Epstein's emails reveal network of powerful contacts

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The latest batch from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's emails illustrates the extraordinary scope of his contacts with powerful people, ranging from a top Trump adviser to Britain's ex-prince Andrew.

The US House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on trying to force release of evidence gathered on Epstein by law enforcement over the years -- including the identities of the men suspected of participating in his alleged sex trafficking ring.

However, a slew of emails released this week has already opened new windows on the extent of Epstein's network.

These include multiple references to President Donald Trump, who is angrily calling the push for more transparency a "hoax" -- while simultaneously demanding a probe of Epstein's links to others, including former president Bill Clinton.

Documents already released by Democrats in Congress include email exchanges running from 2009 to 2019, when Epstein died in detention while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

These are just three of the prominent men -- and one woman -- found in the email threads.

Andrew, fallen prince

One exchange in the typo-strewn emails confirms that contact between Epstein and Andrew, who was stripped of his royal title in October, did not definitively end in late 2010, as his brother King Charles has stated.

As late as March 4, 2011, Epstein wrote to Andrew with several questions addressed to long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking after Epstein's death.

"Please make sure that every statement or legal letter states clearly that I am NOT involved and that I knew and know NOTHING about any of these allegations. I can't take any more of this, my end," Andrew wrote.

Two days later Epstein wrote back: "you ok? these stories are complete and utter fantasy."

Bannon, former Trump adviser

Epstein had a long email correspondence in 2018 with Steve Bannon, an adviser to Trump in his first term and a chief ideologue of the hard-right Make America Great Again movement.

That July, Epstein suggested he help Bannon spread his far-right ideas in Europe.

Epstein: "It's doable, but time-consuming, there are many leaders of countries we can organise for you to have one on ones."

"Agree 100% How do I do that???" Bannon asked.

"We can talk about at your convenience," Epstein said.

Former treasury secretary Summers

"How is life among the lucrative and louche?" asked Larry Summers, who served as treasury secretary under Barack Obama, in an email to Epstein on October 27, 2017, during Trump's first term.

"When we meet I will endeavor to mesmerize you with stories of D.C. so wild !!!" Epstein replied.

Epstein asked what people attending a conference with Summers think of Trump.

"Hard to tell. General view Donald is a clown, increasingly dangerous on foreign policy," Summers said.

Epstein in December 2018: "trump - borderline insane."

Former Obama adviser Ruemmler

Epstein also traded emails with Kathryn Ruemmler, a lawyer who served as an adviser to Obama until 2014. Their exchange began that year and ran until 2019.

"I am about to go on stage. The first part of my presentation is about Trump," Ruemmler wrote in May 2016.

"Con man, says it all," Epstein replied.

In August 2018, he wrote to her: "I know how dirty donald is. my guess is that non lawyers ny biz people have no idea."

That December Epstein wrote: "you might want to tell your dem friends that treating trump like a mafia don, ignores the fact that he has great dangerous power."