Washington: A new set of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice has unveiled connections between high-profile individuals and Jeffrey Epstein's private island, including Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Donald Trump's administration. The files, which are part of millions of documents linked to sexual assault charges against Epstein, reveal that Lutnick visited the island for lunch, contradicting his earlier claims of having severed ties with Epstein.

According to Thai News Agency, the documents also reveal an email from billionaire and former Trump advisor Elon Musk, who inquired about parties planned by Epstein, though Musk declined the invitation to visit the island. The files list various prominent figures across politics, business, and entertainment, such as President Trump, who had a longstanding friendship with Epstein before his criminal activities were exposed.

Additionally, the documents mention an email involving Kevin Warsh, nominated by Trump to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. The email, from a coordinator to Epstein, included Warsh and 42 others, such as celebrity Martha Stewart, as attendees of a Christmas party. Warsh has not commented on the email, and it remains unclear if he had any direct connection to Epstein.

The release of these documents has reignited scrutiny over Epstein's relationships with notable individuals, including former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, both of whom have denied wrongdoing and expressed regret over their associations with Epstein. President Trump has also denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, though the scandal persists as a point of contention, particularly after Trump's unfulfilled promise to release these files during his 2024 presidential campaign.