The latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein files, released by the U.S. Department of Justice on December 19, 2025, has unexpectedly drawn First Lady Melania Trump back into the long-shadowed Epstein scandal—not through new allegations against her or President Trump, but via her choice of director for an upcoming high-profile documentary. Among the thousands of documents and photographs unsealed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, one undated image shows disgraced Hollywood director Brett Ratner posing intimately with Jean-Luc Brunel, a longtime Epstein associate accused of supplying underage girls to the convicted sex offender.
Ratner, known for blockbuster hits like the Rush Hour series, is directing Melania, a $40 million Amazon MGM Studios documentary chronicling the First Lady’s activities in the 20 days leading up to President Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. The film, Melania Trump’s first major production venture through her own company, promises exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of private conversations, White House transitions, and personal moments. Trailers released earlier this month highlight Melania’s poised demeanor amid the chaos of political return, but the project’s timing now coincides with renewed scrutiny over Epstein connections.
The photo in question depicts Ratner embracing a shirtless Brunel in a dimly lit setting, with no provided context on date or location. Brunel, a French modeling agent who founded MC2 Model Management with Epstein’s funding, faced charges in France for raping minors and trafficking them for sexual exploitation before his suicide in a Paris jail cell in 2022. He was named in multiple victim testimonies, including those from Virginia Giuffre, as a key figure in Epstein’s network. The image’s release has reignited questions about lingering ties to Epstein’s circle, especially given Ratner’s own controversial past.
Ratner has been largely sidelined from Hollywood since 2017, when multiple women, including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, accused him of sexual harassment and assault—allegations he has denied. Warner Bros. severed ties with his production company that year, and he has not directed a major feature since 2014’s Hercules. Reports suggest President Trump personally lobbied studios to revive Ratner’s career, paving the way for Rush Hour 4 and this documentary. Melania, a former model herself, reportedly admired Ratner’s work and viewed his “cancellation” as no barrier.
The Epstein files also include well-known photos of Donald and Melania Trump socializing with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the early 2000s, as well as images of other celebrities like Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, and Michael Jackson. One briefly removed (and later restored) file showed a drawer in Epstein’s home containing a picture of the Trumps with Epstein and Maxwell. However, no new accusations emerge against the Trumps, who have long maintained they distanced themselves from Epstein after learning of his behavior.
Critics, including commentators on The View, have questioned the optics of partnering with Ratner amid his history and this fresh Epstein link. Supporters argue the photo proves nothing beyond association, common in elite social circles. As Melania prepares for a limited theatrical release in January 2026, the unsealed documents have amplified public intrigue, turning what was meant as a polished portrait of the enigmatic First Lady into a flashpoint for debates over accountability, redemption, and the enduring reach of Epstein’s tainted legacy.
In an era of relentless scrutiny, Melania Trump’s rare foray into the spotlight now carries unintended baggage, highlighting how old networks continue to surface in unexpected ways.
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