Brett Ratner Addresses Epstein Photo and Denies Personal Relationship

Brett Ratner, the director of the new Melania documentary, has come forward to deny that he had a close tie to Jeffrey Epstein. His comments came after new documents were released that included a photograph of him with Epstein and two women whose faces were hidden. Ratner explained to Fox News that the picture was taken roughly twenty years ago at an event he attended with his girlfriend at the time.

According to Ratner, he didn’t have a personal relationship with Epstein and didn’t even really know who he was back then. He mentioned that he didn’t even remember the moment because they weren’t friends. He noted that when people asked him about Epstein in the past, he usually said he didn’t think he knew him because they never had a real connection.

The director explained that his fiancée was the one who invited him to the event where the photo was snapped. He said the woman in the picture with him was actually his fiancée and that he just happened to be there when the photo was taken. He called the situation crazy and horrible, saying that people can easily get thrown into these things without actually being involved in any wrongdoing.

Ratner’s name appeared in a massive set of documents released by the U.S. government, though there is no proof that he did anything illegal. The files also mentioned other famous names like Jay-Z and Harvey Weinstein, but many of these names came from tips that weren’t necessarily proven. Ratner seems focused on moving past the controversy as he makes his return to the film world.

Brett Ratner (Director of the Melania movie) seen photographed with Jeffrey Epstein and two victims. pic.twitter.com/AEKshcFsS8

— The American Post (@AmericanPostX) January 31, 2026

As of this year, Ratner is seeing a bit of a comeback with his new documentary titled Melania. The film, which follows First Lady Melania Trump in the days leading up to the 2025 inauguration, surprised many by earning $7.04 million in its first weekend. It was released in over 1,700 theaters and is currently the most expensive documentary ever made, with Amazon MGM Studios reportedly paying $40 million for the rights.

Looking ahead, Ratner is already working on several new projects as he re-enters the Hollywood spotlight. He is currently in the early stages of developing Rush Hour 4, a sequel that has been talked about for years and reportedly has the support of President Trump.

He is also rumored to be directing another documentary, this time focused on the Abraham Accords, which were the peace deals made during Trump’s first term in office. These projects mark his first major work in nearly a decade after he spent several years away from the industry.

Do you think Brett Ratner’s career will fully recover now that his Melania documentary has become such a big hit at the box office? Share your thoughts in the comments.