Coverage dated December 19, 2025 to December 21, 2025

Trump photo removed from Epstein files reposted after review—DOJ

Headline from Newsweek, on the newest of 2 developments

The DOJ said the image was reposted after a review determined there was "no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted."

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

Dec 20, 2025
DOJ official addresses files taken down from Epstein release
Headline from Newsweek ·
Dec 21, 2025Newest
Trump photo removed from Epstein files reposted after review—DOJ
Headline from Newsweek ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

18 articles, oldest first.

Newsweek
House Democrats question disappearance of files from DOJ's Epstein website (opens Newsweek)
Published Dec 19, 2025
Newsweek's feed description
Democrats and media outlets noted around 16 files had disappeared from the DOJ website, including a photo of Donald Trump.
Newsweek
Photos: Bill Clinton seen in new Jeffrey Epstein files released by DOJ (opens Newsweek)
Published Dec 19, 2025
Newsweek's feed description
The release of the files marks a critical moment in yearslong efforts to uncover the scope and network of Jeffrey Epstein.
NBC News
Epstein files include redacted records, more photographs as Trump DOJ criticized for handling (opens NBC News)
Published Dec 19, 2025
NBC News's feed description
The Epstein files are released. Trump signed a bill in November for the DOJ to release the documents.
The Guardian
Removing photos from Epstein files release ‘nothing to do’ with Trump, deputy AG says (opens The Guardian)
Published Dec 20, 2025
The Guardian's feed description
Todd Blanche says 16 removals came at request of victim advocacy groups and says images would likely go back up
NBC News
Deputy AG says removing photos from Epstein files release has 'nothing to do' with Trump (opens NBC News)
Published Dec 20, 2025
NBC News's feed description
Deputy AG Todd Blanche on Sunday said that the Justice Department’s decision to remove over a dozen photographs on Saturday that had been released as part of the files on Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, “has nothing to do with President [Donald] Trump."
AL.com
Epstein files, including this Trump photo, disappear from DOJ website (opens AL.com)
Published Dec 20, 2025
AL.com's feed description
The Justice Department said it plans to release Jeffrey Epstein records on a rolling basis.
Newsweek
DOJ official addresses files taken down from Epstein release (opens Newsweek)
Published Dec 20, 2025
Newsweek's feed description
At least 15 files, including a photo with President Trump in it, were removed from the DOJ website following the Friday release.
Washington Examiner
DOJ removed Trump photo from Epstein files page over victim concerns: Blanche (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Dec 20, 2025
Washington Examiner's feed description
"If we need to redact faces or other information, we will, and then we'll put it back up," the deputy attorney general said.
Forbes
Justice Department Re-Releases Epstein Files Photo Showing Trump (opens Forbes)
Published Dec 20, 2025
Forbes's feed description
Many elected officials, including both Democrats and Republicans, spoke out about the limited release on Friday.
Fortune
Trump photo removed from Epstein files: DOJ official says 'victims rights groups' behind decision yet doesn't believe victims were shown (opens Fortune)
Published Dec 20, 2025
Fortune's feed description
“If we believed that photograph contained a survivor, we wouldn’t have put it up in the first place without redacting the faces,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
Newsweek
Trump photo removed from Epstein files reposted after review—DOJ (opens Newsweek)
Published Dec 21, 2025
Newsweek's feed description
The DOJ said the image was reposted after a review determined there was "no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted."
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
DOJ restores Trump photo to public database of Epstein files | Honolulu Star-Advertiser (opens Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Published Dec 21, 2025
Honolulu Star-Advertiser's feed description
NEW YORK >> A photo of President Donald Trump ‌that had been removed from the cache ‌of Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Department of Justice was restored on Sunday after officials determined none of Epstein’s victims were in the image, the department said.
The Columbian
At least 16 files vanish from DOJ webpage related to Epstein (opens The Columbian)
Published Dec 21, 2025
The Columbian's feed description
NEW YORK — At least 16 files disappeared from the Justice Department’s public webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein — including a photograph showing President Donald Trump — less than a day
Time
DOJ Restores Image of Trump to Epstein Files Website After Backlash (opens Time)
Published Dec 21, 2025
Time's feed description
The Justice Department said it pulled 15 files from its released Epstein documents to assess whether further redactions to protect victims were needed.
Fox News
DOJ restores Trump photo to Epstein files after determining no victims depicted (opens Fox News)
Published Dec 21, 2025
Fox News's feed description
President Trump photo restored to Jeffrey Epstein files after U.S. Department of Justice review determined no victims were depicted in the image, officials said Sunday.
The Guardian
Trump news at a glance: justice department restores Epstein files image featuring Trump after outcry (opens The Guardian)
Published Dec 21, 2025
The Guardian's feed description
Todd Blanche says removal of images has ‘nothing to do’ with the president, and removal of 16 photos came at request of victim advocacy groups – key US politics stories from Sunday 21 December at a glance
Washington Examiner
DOJ restores image that includes photo of Trump to Epstein files site (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Dec 21, 2025
Washington Examiner's feed description
The image, which is file "468" on the DOJ's "Epstein Library" webpage, inexplicably disappeared from the site on Saturday.
Philadelphia Inquirer
At least 16 files have disappeared from the DOJ webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)
Published Dec 21, 2025
Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description
The Justice Department did not comment on why the files, which included a photo of President Trump, were removed.