01.02.2026 08:20
The release of the Epstein files has created a shockwave around the world, while an archival footage that has emerged has also made a significant impact. The archival footage showing Donald Trump sitting on the jury panel at a beauty pageant held in 1991 has brought back to the forefront the period when Trump was in the same social circles as Jeffrey Epstein, and the foreign press points out that these images have ignited political debates.
After the U.S. Department of Justice released a large portion of the Jeffrey Epstein files to the public, discussions and new findings are emerging in the foreign press. The steps have rekindled interest in the social connections of high-profile figures, particularly Trump, with Epstein in the past.
RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS AND NEW MATERIAL
The approximately 3–3.5 million pages of files released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted during the Trump administration, include thousands of photos and videos. Although a large portion of the content remains censored, these materials provide new details about individuals connected to Epstein. Criticism is particularly focused on the incomplete release of the files and the protection of significant figures.
1991 MODEL AGENCY FOOTAGE
Among the rare footage emerging from the archives, a video of Donald Trump serving as a jury member in a modeling competition held in 1991 stands out. In this footage, Trump is seen playing a role in evaluating young models. The event in question was one of the social settings connected to Epstein's network, and this situation has resonated widely with American viewers.
Although it has long been known that Trump and Epstein circulated in the same social circles in the early 1990s, the resurfacing of such archival footage fuels the discussions. Records from an NBC video shot in Palm Beach in 1992, showing the two laughing together, are frequently shared in this context and substantiate Trump's early social contacts with Epstein.
DISCUSSION AND POLITICAL TENSION
The Trump camp argues that such materials are presented out of context and lead to misunderstandings. On the other hand, some journalists and elected officials continue to criticize, stating that the public cannot see the full picture due to the incomplete release of the files and the extent of redactions. Democratic and Republican members of Congress emphasize that the Department of Justice needs to increase transparency.
CONCLUSION: HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS CARRIED TO THE PRESENT
While analyses in the foreign press point to new images and documents regarding the relationship between Trump and Epstein, they note that these will not be considered "evidence of a crime." Nevertheless, the release of these materials has led to a deeper examination of past social connections and increased political tension. This discussion continues to resonate in terms of both U.S. domestic politics and international relations.