Joe Biden, Barack Obama Photo Goes Viral

A photo of Joe Biden and Barack Obama has gone viral following the release of documents naming associates of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The financier regularly rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, with his friends and business connections including politicians, movie stars and supermodels. He was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died by suicide in prison a few weeks later.

There was much speculation online before the court filings' release, with several public figures expected to be named. Since Epstein's death, social media users have accused elected officials across the political spectrum of taking part in his sex trafficking operations—whether or not there is evidence to support the allegations.

Claiming a public figure has visited Epstein's island or flown in his private jet has been used as attacks online for a number of years. Democrats asserted that Donald Trump was a client of Epstein's, while Republicans pointed the finger at Bill Clinton, Obama and Biden.

The first batch of documents was released on Wednesday, with Trump and Clinton appearing in the files, along with independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr.

The records mention the former presidents in several instances. However, they have not been linked to any crimes involving Epstein or Maxwell, with both Trump and Clinton denying any wrongdoing. Kennedy also denied involvement, saying he is "not concerned" about the release.

In response to the news, one social media user reposted Biden's first Instagram selfie. The then-vice president took the snap with President Barack Obama in 2014, with the pair smiling in the presidential state vehicle.

"When you're not on the list," Democratic strategist Keith Edwards captioned the photo on X, formerly Twitter, with the post receiving over 630,000 views.

Despite not appearing in the unsealed filings or being previously linked to Epstein, some social media users alleged that Biden and Obama were involved, making groundless claims on Edwards' post.

"They're both on the list," posted @Tacticaldogt***.

"There are at least three names withheld," wrote @dane_hidden.

"Not on a list but everyone know they been on the island," @InfamousInsania posted.

Other users claimed, without evidence, that Biden and Obama would appear in later documents. Only 40 of the 250 documents have been released so far.

"There is more than one list," said @CR8IVIQ.

"Obama is on there... just not this release," wrote @RandyWillits.

"Wait until investigations and discovery begin," @KLaurenceOEF posted.

Newsweek reached out to Joe Biden and Barack Obama for comment via email.

What is the Jeffrey Epstein Associates List?

The court records were part of a defamation lawsuit filed by alleged Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre sued Epstein's accomplice and former girlfriend, Ghislane Maxwell, in 2015 after the disgraced socialite accused her of lying about being sexually abused as a teen. The case was settled in 2017.

In December, New York judge Loretta Preska ordered the files to be unsealed. Those listed in the documents were not necessarily involved in Epstein's sex trafficking ring or connected to the crimes.

Was Donald Trump on Epstein's Client List?

After the former president was named in the papers, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told Newsweek that the claims surrounding the former president and Epstein have been "thoroughly debunked."

The 2024 presidential candidate and Epstein were reportedly friends, with Trump previously referring to the businessman as a "terrific guy." However, the real estate magnate distanced himself from Epstein following the sex trafficking allegations.

He has not been linked to offenses related to the sex offender.

Was Bill Clinton on Epstein's Client List?

According to the documents, Epstein told victim Johanna Sjöberg that former President Bill Clinton "liked them young." However, she did not accuse Clinton of any wrongdoing.

Clinton's relationship with Epstein has caused controversy for a number of years. The former president has previously rejected claims that he visited Epstein's private island, Little St. James, where the financier purportedly abused and trafficked young women and minors.

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh confirmed that Clinton never visited Little St. James, with his statement also unsealed as part of the filings' release.

In response to being named in the court papers, Clinton representative Angel Urena told Newsweek that "nothing has changed" since the former president first rejected the claims in 2019.

According to Urena, Clinton knows "nothing" about Epstein's sex trafficking crimes, although the 77-year-old did take four trips on the businessman's jet in relation to his charity, the Clinton Foundation.