In brief
Brett Ratner, known for his direction of films like 'Rush Hour', is seen in photos with Jeffrey Epstein. These images come to light as Ratner's documentary about Melania Trump is released, stirring controversy due to his past sexual misconduct allegations. The images, part of a Justice Department release, show Ratner alongside women whose identities have been obscured, and there is no indication of wrongdoing. The documentary itself faces criticism over its ties to the Trump administration.
The director of the new documentary on US First Lady Melania Trump has appeared embracing a young woman in images released by the US Department of Justice on Friday. Brett Ratner, who also directed the Rush Hour films and X-Men: The Last Stand, can be seen sitting on a sofa beside the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and two women whose identities have been obscured.When the images were taken remains unclear, though they appear to have been taken in the same location as photos of Ratner and Epstein alongside the late French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel that were released in December.There is no indication of wrongdoing from the files. The BBC has contacted Ratner's representative for comment.The newly released images were part of a tranche of millions of files relating to the late sex offender, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. A series of thumbnails of the picture collection shows Ratner, Epstein and Brunel smiling and relaxing with different women, all of whose identities have been concealed.The files were released on the same day as 'Melania: 20 Days to History', a behind-the-scenes look at the first lady's life in the days leading up to her husband's January 2025 inauguration. The film has already suffered from a dismal reception from critics and political commentators over its ties to the Trump administration and funding. Ratner has denied allegations of sexual misconduct from the height of the #MeToo movement in 2017.
