Epstein’s Brother Claims Donald Trump Authorized His Murder

In the latest tranche of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a previously unreported claim from Mark Epstein, the younger brother of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has drawn major attention. According to a tip submitted by Mark to the FBI in 2023, he believes Epstein did not commit suicide but was murdered on the orders of President Donald Trump because Epstein was allegedly “about to name names.” Mark made this claim in a submission that became part of the public file dump.

The documents, which included roughly 8,000 new pages released on December 23, 2025, show the tip in the context of wider controversy about how Epstein died in federal custody in August 2019 — an event the government officially ruled a suicide by hanging at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.

What Mark Epstein Alleged

According to the claim, Mark wrote to the FBI that he had “reason to believe he was killed because he was about to name names” and that Trump “authorized” the killing. The suggestion ties into conspiracy theories that Epstein’s death was orchestrated to conceal information about powerful associates.

Mark Epstein’s statement aligns with his earlier, long-standing doubts about the suicide verdict — he has publicly questioned the official narrative and suggested the injuries could be more consistent with foul play, citing views from external pathologists.

Crucially, a document like this must be approached with caution: tips filed with the FBI are not evidence, and inclusion in the Epstein files does not attest to its accuracy. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies receive numerous unverified tips.

Official Rulings and DOJ Response

The New York City Chief Medical Examiner and federal authorities have maintained that Epstein’s death was a suicide by hanging, a determination upheld in official autopsy reports despite persistent speculation over guard lapses and camera failures on the night of his death.

The U.S. Department of Justice has also publicly addressed other sensational claims that surfaced in documents tied to the files. This week, the DOJ confirmed that a purported letter from Epstein referencing Trump and former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was fake, noting discrepancies in handwriting and timing that proved it was not authentic.

The DOJ has emphasised these disclosures do not constitute proof of criminal conduct by any public figure merely because their name appears in documents that include unverified claims or submissions.

Broader Context of Speculation

Despite official conclusions, speculation about Epstein’s death has persisted since 2019, partly due to security camera failures, guard lapses, and the high-profile nature of his alleged crimes and associates. Critics, including some political commentators and conspiracy theorists, have pointed to perceived irregularities, although there is no credible evidence implicating Trump or any high-level figure in a conspiracy to kill Epstein.

Mark Epstein’s claims have been repeated in media coverage and online discussions, but authorities and independent experts remind the public that extraordinary allegations require extraordinary evidence — which is not present in the released materials.

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