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UNITED STATES ------------------------------------2216NEWS STORY

Melania Director Appears in Epstein Files, Reigniting Scrutiny Over Past Ties

Images alongside Jeffrey Epstein place Brett Ratner back under public spotlight.

American film director Brett Ratner, known for the Rush Hour franchise and more recently for the documentary Melania, has returned to the center of media attention after appearing in photographs included in the so-called Epstein Files, a collection of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The images show Ratner sitting on a couch next to financier Jeffrey Epstein and two women whose identities have been partially redacted for legal reasons. In one photo, the filmmaker has his arm around a woman while Epstein sits nearby. The pictures are undated and, on their own, do not constitute evidence of criminal conduct.

Their release is part of a broader disclosure of records linked to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while facing federal charges related to sex trafficking of minors. This latest batch of documents has renewed public interest in Epstein’s connections to figures from entertainment, politics, and business.

Ratner’s appearance in the files coincides with the recent release of Melania: 20 Days to History, a documentary focused on former First Lady Melania Trump, a project that had already sparked debate due to its editorial tone and the director’s controversial Hollywood history.

Ratner, 56, previously faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, all of which he has denied. Those accusations significantly damaged his career in the late 2010s, effectively sidelining him from major film productions for several years.

Following the circulation of the photos, Ratner addressed the issue on Piers Morgan Uncensored, stating that the image dates back roughly two decades and that the woman shown embracing him was his fiancée at the time. According to Ratner, she invited him to the gathering, and he maintains that he had no relationship with Epstein before or after that single encounter.

Despite these explanations, the director’s presence in the files has triggered mixed reactions online and among commentators, reviving broader questions about how close certain public figures were to Epstein and the true scope of his social network.

Legal experts and authorities have emphasized that appearing in the documents or photographs associated with the case does not automatically imply wrongdoing, nor does it mean an individual has been formally accused of crimes connected to Epstein’s operation. Hundreds of names appear in the files, many of whom have denied any improper involvement.

The episode once again highlights a wider debate over transparency, public accountability, and the lasting impact of the Epstein scandal, whose reach continues to touch influential personalities years after his death, amid growing demands for clarity about who interacted with him and under what circumstances.

Meanwhile, the entertainment industry is watching closely to see how this renewed scrutiny may affect Ratner’s attempt to reestablish his career, as public pressure mounts for deeper examination of past associations with Epstein.

By Heydi Bernal for Ruta Pantera on 2/2/2026 9:29:07 AM

×
References:
NDTV – Melania Documentary Director Photographed Cuddling Women With Jeffrey Epstein The Independent – Piers Morgan confronts Melania director Brett Ratner about photo with Jeffrey Epstein The Wrap – Brett Ratner denies Epstein association after files photo Sky News – Who features in Epstein files photos? Reuters – Epstein’s ties to politicians, business titans and other figures


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