New revelations about magicianDavid Copperfieldare coming out ina deluge of government filesabout accused sex traffickerJeffrey Epstein.
With thehighly anticipated releaseof Justice Department files on Dec. 19, the 69-year-old acclaimed illusionist –whose name previously came upincourt documentsthatwere unsealed in January 2024– is once again linked to the disgraced financier, whodied by suicideas he was jailed while awaiting trial in 2019.
Underquestioning in 2016, Epstein replied, "Did I socialize with David Copperfield? The answer is, yes."
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's email that show Epstein with high-profile figures including Steve Bannon. Some images have had portions redacted by the Committee." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's email that show Epstein with Woody Allen. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's email, including this one showing Richard Branson, on the right." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show President Donald Trump with Epstein. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, show Bill Gates with an unidentified person. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Steve Bannon with Epstein. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Epstein with Alan Dershowitz. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Steve Bannon with Epstein." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein on Dec. 12, 2025. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
High-profile figures in Epstein's emails: See newly released images
House Democrats on the Oversight Committeereleased photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's emailthat show Epstein with high-profile figures including Steve Bannon. Some images have had portions redacted by the Committee.
Copperfield's name is brought up a number of times in the latest Epstein documents, including in adeposition transcriptfrom Epstein's lawsuit against attorney Bradley Edwards and the now-convicted fraudsterScott Rothstein.
In the document filed in January 2014, Edwards says Epstein's housekeeper previously testified that Copperfield was a guest at the convicted sex abuser's home "on several occasions" and that his name appears on "message pads confiscated from Epstein's house."
"It has been publicly reported that Copperfield himself has had allegations of sexual misconduct made against him by women claiming he sexually abused them," he adds, "and one of Epstein's sexual assault victims also alleged that Copperfield had touched her in an improper sexual way while she was at Epstein's house." Edwards states that he hoped to bring Copperfield in for his own deposition, arguing that "Mr. Copperfield likely has relevant information" and that a disposition could "lead to the discovery of admissible evidence." Copperfield was never deposed.
The magician is also mentioned in a2016 deposition of Epstein. During the proceeding, Paul Cassel, an attorney representing Virginia Guiffre, asked Epstein if he and Copperfield "have been together in the presence of minor girls under the age of 18," and if he "ever provided girls under the age 18 to David Copperfield for sexual purposes." Esptein's attorney objected to both questions and Epstein replied "Fifth," indicating he was pleading the Fifth Amendment, the right against self-incrimination. (Epstein also replied "Fifth," when asked, "You know David Copperfield, right?")
In apartially redacted emaildated Oct. 19, 2007, an individual mentions an FBI search at a warehouse that the sender says is owned by Copperfield. The email describes the magician as "Epstein's favorite cohort" and also says "Copperfield spoke with the girls at Epstein's home on several occasions and tickets with 'backstage passes' were a favorite 'birthday gift' for Epstein to give the girls."
And in an undated set of photos released Dec. 19, Copperfield poses and grins while embracing Maxwell, the two dressed in bathrobes.
USA TODAY has reached out to Copperfield's rep for comment.
The Epstein files have been released without context, and the allegations within have not been independently confirmed by USA TODAY.Many famous nameshave appeared in the documents, and being mentioned does not indicate someone has been implicated in wrongdoing. It could mean they had a social or professional connection with Epstein.
Woody Allen's ties to Epsteincome to light in new photos
David Copperfield previously denied acting 'inappropriately ... let alone with anyone underage'
AfterThe Guardian U.S.published an investigation last year, in which 16 women claimed the famed illusionist sexually assaulted them or behaved inappropriately during their interactions,Copperfield's attorneys came to his defense.
They said he has "never, ever acted inappropriately with anyone, let alone anyone underage."
"David has a record of risking his career to help protect women from powerful predators," a statement shared with USA TODAY at the time read. "Most of these historic accusations have been made before, and all of them are as false now as they were then. David requested the 'evidence' upon which these false allegations claim to rely, and this has not been provided.
"By contrast, whenever U.S. law enforcement has looked into such matters, they have been investigated thoroughly and it has been found that there is simply no case to answer."
Who is David Copperfield?
Born David Kotkin, Copperfield is a master illusionist who gained fame for his elaborate acts that including making the Statue of Liberty disappear, walking through the Great Wall of China and levitating over the Grand Canyon.
The youngest performer ever to be accepted into the Society of American Magicians, he's taken his showman talents to stages across the world, including a Broadway show.
Copperfield also owns an archipelago of 11 islands in the Caribbean; the resortMusha Cayis marketed as "a test lab for [Copperfield's] creative pursuits" and "your own personal playground in the Bahamas."
He currently performs daily shows inside his namesake theaterat the MGM Grandin Las Vegas.
In 2014, heannounced his engagementto modelChloe Gosselin; the two welcomed their daughter, Sky, inFebruary 2010. Though Copperfield has maintained a low profile on social media in 2025, the two still follow each other on Instagram.
Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why David Copperfield is named in new Jeffrey Epstein docs
