New details revealed about high-ranking Trump official's ties to Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein's ties to one of President Donald Trump's officials appear deeper than previously reported, new documents show.

A newly unearthed email from Mehmet Oz, Trump's Medicaid services administrator, and his wife, Lisa, shows the couple invited Epstein to their 2016 Valentine's Day party. The email, which was shared by progressive lawyer Aaron Parnas on X, includes a link to a digital invite that the Ozs sent Epstein from a company called Paperless Post.

Oz, who was critical of Epstein's crimes on his syndicated cable show, "The Dr. Oz Show," has also been linked to Epstein going back as early as 2004, CBS News reported. Epstein allegedly paid for the celebrity television doctor's travel, although the destination remains unknown. The total trip appears to have cost over $1,500, according to the report.

The new email surfaced at a time when the Trump administration's ties to Epstein are facing growing scrutiny. On Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted he lied during a podcast interview in October, saying he had no relationship with Epstein. Instead, Lutnick said he had visited Epstein's infamous island with his four young children.

There are also numerous communications between Trump whisperer Steve Bannon and the disgraced financier. Those communications also show that Bannon and Epstein not only exchanged info and advice about Trump, but Epstein also sent Bannon luxury gifts, like a Hermes watch valued at $1,500, CBS News reported.