The latest release of documents concerning the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sparked controversy after a photograph surfaced linking a high-profile director to Epstein’s inner circle.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new trove of investigative materials. Included in the files is a photograph of disgraced Hollywood director Brett Ratner posing with Jean-Luc Brunel, a notorious French model agent and close Epstein associate who died by suicide in prison in 2022.
An Unexpected Link to the First Lady
The discovery has drawn intense scrutiny because Ratner is currently directing and producing the high-budget documentary “MELANIA,” which chronicles the 20 days leading up to Melania Trump’s second presidential inauguration in January 2025.
- The Photo: The image depicts a shirtless Brunel being intimately embraced by Ratner in a dimly lit setting. While the date and location of the photo remain unconfirmed, its inclusion in the DOJ’s Epstein files has raised questions about Ratner’s historical social circles.
- The Documentary: Titled MELANIA, the film is an Amazon MGM Studios project that promises an “unfiltered look” at the First Lady’s life. Melania Trump herself serves as an executive producer on the project, which reportedly commanded a $40 million licensing fee.
Context of the Epstein Files Release
The release of these documents follows the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by President Donald Trump in November 2025, which mandated the public disclosure of investigative materials by December 19.
“History is set in motion during the 20 days of my life prior to the U.S. presidential inauguration,” Melania Trump stated in the film’s promotional materials. “For the first time, global audiences are invited… to witness this pivotal chapter.”
Ongoing Controversy
Brett Ratner has faced significant professional fallout since 2017 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and assault, which he has consistently denied. MELANIA marks his first major directorial effort in over a decade.
The DOJ’s data dump, consisting of nearly 3,900 files, also includes references to other high-profile figures, though many documents remain heavily redacted, leading to criticism from some lawmakers regarding the transparency of the release.