Today in Focus Epstein files: has Trump really been ‘absolved’? – The Latest
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Feb 2, 2026 Jonathan Freedland, columnist and Politics Weekly America host, offers political analysis of newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. He unpacks why Trump says he is 'absolved' despite repeated mentions, the scale and redactions of the release, and fresh links to high-profile figures like Prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson. The conversation focuses on implications and what may happen next.
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Documents Alone Don’t Equal Guilt
- The released Epstein files contain allegations but mainly as tip summaries that the FBI did not pursue further.
- Jonathan Freedland says that gives Donald Trump room to claim absolution despite extensive mentions of the Trumps.
Scale Of Mentions Deepens Damage
- The files link the wider Trump universe heavily to Epstein, with thousands of mentions and files referencing Trump entities.
- Freedland warns the scale of references ensures the association is politically and reputationally damaging.
Partial Releases Fuel Suspicion
- Critics distrust the release because the DOJ under Trump decided which files to publish and many pages remain withheld or redacted.
- Freedland says partial disclosure fuels conspiracy-minded observers rather than settling questions.