Jeffrey Epstein prison video metadata reveals nearly 3 minutes of footage removed by FBI
The video was released last week as part of the Trump administration's investigation into Epstein's 2019 death. However, technical analysis shows the footage was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro from two video files, contradicting Justice Department claims about its unedited nature.
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FBI edited Jeffrey Epstein prison video before release
Analysis of the video's metadata shows one source clip was approximately 2 minutes and 53 seconds longer than the segment included in the final video. The footage appears to have been trimmed before public release.
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The nearly three-minute discrepancy may relate to the widely reported one-minute gap between 11:58:58 pm and 12:00:00 am that Attorney General Pam Bondi attributed to a nightly system reset.
Metadata confirms the first video file, showing footage from August 9, 2019, continued for several minutes beyond what appears in the final version. The file was trimmed to the 11:58:58 pm mark, right before the jump to midnight.
Surveillance video assembly details revealed through metadata
The metadata shows the file was created at 4:48 pm and last modified at 8:16 pm ET on May 23, 2025. The editing process occurred over more than three and a half hours, with multiple saves during assembly.
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Two clips labeled "2025-05-22 16-35-21.mp4" and "2025-05-22 21-12-48.mp4" were stitched together. The first clip runs 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 16 seconds, but only the first 4 hours, 16 minutes, and 23.368 seconds appears in the published version.
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The metadata references "MJCOLE~1," likely a shortened version of a longer username beginning with "MJCOLE." The full name cannot be determined from available metadata.
Justice Department claims video shows complete surveillance footage
The footage was released amid political tension over Epstein's death. Trump allies had speculated about disclosure of explosive new evidence, but DOJ and FBI stated no "incriminating 'client list'" exists and reaffirmed Epstein died by suicide.
In response to detailed questions about video assembly, the Department of Justice referred inquiries to the FBI. The FBI declined to comment on the metadata analysis.
Video forensics experts confirm editing occurred
The analysis was provided by an anonymous researcher and reviewed by two independent video forensics experts with over 15 years of experience in Premiere and video production. Both experts confirmed the edit occurred just before the missing minute mark.
The FBI released both "raw" and enhanced versions of the video. Both versions include internal comment markers, annotations typically used in editing software to flag moments of interest.
Metropolitan Correctional Center surveillance system limitations
According to a 2023 DOJ Office of the Inspector General report, only two cameras near the Special Housing Unit where Epstein was held were filming at the time of his death. The camera that recorded the released footage captured video of the SHU common area and parts of stairways leading to various tiers.
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Trump defends Attorney General Pam Bondi amid backlash over Epstein files
The OIG report notes the MCC's surveillance system was outdated, "had not been properly maintained," and DVR hard drives "frequently malfunctioned and needed to be replaced."
Anyone entering or attempting to access the tier containing Epstein's cell from the SHU common area would have been visible on the camera. However, Epstein's cell door was not within the camera's field of view.
Trump defends Attorney General Bondi amid criticism
President Donald Trump defended Bondi on Saturday, July 12, following criticism about the video release.
"What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein."
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