A newly released tranche of emails from the estate of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sparked fresh controversy, with one cryptic exchange referencing former President Donald Trump in a way that top Democrats say raises serious questions—questions they claim are being blocked by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
At the centre of the controversy is a 2018 email from Mark Epstein, Jeffrey’s brother, in which he references Trump and asks if “Putin has the photos of Trump blowing Bubba.” The meaning of the message is unclear, though “Bubba” has been used as a nickname for former President Bill Clinton. However, Mark Epstein has since told Newsweek the term did not refer to Clinton, though he did not offer clarification.
Garcia: “This Email Raises Real Questions”
Speaking to The Advocate on Friday, Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat and the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, acknowledged the ambiguous nature of the email but said it underscores the urgent need for access to withheld DOJ records.
“That’s a very, very interesting email,” Garcia said. “Is it a joke? Is it not? Who’s he talking about? We don’t know. That’s why we need access to the full set of documents.”
The emails, obtained via subpoena from Epstein’s estate, are only part of the puzzle, Garcia argued. The DOJ is still in possession of critical materials the committee believes are being deliberately withheld.
“There’s a massive cover-up at the White House and the DOJ right now over the files,” Garcia said. “Those are the documents we need to fill in the blanks.”
Trump Responds, Calls for Clinton Probe
In an apparent response to recent revelations, Trump announced plans to direct the DOJ to investigate individuals named in Epstein’s files, including Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and others.
Garcia called the move “desperate.”
“Donald Trump is clearly panicked,” he said. “He has the power to release these files today. If he wants justice for survivors, he should act — not deflect.”
Garcia added in a public statement:
“Our Oversight investigation has Donald Trump panicked and desperate. He is trying to deflect from serious new questions we have about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The President has not explained why he won’t release the files to the American people.”
He also questioned why Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and convicted sex trafficker, was transferred to a low-security facility after reportedly speaking with Trump’s former lawyer.
Accusations of Hypocrisy Over Epstein File Transparency
Garcia condemned what he described as a political U-turn by Trump and his supporters.
“Donald Trump, JD Vance, the whole MAGA movement spent months hyping up the Epstein files, promising transparency,” Garcia said. “But when it’s time to deliver, they flip the script. Why?”
He also criticised a February media event hosted by Trump ally Pam Bondi, where right-wing influencers displayed binders supposedly containing new Epstein documents — which were later revealed to include no new material.
“You can’t build your campaign around releasing the files and then refuse to do it. People deserve answers,” Garcia said.
White House Responds
In a statement to The Advocate, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the claims outright.
“These emails prove literally nothing,” Jackson said. “Democrats and the mainstream media are using this hoax as a distraction from their losses in the government shutdown fight.”
She added,
“We won’t be distracted. The Administration is focused on fulfilling the President’s promises — including reversing Biden-era price hikes.”
As the House Oversight Committee continues to investigate, pressure is mounting for the DOJ to release the remaining Epstein records. Until then, the truth behind the cryptic references and the full scope of Trump’s relationship with Epstein remains elusive.
