The newly public photos arrived as part of a broader compilation of video clips highlighted during Thursday’s ABC News Live stream. Earlier in the program, the network featured:
- A live forecast tracking additional rain for the Pacific Northwest, with meteorologists warning of more flooding concerns.
- A report on potentially life-threatening temperatures moving through the Midwest, stressing the risks of frostbite and hypothermia.
- An update on projected weekend snowfall expected to affect millions of residents across multiple U.S. regions.
- Footage of emergency evacuations in Burlington, Washington, where catastrophic flooding forced the entire city to empty out.
- Video of flames erupting from a cargo plane’s engine during an emergency landing, prompting a federal investigation.
- Coverage of a chemical attack in Savannah, Georgia, that left a woman with burn injuries.
Later segments shifted away from hard news, including a 21-minute feature titled “Daddy Yankee: A Higher Note” and several episodes of the interview series “All Access With Linsey Davis,” spotlighting public figures such as musician Stevie Van Zandt and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. The stream concluded with installments of the documentary strand “Impact X Nightline,” which examined topics ranging from environmental tipping points to fast-fashion supply chains.
The Epstein photo release, however, drew the most immediate public attention. Images shown on screen included:
- A picture of Donald Trump standing alongside Epstein at an unidentified social event.
- A separate image of Bill Clinton in the financier’s company in a different setting.
- A photograph capturing Woody Allen in what appeared to be a private gathering also attended by Epstein.
ABC News Live did not specify the dates or exact locations of the photographs, and no additional background was offered regarding the circumstances in which they were taken. Democratic lawmakers indicated that the material had been retrieved from documents and electronic devices held within Epstein’s estate after his death.
Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, left behind extensive records now under review by multiple parties. A 2019 federal indictment outlined allegations that he exploited and abused minors over several years, bringing renewed scrutiny to his personal and professional associations.
During Thursday’s broadcast, network anchors reminded viewers that the appearance of any individual in Epstein’s social photographs does not, by itself, indicate involvement in criminal activity. No additional legal action tied to the people shown was reported in the segment.
The decision by Democratic lawmakers to publicize the images follows continued calls for transparency surrounding materials seized from Epstein’s properties in New York, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While thousands of pages of court filings and personal records remain sealed, lawmakers said the photographic release met their criteria for public interest and did not conflict with ongoing legal proceedings.
The segment did not include comments from representatives for Trump, Clinton, or Allen. A spokesperson featured in the video noted that requests for reaction had been made but provided no further detail.
For viewers, the images served as a visual reminder of the broad network Epstein cultivated among entertainment, business and political elites. The release also highlighted the continuing trickle of information nearly five years after his death, showing how investigative, legislative and media efforts continue to piece together the financier’s activities.
Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live
