A little-noticed file from the Epstein case materials released by the U.S. Department of Justice late last week was identified by journalist and photographer Evgeny Feldman. The document had largely escaped the attention of English-language researchers, in part because it references Russian cultural material that requires specific contextual knowledge.
A Russian lullaby in Epstein’s notebook
An online archive known as the Epstein Library includes a photograph taken during the search of Jeffrey Epstein’s residence on Little St. James Island. The file, labeled «EFTA00002897.pdf,» shows an open notebook with handwritten notes.
Inside the notebook’s left flap is a sheet of white paper containing the transliterated lyrics of a Russian lullaby: «Bahyue bahyushki bahyue, Nieh lahzshisya na krahyue,» which translates as, «Rock-a-bye, baby, don’t lie so near the edge.»
Given the allegations against Epstein, Feldman described the image as one of the most unsettling discoveries in the released materials. He speculated that Epstein may have used the lullaby to calm a frightened, Russian-speaking victim.
Epstein, a U.S. financier born in 1953, was convicted of child sex crimes and died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
Trump photo removed from online archive
Some Epstein-related files were removed from the Justice Department’s online archive shortly after publication. Among them was «EFTA00000468.pdf,» listed under the DOJ Disclosures section of the Epstein Files Transparency Act data set and originally included among photographs from the search of Epstein’s New York residence.
Feldman said he had saved the archive locally before the removal and retained access to the file.
The image shows a table with drawers, framed memorabilia on top — including a photograph of the late Pope John Paul II — and photo albums inside a central pull-out drawer. The albums contain numerous photographs of Donald Trump, including one image showing him surrounded by women in swimsuits.
According to Feldman, the photos are not scandalous or overtly compromising. He suggested the Justice Department may have chosen to remove the image to avoid misinterpretation or controversy.
Painting resembling Bill Clinton
Another unusual item documented in the search materials is a photograph of a painting depicting a man bearing a strong resemblance to former President Bill Clinton.
In the painting, the figure is shown wearing a blue women’s dress and seated in a chair, with his feet resting on an armrest.
The image appears alongside other photographs from Epstein’s home that Feldman described as embarrassing or awkward, including images of sex toys, nude portraits in a massage room and lavish, eccentric decor.
