– 7Fake Republican midterm convention site still redirects to Epstein files5 articles · 5 independent sources

     1 left, 2 center, 1 right
109. Sep 16– 17Florida woman pleads guilty to defrauding fund for Jeffrey Epstein victims11 articles · 10 independent sources

     2 left, 1 center, 0 right
110. Sep 17– 18Blanche warned of contempt risk in Epstein files case5 articles · 4 independent sources

     2 left, 2 center, 0 right
111. Sep 21– 23Rosie O'Donnell to Release Epstein Victims Interview Series After ABC Rejected Her Segment on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'3 articles · 3 independent sources

     1 left, 0 center, 1 right
112. Sep 23Fed probing executors of Jeffrey Epstein estate: WSJ4 articles · 4 independent sources

     1 left, 1 center, 2 right