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For years, Donald Trump’s QAnon-believing supporters have baselessly claimed, with Trump’s winking approval, that there was a grand conspiracy among the world’s liberal elite to engage in pedophilia. At the same, Trump has attempted to brand all of his opponents as soft on crime while calling for increased penalties for criminals, including the death penalty for drug dealers. So it has been extraordinary that, after a politically connected billionaire was charged with trafficking children for sex, Trump was virtually silent. Extraordinary but not surprising. Trump had a years-long friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, overlapping with the years in which Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, were accused of trafficking children for sex. (Epstein was arrested in 2019 and was found dead in his prison cell later that year; Maxwell was arrested in 2020, found guilty in 2021, and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022.) Years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest, Trump told New York magazine that Epstein was “a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.” And Trump would have known. Aside from Trump’s own words, reporting, archival footage, and evidence all corroborate that Trump was aware of at least some of Epstein’s sexual appetites. Despite promising for months to release everything it knows, the Trump administration announced in July 2025 that there was nothing more to see. Trump himself castigated his “former supporters” who continued to call for the release of Epstein files. So, while the Trump administration will not disclose all it knows about the Epstein case, American Bridge will. |
¶ Trump And Epstein Had A Years-Long Friendship That Overlapped With The Years Epstein Was Sexually Abusing Children
¶ 1994-2005: Epstein Groomed, Trafficked For Sex, And Sexually Abused Children
2019: Epstein Was Charged With Sex Trafficking Of Minors And Conspiracy To Commit Sex Trafficking Of Minors Between 2002 And 2005. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ('FBI'), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ('NYPD'), announced that JEFFREY EPSTEIN was arrested Saturday and charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. The indictment unsealed today alleges that, between 2002 through 2005, EPSTEIN sexually exploited and abused dozens of underage girls by enticing them to engage in sex acts with him in exchange for money. Epstein allegedly worked with several employees and associates to ensure that he had a steady supply of minor victims to abuse, and paid several of those victims themselves to recruit other underage girls to engage in similar sex acts for money.” [U.S. Department of Justice, 7/8/19]
2022: Epstein’s Co-Conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, Was Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Helping Epstein “Recruit, Groom, And Ultimately Abuse Victims” As Young As 14 Between 1994 And 2004. According to U.S. Department of Justice, “Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GHISLANE (sic) MAXWELL was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court by United States Circuit Judge Alison J. Nathan to 240 months in prison for her role in a scheme to sexual exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Jeffrey Epstein over the course of a decade. […] From at least 1994, up to and including in or about 2004, GHISLAINE MAXWELL assisted, facilitated, and participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to MAXWELL and Epstein to be under the age of 18. The victims were as young as 14 years old when they were groomed and abused by MAXWELL and Epstein, both of whom knew that their victims were in fact minors. As a part and in furtherance of their scheme to abuse minor victims, MAXWELL and Epstein enticed and caused minor victims to travel to Epstein’s residences in different states, which MAXWELL knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse.” [U.S. Department of Justice, 6/28/22]
¶ 1980s-2004: Trump And Epstein Were Close Friends
¶ A Timeline Of Trump’s Friendship With Epstein
¶ 1980s: Trump And Epstein Became Acquainted
2002: Trump He Had “Known (Epstein)” For 15 Years, Meaning They Were First Acquainted In The 1980s. According to New York, "Epstein likes to tell people that he’s a loner, a man who’s never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic. And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. 'I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,' Trump booms from a speakerphone. 'He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.’” [New York, 10/28/02]
¶ 1992: Trump And Epstein Were Filmed Ogling Women Together At Mar-A-Lago
1992: Video Showed Donald Trump Partying With Jeffrey Epstein At Mar-a-Lago. According to NBC News, "The footage shows two wealthy men laughing and pointing as they appear to discuss young women dancing at a party. Today, one of the men is president of the United States. The other is in federal lockup awaiting a bail decision as he fights sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. The November 1992 tape in the NBC archives shows Donald Trump partying with Jeffrey Epstein at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, now a private club, more than a decade before Epstein pleaded guilty to felony prostitution charges in Florida. At one point in the video, Trump is seen grabbing a woman toward him and patting her behind." [NBC News, 7/17/19]
- Trump Gestured To A Woman And Appeared To Tell Epstein, “Look At Her, Back There. … She’s Hot,” To Which Epstein Smiled And Nodded. According to NBC News, “The 1992 footage was shot by NBC for Faith Daniels’ talk show, 'A Closer Look,' for a profile of the then-newly divorced Trump and his lifestyle. The future president was largely surrounded by cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills, in town for a game against the Miami Dolphins. The women offered the camera glowing testimonials about their fun-loving host. As music pumps in the background, the tape shows Trump walking through a corridor to greet Epstein and two other guests. 'Come on in … Go inside,' Trump says. Later in the footage, Trump is seen talking to Epstein and another man while they watch the women on the dance floor. Trump noted the presence of an NBC camera to Epstein, and both point out women, while Trump occasionally claps and dances to the beat. Though exactly what they say is difficult to understand, Trump is seen gesturing to a woman and appears to say to Epstein, 'Look at her, back there. … She’s hot.' Epstein reacted with a smile and a nod. Trump then said something else into Epstein’s ear that caused Epstein to double over with laughter.” [NBC News, 7/17/19]
¶ 1993-1997: Trump Flew On Epstein’s Plane At Least Seven Times
1993-1997: Trump Flew On Epstein’s Plane At Least Seven Times. According to Miami Herald, "Donald Trump appears to have flown on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jets six more times than was previously known, according to flight logs released as evidence in Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial. Previous disclosures of portions of Epstein’s flight log have shown world leaders, billionaires and celebrities among the many passengers who have flown on Epstein’s private jets. The new log released as evidence in Maxwell’s case stretches back earlier than previous releases. Decades before he became president, Trump flew four times in 1993, once in 1994 and once in 1995, in addition to a flight in 1997 that had been documented in portions of the flight log previously released. The flights were all between Palm Beach and New York City airports, with the June 1994 flight stopping at Ronald Reagan Washington Washington (sic) National Airport between Palm Beach and New York." [Miami Herald, 12/21/21]
¶ October 1993: Epstein And Trump Spent Time Together At A Restaurant Opening In New York
October 1993: Epstein And Trump Were Photographed Along With Trump’s Children At The Opening Of Harley Davidson Cafe In New York. According to CNN, "A year later in October 1993, high-society photographer Dafydd Jones took photos at the opening of the Harley Davidson Cafe in New York, capturing Trump and Epstein together. 'There was this guy there who struck me — the way he was looking — and he gave me his card. It said: Jeffrey Epstein, financial advisor,' Jones recalled in an interview with CNN this week. Jones captured photos of Trump with his arm around his two young children as he stands next to Epstein, leaning on a railing." [CNN, 7/22/25]
¶ December 1993: Epstein Attended Trump’s Wedding
December 1993: Epstein Attended Trump’s Wedding To Marla Maples. According to CNN, "Newly uncovered archived video footage and photos reveal fresh details about Donald Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Photos from 1993 confirm for the first time that Epstein attended Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples. Epstein’s attendance at the ceremony at the Plaza Hotel was not widely known until now. In addition, footage from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion event in New York shows Trump and Epstein laughing and chatting together ahead of the runway event. CNN’s KFile uncovered the raw footage during a review of archival video of Trump at events in the 1990s and 2000s. Trump and Epstein appeared together in at least one video among the limited archival footage reviewed. […] Two months later, in December 1993, Jones was assigned by a media organization to photograph Trump’s wedding. Among the photos he took was one of Epstein entering the event. 'I must have recognized him going in [to the event],' Jones said to CNN, adding he only took select photos of attendees he thought looked interesting.” [CNN, 7/22/25]
¶ 1997: Trump Signed A Copy Of “The Art Of The Deal” For Epstein And Wrote, “You Are The Greatest”
October 1997: Trump Signed A Copy Of His Book “Trump: The Art Of The Deal” For Epstein And Wrote, “To Jeff – You Are The Greatest.” According to The New York Times, "The Times found that at least once before, Mr. Trump had written Mr. Epstein an admiring note. 'To Jeff — You are the greatest!' reads an inscription in a copy of Mr. Trump’s book 'Trump: The Art of the Comeback' that belonged to Mr. Epstein. The message, reviewed by The Times, is signed 'Donald' and dated 'Oct ’97,' the month the book came out.” [New York Times, 7/24/25]
¶ 1997-1999: Trump And Epstein Attended Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows Together
1997: Trump And Epstein Attended A Victoria’s Secret Angels Fashion Show Together. According to CNN, "In addition, footage from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion event in New York shows Trump and Epstein laughing and chatting together ahead of the runway event. CNN’s KFile uncovered the raw footage during a review of archival video of Trump at events in the 1990s and 2000s. Trump and Epstein appeared together in at least one video among the limited archival footage reviewed. [...] Two photos from Getty Images show Trump and Epstein appearing at a 1997 Angels party in New York, two years before the footage uncovered by CNN.” [CNN, 7/22/25]
- Epstein Was Seen In The Background Of A Photo Of Trump Posing With The Model Ingrid Seynhaeve. According to a photo caption in The Daily Beast, “In April 1997, Trump and Epstein went to the Victoria's Secret Angels party together in Manhattan. Outside Trump posed with Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve.” [Daily Beast, 11/2/24]
1999: Trump And Epstein Attended A Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Together In New York. According to CNN, "In addition, footage from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion event in New York shows Trump and Epstein laughing and chatting together ahead of the runway event. CNN’s KFile uncovered the raw footage during a review of archival video of Trump at events in the 1990s and 2000s. Trump and Epstein appeared together in at least one video among the limited archival footage reviewed. [...] The 1999 fashion show wasn’t the first Victoria’s Secret event the pair attended together. Two photos from Getty Images show Trump and Epstein appearing at a 1997 Angels party in New York, two years before the footage uncovered by CNN.” [CNN, 7/22/25]
¶ 2000: Trump Attended Mar-A-Lago Events With Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, And Prince Andrew
2000: Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, And Prince Andrew Attended A Charity Fundraiser At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago In Palm Beach, Florida. According to CNN, “Images published in the Palm Beach Post in 2000 also show Trump, Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell — who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking — and Prince Andrew in attendance at a charity fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.” [CNN, 7/22/25]
2000: Trump And His Girlfriend, Melania Knauss, Were Photographed With Epstein and Epstein’s Partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago. According to a photo caption in The New York Times, “Donald J. Trump and Melania Knauss, his girlfriend and future wife, standing with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in 2000.” [New York Times, 7/19/25]
¶ 2002: Trump Said Epstein Was “A Lot Of Fun To Be With”
2002: Trump Told New York Magazine Epstein Was “'A Lot Of Fun To Be With.” According to New York, "Epstein likes to tell people that he’s a loner, a man who’s never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic. And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. 'I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,' Trump booms from a speakerphone. 'He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.’” [New York, 10/28/02]
¶ 2002: Trump Said Epstein Had An Appetite For “Younger” “Beautiful Women”
2002: Trump Told New York Magazine Epstein “Likes Beautiful Women As Much As I Do, And Many Of Them Are On The Younger Side.” According to New York, "Epstein likes to tell people that he’s a loner, a man who’s never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic. And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. 'I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,' Trump booms from a speakerphone. 'He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.’” [New York, 10/28/02]
¶ 2003: Trump Attended A Dinner At Epstein’s New York Townhouse
2003: Trump Attended A Dinner At Epstein’s New York Townhouse Alongside Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin, David Blaine, Donald Trump, Leslie Wexner Of The Limited, And Disgraced British Cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson. According to New York, "Where: East Side townhouse Table seats: 30 Guest list: Mort Zuckerman, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, David Blaine, Donald Trump, Leslie Wexner of the Limited, disgraced British Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson, Bill Clinton aide Doug Band Menu: Private chef, though last month Rocco DiSpirito cooked dinner after Epstein bid $50,000 for his services at a Hamptons charity. Make it MY place: Epstein hates restaurants, so he often entertains at home. 'The dialogues are so engaging that serving even the most extraordinary food sometimes seems inappropriate, like eating pizza at the ballet,' he says. 'I had rich shock!' one stunned guest says about Epstein’s house, which the owner claims is the largest private dwelling in the city. At a recent dinner organized by Ghislaine Maxwell, Blaine amused a group of barely clad models with card tricks. Alas, Clinton—around whom the evening had been organized—never showed, though his Secret Service would have appreciated Epstein’s numerous security cameras." [New York, 4/26/03]
¶ 2003: Trump Wrote A Birthday Greeting For Epstein That Included The Outline Of A Nude Women Along With A Cryptic Message
2003: Trump Was Among Dozens Of Epstein’s Associates Who Signed A Book For Epstein’s 50th Birthday. According to The Wall Street Journal, “It was Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday, and Ghislaine Maxwell was preparing a special fgift to mark the occasion. She turned to Epstein’s family and friends. One of them was Donald Trump. Maxwell collected letters from Trump and dozens of Epstein’s other associates for a 2003 birthday album, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Pages from the leather-bound album—assembled before Epstein was first arrested in 2006—are among the documents examined by Justice Department officials who investigated Epstein and Maxwell years ago, according to people who have reviewed the pages. It’s unclear if any of the pages are part of the Trump administration’s recent review.” [Wall Street Journal, 7/17/25]
- Trump’s Note Included Typewritten Text Framed By The Outline Of A Naked Woman, With Small Arcs Denoting Breasts And Trump’s Signature Below The Waist Mimicking Pubic Hair. According to The Wall Street Journal, “The letter bearing Trump’s name, which was reviewed by the Journal, is bawdy—like others in the album. It contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. A pair of small arcs denotes the woman’s breasts, and the future president’s signature is a squiggly 'Donald' below her waist, mimicking pubic hair. The letter concludes: 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.’” [Wall Street Journal, 7/17/25]
- Trump’s Note Was Styled As An Imaginary Conversation Between Trump And Epstein, Like A Script, In Which They Say That They Both Know What Mattered More In Life Than “Having Everything.” According to The Wall Street Journal, "It isn’t clear how the letter with Trump’s signature was prepared. Inside the outline of the naked woman was a typewritten note styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein, written in the third person. 'Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,' the note began. Donald: Yes, there is, but I won’t tell you what it is. Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is. Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey. Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it. Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that? Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you. Donald: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” [Wall Street Journal, 7/17/25]
- Trump’s Name Was In A List, Handwritten By Ghisaline Maxwell, Of The Contributors To The Book. According to The New York Times, "President Trump’s name appeared on a contributor list for a book celebrating the 50th birthday of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, evidence that he participated in the collection even as he denied that he signed a sexually suggestive note and drawing. Mr. Trump’s name is listed among dozens of Mr. Epstein’s acquaintances who were asked to contribute birthday messages for the leather-bound book in 2003. The list, reviewed by The New York Times, includes well-known Epstein associates like Leslie H. Wexner, then the owner of Victoria’s Secret and other retailers; Alan C. Greenberg, who ran the doomed Wall Street firm Bear Stearns; and the physicist Murray Gell-Mann. Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Gell-Mann both have since died. The Times also reviewed an introductory letter to the book, which was handwritten by Ghislaine Maxwell, Mr. Epstein’s longtime associate who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring to sexually traffic minors.” [New York Times, 7/24/25]
¶ 2004: Trump Wrote About A Friend Known As “The Mysterious Jeffrey” In A Book, Possibly Referring To Epstein
2004: Trump Possibly Referred To Epstein In His Book “Trump: How To Get Rich” As A Friend Known As “The Mysterious Jeffrey.” According to CNN, Trump flew on Epstein’s jets between Palm Beach and New York, at least seven times according to flight logs. In his 2004 book, 'Trump: How To Get Rich,' Trump wrote about taking a call from a man he named 'the mysterious Jeffrey.' 'As mysterious as Jeffrey is, he’s one of the few people I know who can get by on just a first name. My staff never asks for a last name in his case, which in a way puts him up there with Elvis. Not that Elvis calls in much these days, but you never know,' Trump wrote. It’s unclear if the 'mysterious Jeffrey' is Epstein and White House did not address it in a comment to CNN." [CNN, 7/22/25]
¶ 2004: Trump And Epstein Had A Reported Falling Out Over A Palm Beach Mansion
2004: Trump And Epstein Reportedly Had A Falling Out Over Their Mutual Interest In Purchasing The Palm Beach, Florida, Mansion Called Maison de l’Amitie. According to The Washington Post, "And then, in 2004, they were suddenly rivals, each angling to snag a choice Palm Beach property, an oceanfront manse called Maison de l’Amitie — the House of Friendship — that was being sold out of bankruptcy. Before the auction, Epstein and Trump each tried to work the ref; the trustee in the case, Joseph Luzinski, recalls being lobbied by both camps. [...] It is unclear whether Trump and Epstein were in contact after the house sale. That month, Trump left two messages for Epstein at his home in Palm Beach, according to records obtained by Vice News — the last known interaction between the two men. Four years after he bought the Gosman mansion, Trump sold it to Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million, more than doubling his investment." [Washington Post, 7/31/19]
¶ Epstein Said He Was Trump’s Closest Friend For A Decade
2017: Epstein Said He Was Trump’s “Closest Friend For 10 Years.” According to The Daily Beast, “Jeffrey Epstein described himself as Donald Trump’s 'closest friend' and claimed intimate knowledge of his proclivity for sex, including cuckolding his best friends, according to recordings obtained exclusively by the Daily Beast. The convicted pedophile even boasted of his closeness to Trump and his now-wife Melania by claiming, 'the first time he slept with her was on my plane,' which was dubbed the Lolita Express. Epstein spoke at length about Trump with the author Michael Wolff in August 2017, two years before being found dead in his jail cell. Wolff was researching his bombshell bestseller Fire and Fury at the time. The recordings cast more light on Trump’s long relationship with Epstein, and will add to debate over the character of the Republican candidate, especially his attitudes and conduct toward women, just days before the election. [...] Asked by Wolff, 'How do you know all this?' Epstein replied, 'I was Donald’s closest friend for 10 years.' Wolff shared the tape with the Daily Beast ahead of discussing it on his Fire and Fury podcast on Monday. Last Thursday he caused shockwaves by revealing a few seconds of a separate recording in which Epstein spoke in detail about the inner workings of the Trump administration. Wolff also said Thursday that the pedophile showed off photos of Trump with topless young women sitting in his lap.” [Daily Beast, 11/2/24]
¶ Epstein’s Brother Said Trump Comped Rooms For Epstein’s Mother And Aunt At His Atlantic City Hotels
Epstein’s Brother, Mark Epstein, Said Trump Used To Allow Epstein’s Mother And Aunt To Stay For Free At One Of His Atlantic City Hotels. According to The Washington Post, "Around that time, Trump flew at least once, in the late 1990s or 2000, on Epstein’s private plane from Florida to New York, according to Epstein’s brother, Mark, who described the flight in a 2009 deposition. In an interview last week with The Post, Mark Epstein said Trump flew on the plane 'numerous times' but said he was only present for one flight. 'They were good friends,' Mark Epstein said. 'I know [Trump] is trying to distance himself, but they were.' He added that Trump used to comp Epstein’s mother and aunt at one of Trump’s Atlantic City casino hotels. When a Post reporter sought further details, Mark Epstein hung up." [Washington Post, 7/31/19]
¶ 14 Phone Numbers Connected To Trump Were In Epstein’s Little Black Book
Epstein’s Little Black Book Contained 14 Numbers For Trump; His Wife, Melania Trump; And Others In Trump’s Inner Circle. According to The Washington Post, "When Jeffrey Epstein’s little black book of phone numbers appeared in a court file a few years ago, it contained 14 numbers for Trump; his wife, Melania; and others in Trump’s inner circle." [Washington Post, 7/31/19]
¶ Photos Of The Trump-Epstein Friendship
1992: Trump And Epstein Were Filmed Partying And Watching Women At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Property In Palm Beach, Florida. According to NBC News, "The November 1992 tape in the NBC archives shows Donald Trump partying with Jeffrey Epstein at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, now a private club, more than a decade before Epstein pleaded guilty to felony prostitution charges in Florida." [NBC News, 7/17/19]
1993: Epstein Was Photographed At Trump’s Wedding To Marla Maples In New York. According to CNN, "Newly uncovered archived video footage and photos reveal fresh details about Donald Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Photos from 1993 confirm for the first time that Epstein attended Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples. Epstein’s attendance at the ceremony at the Plaza Hotel was not widely known until now." [CNN, 7/22/25]
1993: Epstein And Trump Were Photographed Along With Trump’s Children At The Opening Of Harley Davidson Cafe In New York. According to CNN, "A year later in October 1993, high-society photographer Dafydd Jones took photos at the opening of the Harley Davidson Cafe in New York, capturing Trump and Epstein together. 'There was this guy there who struck me — the way he was looking — and he gave me his card. It said: Jeffrey Epstein, financial advisor,' Jones recalled in an interview with CNN this week. Jones captured photos of Trump with his arm around his two young children as he stands next to Epstein, leaning on a railing." [CNN, 7/22/25]
1997: Epstein Was Seen In The Background Of A Photo Of Trump Posing With The Model Ingrid Seynhaeve In New York. According to a photo caption in The Daily Beast, “In April 1997, Trump and Epstein went to the Victoria's Secret Angels party together in Manhattan. Outside Trump posed with Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve.” [Daily Beast, 11/2/24]
1997: Epstein And Trump Were Photographed Together At A Victoria's Secret Fashion Show In New York. According to a Getty Images caption, “Businessman Donald Trump and financier Jeffrey Epstein attend a Victoria's Secret Angels event sponsored by Rogers & Cowan at the club Duvet on 21st Street in New York City, New York on April 9, 1997.” [Getty Images, 4/9/97]
1997: Trump And Maxwell, Were Photographed At The 50th Anniversary Of The Ford Modeling Agency In New York. According to a caption in The Guardian, “Ghislaine Maxwell and Donald Trump attend the 50th anniversary of the Ford Modeling Agency in 1997.” [The Guardian, 7/27/25]
1997: Trump And Epstein Posed For A Photo At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Property In Palm Beach, Florida. According to a caption from Getty Images, “Portrait of American financier Jeffrey Epstein (left) and real estate developer Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 1997.” [Getty Images, 1/1/97]
1997: Trump Signed A Copy Of His Book “Trump: The Art Of The Deal” For Epstein And Wrote, “To Jeff – You Are The Greatest.” According to The New York Times, "The Times found that at least once before, Mr. Trump had written Mr. Epstein an admiring note. 'To Jeff — You are the greatest!' reads an inscription in a copy of Mr. Trump’s book 'Trump: The Art of the Comeback' that belonged to Mr. Epstein. The message, reviewed by The Times, is signed 'Donald' and dated 'Oct ’97,' the month the book came out.” [New York Times, 7/24/25]
2000: Trump And His Girlfriend, Melania Knauss, Were Photographed With Epstein And Maxwell At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago In Palm Beach, Florida. According to a photo caption in The New York Times, “Donald J. Trump and Melania Knauss, his girlfriend and future wife, standing with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in 2000.” [New York Times, 7/19/25]
2000: Trump And Melania Knauss Were Photographed With Prince Andrew, Epstein, And Maxwell At Trump's Mar-A-Lago Property In Palm Beach, Florida. According to a Getty Images caption, “Portrait of, from left, American real estate developer Donald Trump, his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, financier Jeffrey Epstein and at right Ghislaine Maxwell as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000.” [Getty Images, 2/12/00]
2000: Trump And Melania Knauss Posed With Maxwell At A Fashion Show In New York. According to a Getty Images caption, “Portrait of, from left, future married couple fashion model Melania Knauss (later Melania Trump) and American real estate developer Donald Trump, with British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as they pose together during attend Anand Jon Fashion Show, New York, New York, September 18, 2000.” [Getty Images, 9/18/00]
2000: Trump Sat With Maxwell At A Fashion Show In New York. According to a Getty Images caption, “Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell attend Anand Jon Fashion Show on September 18, 2000 in New York City.” [Getty Images, 9/18/00]
2002: Trump And Melania Knauss Posed For A Photo With Maxwell And Naomi Campbell At A Fashion Show In New York. According to a Getty Images caption, “Ghislaine Maxwell, Naomi Campbell, Donald Trump and Melania Knauss attend Dolce & Gabbana Opening at Dolce & Gabbana on November 11, 2002 in New York City.” [Getty Images, 11/11/02]
Undated: Trump And Epstein Were Photographed With The Singer James Brown. According to The New York Times, "The Times also reviewed a previously undisclosed photo of Mr. Trump and Mr. Epstein with the singer James Brown. It isn’t clear where the photo was taken. Mr. Brown regularly performed in Atlantic City, N.J., where Mr. Trump owned the Taj Mahal casino.” [New York Times, 7/24/25]
¶ Trump Suggested He Knew About Epstein’s Predation, Which Was Partially Conducted At Trump Properties
¶ Trump Suggested He Knew That Epstein Had A Sexual Interest In Underage Girls
2002: Trump Told New York Magazine Epstein “Likes Beautiful Women As Much As I Do, And Many Of Them Are On The Younger Side.” According to New York, "Epstein likes to tell people that he’s a loner, a man who’s never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic. And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. 'I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,' Trump booms from a speakerphone. 'He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.’” [New York, 10/28/02]
2016: Trump Advisor Roger Stone Wrote That Trump Told A Mar-A-Lago Member That The Swimming Pool At Epstein’s Home Was “Full Of Beautiful Young Girls” And Trump Thought, “How Nice, [...] He Let The Neighborhood Kids Use His Pool.” According to PolitiFact, “In the 2016 book, 'The Clintons’ War on Women,' Trump ally and political consultant Roger Stone — whom Trump pardoned after he was convicted for obstruction, making false statements and witness tampering — wrote that Trump had turned down multiple invitations to 'Epstein’s hedonistic private island and his Palm Beach home.' Stone wrote that Trump 'cut Epstein and his underlings off' when he heard Palm Beach police were investigating Epstein. Stone wrote that Trump told a Mar-a-Lago club member, '‘The one time I visited his Palm Beach home, the swimming pool was full of beautiful young girls’ … ‘How nice,’ I thought, ‘he let the neighborhood kids use his pool.’” [PolitiFact, 11/8/24]
¶ Epstein Recruited At Least One Victim Trump's Property And Her TO Another
¶ Epstein Took One Of His Child Victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, To Trump’s Hotel
Epstein’s Masseuse, Johanna Sjoberg, Said The First Time She Traveled With Epstein They Went To Trump’s Hotel In Atlantic City, But Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Who Accused Epstein Of Sexual Abuse When She Was A Minor, Could Not Go Into The Casino Because She Was Underage. According to Newsweek, “Court documents in a case involving late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that were released on Wednesday, including testimony about whether one victim ever massaged former President Donald Trump. The hundreds of pages of unsealed documents contain emails and transcripts of depositions pertaining to the now-settled case brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that Epstein sexually abused her as a minor. She also alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell, his girlfriend, aided in the abuse. Wednesday's release is only the first of what's expected to be several rounds of disclosed documents and names included in the filings, but inclusion doesn't equate to accusations of any unlawful behavior. Epstein, who was indicted in 2019 on charges of operating a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls, was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial. Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Included in the 40 documents is a deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, who's accused Prince Andrew of touching her breast. When asked about the first time she traveled with Epstein, Sjoberg said that they left Palm Beach, Florida, and flew to Atlantic City, New Jersey, for a few hours because of a storm in New York. 'Jeffrey said, 'Great, we'll call up Trump and we'll go to'—I don't recall the name of the casino, but—'we'll go to the casino,'' Sjoberg said, according to her testimony. While in Atlantic City, they went to one of Trump's casinos, according to Sjoberg, who said Giuffre was not allowed into the casino because she was underage.” [Newsweek, 1/3/24]
¶ Epstein And Maxwell Recruited Giuffre For Sex At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago
2000: Maxwell Recruited A 17-Year-Old Girl At Trump’s Mar-A-Lago To Massage Epstein And Was Later Forced By The Couple To Have Sex With Famous Men. According to The New York Times, "In 2000, court records show, Ms. Maxwell, a British socialite who had long been tied to Mr. Epstein, struck up a conversation with a 17-year-old girl outside a locker room at Mar-a-Lago. Her name was Virginia Giuffre, and she was a spa attendant at the club, having gotten the job through her father, who worked there as a maintenance man. According to Ms. Giuffre, Ms. Maxwell offered her a job on the spot as a masseuse for Mr. Epstein after seeing that she was reading a book about massage, telling her that she did not need to have any experience. She said that when she was brought to Mr. Epstein’s Palm Beach home, she found him lying naked on a table. Ms. Maxwell, she claimed, instructed her on how to massage him. 'They seemed like nice people,' she later testified, 'so I trusted them.' But over the next two years or so, Ms. Giuffre claimed that she was forced by Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell to have sex with a series of famous men, including Prince Andrew, a member of the British royal family. Prince Andrew has denied the accusations and declined to help federal prosecutors in their investigation of Mr. Epstein." [New York Times, 7/19/25]
¶ Trump Allegedly Had Sex With Women At Epstein’s House
¶ A Woman Who Accused Epstein Of Sexual Assault Said Trump And Her Friend Had Sex Regularly At Epstein’s New York House
2016: Sarah Ransome, Who Accused Epstein Of Sexual Assault, Told New York Post Columnist Maureen Callahan A Friend Of Hers Had Sex With Trump At Epstein’s New York Home “On Regular Occasions.” According to the New York Post, "A Jeffrey Epstein accuser once claimed former President Donald Trump allegedly had 'sexual relations' with one of her unnamed friends at the late pedophile’s New York home 'on regular occasions,' according to another trove of court documents unsealed Monday. Sarah Ransome, in a string of 2016 emails to then-New York Post columnist Maureen Callahan also claimed that she had copies of tapes Epstein had made of some of his high-profile friends — Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and British business magnate Richard Branson — allegedly having sex with an unnamed woman. 'She confided in me about her casual ‘friendship’ with Donald. Mr. Trump definitely seemed to have a thing for her and she told me how he kept going on about how he liked her ‘pert nipples,’' Ransome wrote about her friend in one email, made public when the latest batch of newly unsealed documents dropped. 'I also know she had sexual relations with Trump at Jeffery’s NY mansion on regular occasions,' she added." [New York Post, 1/8/24]
- Ransome Retracted What She Had Told Callahan So She Could “Walk Away From This” And That “Only Bad Things” And “Pain For My Family” Would Come From Going Public. According to the New York Post, “Ransome walked back the salacious allegations in an Oct. 23, 2016 email with Callahan, writing, 'I would like to retract everything I have said to you and walk away from this,' according to the filing. She added that 'only bad things' and 'pain for my family' would come from going public." [New York Post, 1/8/24]
¶ Trump And His White House Gave Different Reasons For Why Trump And Epstein Stopped Being Friends
July 23, 2025: Trump White House Spokesman Steven Cheung Said Trump “Kicked (Epstein) Out Of His Club For Being A Creep.” According to The Wall Street Journal, “Both Epstein and Trump said years ago that they had a falling out. On Wednesday, after the publication of this article, Trump’s spokesman Cheung said: ‘The fact is that The President kicked him out of his club for being a creep.’” [Wall Street Journal, 7/23/25]
July 28, 2025: Trump Said He Threw Epstein Out Of His Mar-A-Lago Club And Ended Their Friendship Because Epstein “Stole People That Work For Me. I Said, ‘Don’t Ever Do That Again.’ He Did It Again.” According to CNBC, “President Donald Trump on Monday said he threw his longtime friend Jeffrey Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club and cut ties with him years ago because 'he stole people who worked for me.' Trump said Epstein poached at least one more employee from him after being warned not to do it again. The president, speaking in Scotland, provided no other details of the dispute with Epstein, who killed himself in a federal jail in New York weeks after being arrested on child sex trafficking charges in July 2019. 'That’s such old history, very easy to explain, but I don’t want to waste your time by explaining it,' Trump said, after a reporter asked him to put to rest questions about what led to the rift between the two men and Epstein’s exile from the president’s Palm Beach, Florida, club. 'But for years, I wouldn’t talk to Jeffrey Epstein. I wouldn’t talk because he did something that was inappropriate,' the president said. 'He hired help, and I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ He stole people that work for me. I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ He did it again,' Trump said. Epstein then became 'persona non grata,' Trump said. 'I threw him out, and that was it. I’m glad I did, if you want to know the truth,' he said.” [CNBC, 7/28/25]
- July 29, 2025: Trump Confirmed One Of The Employees Epstein “Stole” From Trump Was Virginia Giuffre, A Then-Underage Mar-A-Lago Pool Attendant Recruited By Maxwell Who Was Later Raped By Epstein. According to The Independent, “'He took people that work for me, and I told him, don't do it anymore. And he did it. I said, Stay the hell out of here,' he said. Pressed further on whether the workers poached by Epstein included Virginia Giuffre, a Mar-a-Lago pool attendant who was recruited and groomed by Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and raped by Epstein on numerous occasions after being ostensibly hired as a 'masseuse,' Trump confirmed that the employees who factored in the dispute leading to the end of his friendship with Epstein included young women. 'I told him, I said, Listen, we don't want you taking our people, whether it was spa or not spa. I don't want him taking people. And he was fine. And then not too long after that, he did it again. And I said, out of here,' he said, describing Epstein as having 'stolen' his spa workers. Asked point-blank if one of them was Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year, he replied: 'I think she worked at the spa. I think so. I think that was one of the people.' 'Yeah, he stole her,' he said. Trump added that Giuffre, who also accused other powerful men of raping her during the time she was associated with Epstein, 'had no complaints' about him.” [The Independent, 7/29/25]
¶ Trump Appointed The Prosecutor Who Gave Epstein A Sweetheart Deal To His Cabinet And Fired The One Who Prosecuted Him And Maxwell
July 2019: Trump’s Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta Was Criticized For A 2007 Plea Deal In Which Epstein Was Given Immunity From Federal Prosecution For Sexually Abusing Children. According to NPR, "President Trump is standing by Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, at least for now. Acosta is facing calls for his resignation after new sex trafficking charges were filed against multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein on Monday. Back in 2007, Acosta, who was then a U.S. attorney, oversaw a plea agreement that gave Epstein immunity from federal prosecution and allowed him to plead guilty to lesser state charges. At the time, Epstein was accused of sexually abusing young girls. Asked about Acosta, Trump said the plea deal happened many years ago and that he did not think this was a decision that Acosta made on his own." [NPR, 7/8/19]
July 2025: Trump’s Justice Department Fired The Prosecutor Who Worked On Prosecuting Epstein And Ghislaine Maxwell. According to The Guardian, "The justice department has fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey and a prosecutor in the federal cases against Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter. Her termination comes shortly after she prosecuted Combs, who was acquitted of sex-trafficking and racketeering charges. The rapper was convicted of lesser prostitution-related offenses. Comey also prosecuted Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell on sex-trafficking charges." [Guardian, 7/17/25]
- January 2024: Maurene Comey Was Still Working On The Epstein And Maxwell Cases As Recently As Last Year. According to The New York Times, “Mr. Epstein’s private conduct has been the subject of intense public interest for years. In 2017, the gossip site Radar Online sued the F.B.I. in the Southern District under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking the release of certain documents related to the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein. In a declaration submitted in that case in January 2024, Ms. Comey wrote that releasing the documents could damage the government’s case in a potential retrial of Ms. Maxwell, including by subjecting witnesses “to possible embarrassment and harassment” that could make them less likely to testify.” [New York Times, 7/16/25]
¶ Trump Officials Demanded The Release of The Epstein Files They Later Said Did Not Exist
¶ Members Of Trump’s Administration Said The Epstein Files Should Be Released
¶ Now-Attorney General Pam Bondi Supported Releasing The Epstein Files Without Redacting Names
VIDEO: January 2024: Pam Bondi Said That The Epstein Report Should Be Public And That There Was No Legal Case To Withhold The Names Of Anyone Other Than Children, Victims, Or Cooperating Defendants. VIDEO [00:00:05] PAM BONDI: Well, it's trickled out, Sean. It's trickling out. First of all, it should have come out a long time ago. Professor Dershowitz wanted it out. And by the way, he is one of the best attorneys in this country. I know him. I know his wife. That's a great family. And they've been dragged through hell on this. I want to know why A.G. Garland and the Justice Department are so quiet on this tonight. You know, they're out there labeling parents domestic terrorists, yet they're saying nothing about this. And these documents were so slow to come out. Human trafficking is a multibillion dollar business in this country. And Jeffrey Epstein is dead. And Ghislaine Maxwell is in prison for 20 years where she belongs. And if people in that report are still fighting to keep their names private, Sean, they have no legal basis to do so unless they're a child, a victim, or a cooperating defendant by some chance against some potential case against girls in Maxwell. [Hannity, 1/3/24]
¶ Now-FBI Director Kash Patel Said He Would Release The Names Of People In The Epstein Files And Said Epstein Did Not Kill Himself
VIDEO: January 2022: Patel Said He “Would Be On The Front Lines” Trying To Release The Names Of Abusers Who Worked With Epstein. Video [00:06:23] STEW PETERS: The final question comes from Ang V., and we’re going to put it on the screen here. “Concerning Ghislaine Maxwell how is that our quote justice system is not re-victimizing the victims by now allowing the names of all the sexual deviants out to the public for deserved public scrutiny and shame like they deserve? Isn’t that our justice system caring more about the criminals than the victims in the long run?” KASH PATEL: I totally agree with her. I would be on the front lines when trying to get those the names of the assaulters out to the public because the public has a right to know. And as she put, because the victims need their day in court. And just because Ghislaine Maxwell got convicted, that wasn't their entire day in court. They should be able to see and read out the names of everyone that abused them due to Epstein and Maxwell's criminal enterprise going back decades, including and if it involves Prince Andrew. And at least that case is moving. I don't know if you've been tracking it, but we might actually get somewhere on that one. [Stew Peters Show, 1/3/22]
VIDEO: January 2022: Patel Said The Biden Justice Department Would Not Go After The Epstein Case With As Much “Vigor” As Trump’s Because It Would Implicate “Individuals Who Might Be Associated With The Democratic Party.” VIDEO [00:07:55] STEW PETERS: Do you believe, other than Ghislaine Maxwell, that anybody will ever be investigated, charged, prosecuted, or convicted for being involved? Because you know that there are victims out there that are ready to come forward, willing to come forward if the justice system will show them that they're going to be taken care of and that's going to be followed up on and that these people will get the just desserts that they have coming to them. KASH PATEL: I mean, I would like to say I hope so, but I have to put this back in context. Remember, the only reason we have even a Ghislaine Maxwell or Jeffrey Epstein charged is because under the Trump administration that Department of Justice had the gall to go up and reopen that case in the Southern District of Florida and then send it to the Southern District of New York, where he was actually prosecuted. That was the beginning. But then, we, they at least had the temerity to go after that. And I think that's what was happening. Now, will this Justice Department? Remember, there was a change in presidency, and they're basically just riding the wave of the conviction. I don't know that they'll necessarily go after it with as much vigor as the prior one did because they just had that as a priority to go after individuals who might be associated with the Democratic Party. They don't want that to come out anymore. They want to, as you said in the lead-up, bury that this case and this incident ever happened, and I hope that doesn't—that's not the case. [Stew Peters Show, 1/3/22]
December 2021: Patel Said Epstein’s Death “Doesn’t Look Like A Suicide” And Said He Doubted That The Biden Justice Department Would Investigate It. VIDEO [00:04:05] KASH PATEL: And again, it's like when you're in that kind of confinement, we call it solitary confinement, you're not supposed to have these things that you are able to hang yourself with. That's the whole point of the strict rules in there. You're not supposed to have six feet of cloth that you can dangle from the ceiling so you can hang yourself. This is prison 101. So I agree with you. This this doesn't look right. It doesn't look like a suicide. But is this Justice Department going to investigate it? Probably not. [Stew Peters Show, 12/6/21]
VIDEO: December 2021: Patel Said He Did Not Believe That The Guard Watching Epstein Fell Asleep. VIDEO [00:02:52] KASH PATEL: So I've spent a lot of time in federal detention facilities as a public defender before, talking to my clients, so I kind of know how those work. He was in isolation. He was in a unit where it's, he's in there not just to protect himself, but he's in there to protect the rest of the prison population because he was such a high-profile case. What happens is in these units, there's supposed to be 24/7 guard duty on him directly. And from what I was able to learn in this, you know, in the lead-up to his suicide is that the guard fell asleep. Now, I don't really buy that, but it's almost impossible to prove otherwise unless you can obtain the videotape, and usually there isn't video looking into people's cells for a lot of reasons. And so we're stuck with that narrative. And did you, do you know what happened to these guards? Supposedly, they were going to get charged, but I've never heard anything that happened to these prison guards. Maybe you should, we should try to find them and let's talk to them. [Stew Peters Show, 12/6/21]
¶ Now-Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino Previously Said, “I Can’t Wait” For The Release Of Epstein’s “Client List”
VIDEO: December 2023: Bongino Said, “I Can’t Wait” For The Epstein Client List To Be Released, And Said That Democratic Senator Dick Durbin Was Quiet About It, Insinuating He Was Trying To Protect People Named. VIDEO [00:00:00] DAN BONGINO: Did You hear about this Jeffrey Epstein thing that apparently 170-plus people on his client list may be out in the coming days? I can't wait for that. I've already told you the Epstein story. Let's just say a friend who knows about something, if you've heard the story, was on the plane with Clinton, Clinton with the Epstein thing, and he said, I'm out of here, daddio. I told that story quite a few times, so I know a lot about this story. There are a lot of people who know old Jeff. A lot of people. So it's kind of weird, like this client list is about to come out, everybody got quiet all of a sudden about the Senate sex tape scandal and nobody wants to say anything, so strange. They can confront Tricky Dick Durbin on it, and he's like, I don't know nothing about that client list. [Dan Bongino Show, 12/20/23]
¶ Now-Interim U.s. Attorney For New Jersey Alina Habba Said Trump Would Prosecute People Named In The Epstein “Flight Logs”
VIDEO: February 2025: Habba Said The Government Had “Flight Logs, We Have Information, Names That Will Come Out” In The Epstein Case And That The Trump Administration Would Prosecute People Mentioned In Them. VIDEO [00:01:07] ALINA HABBA: In this case, in Epstein’s case, it is incredibly disturbing. We have flight logs, we have information, names that will come out. PIERS MORGAN: Is it going to be shocking? HABBA: I don’t see how it’s not shocking that there were so many individuals that were hidden and kept secret and not been held accountable. Let’s talk about the reverse. I believe in accountability. So you have to now go through your process. Now, I won’t say they’re guilty until they go through their time in court. But again, now it’s time for accountability. We have seen for so many years, Piers, in this country so many investigations, subpoenas, testimonies in Congress, etc., etc., but there’s a general frustration with accountability. We take it halfway. We don’t take it home, and I really believe now with Kash [Patel, FBI director] and Pam [Bondi, attorney general], there will be accountability. […] MORGAN: Do you think by releasing information from these files we are likely to see criminal actions taken. HABBA: Absolutely. MORGAN: Really? HABBA: I think it would be negligent for us not to. You have to hold individuals who are indeed rapists accountable. We have to have tried in my opinion, and I do believe in that. Nobody should be just dismissed. You have to have your time in court, and you will be heard. But to hide lists, protect political friends, all of that—we don’t have time for that. [Piers Morgan Uncensored, 2/27/25]
¶ Trump’s Justice Department Said There Was Not An Epstein Client List And No More Information Would Be Released
July 2025: Trump’s Justice Department Admitted There Was Not A Client List And Said No More Files Would Be Released. According to The Associated Press, “Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a 'client list,' the Justice Department acknowledged Monday as it said no more files related to the wealthy financier’s sex trafficking investigation would be made public despite promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists. The acknowledgment that the well-connected Epstein did not have a list of clients to whom underage girls were trafficked represents a public walk-back of a theory that the Trump administration had helped promote, with Bondi suggesting in a Fox News interview earlier this year that such a document was 'sitting on my desk' in preparation for release. […] That episode, in which conservative internet personalities were invited to the White House in February and provided with binders marked 'The Epstein Files: Phase 1' and 'Declassified' that contained documents that had largely already been in the public domain, has spurred far-right influencers to lambast and deride Bondi.” [Associated Press, 7/7/25]
May 2025: Patel And Bongino Said Epstein Did Kill Himself. According to The Hill, "Disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino reaffirmed Sunday, countering conspiracy theories that have lingered since Epstein died while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. 'As someone who has worked as a public defender, as a prosecutor who’s been in that prison system, who’s been in the Metropolitan Detention Center, who’s been in segregated housing, you know a suicide when you see one, and that’s what that was,' Patel told Fox News’s Maria Bartiromo on 'Sunday Morning Futures,' adding that those who believe something nefarious happened 'have a right to their opinion.' 'I have seen the whole file. He killed himself,' Bongino added in their joint interview at the FBI’s Hoover Building." [The Hill, 5/19/25]
¶ Trump's Attorney General Told Him He Appeared In Epstein Files
May 2025: Attorney General Pam Bondi And Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Told Trump His Name Appeared In Files Relating To The Epstein Case. According to The Wall Street Journal, “When Justice Department officials reviewed what Attorney General Pam Bondi called a 'truckload' of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year, they discovered that Donald Trump’s name appeared multiple times, according to senior administration officials. In May, Bondi and her deputy informed the president at a meeting in the White House that his name was in the Epstein files, the officials said. Many other high-profile figures were also named, Trump was told. Being mentioned in the records isn’t a sign of wrongdoing. […] In a statement to the Journal on Friday, Bondi and the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, said nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution. 'As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings,' they said.” [Wall Street Journal, 7/23/25]
¶ Trump Said He Wished Maxwell Well And Would Not Rule Out Pardoning Her
July 2020: Trump Said, “I Wish (Maxwell) Well,” Twice During A White House Press Briefing. According to The New York Times, "President Trump’s return to the White House podium on Tuesday to discuss the coronavirus pandemic took an unusual detour when he offered warm words for Ghislaine Maxwell, who is facing federal charges of helping Jeffrey Epstein recruit, groom and sexually abuse girls. Mr. Trump’s comment about Ms. Maxwell, who was arrested in New Hampshire this month and is being held without bail in a federal jail in Brooklyn, came in response to a reporter’s question about whether he expected her to go public with the names of powerful men who have been accused in lawsuits of taking part in the sex-trafficking ring that Mr. Epstein allegedly ran. 'I don’t know,' Mr. Trump said. 'I haven’t really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly.' 'I’ve met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach,' the president continued, referring to the Florida town where his Mar-a-Lago resort is and where Mr. Epstein had a home. 'But I wish her well, whatever it is.' " [New York Times, 7/21/20]
August 2020: Trump Said, “I Wish (Maxwell) Well,” During An Interview. According to POLITICO, “President Donald Trump again extended well-wishes to accused sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, apparently expressing sympathy for Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime companion. 'Her friend, or boyfriend, was either killed or committed suicide in jail. She’s now in jail,' Trump told Axios’ Jonathan Swan in an interview that aired Monday night on HBO. 'Yeah, I wish her well,' he said. 'I’d wish you well. I’d wish a lot of people well. Good luck. Let them prove somebody was guilty.’” [POLITICO, 8/4/20]
August 2020: Trump Said Of Maxwell, “I’m Not Looking For Anything Bad For Her.” According to CNN, "Maxwell is charged with enticement and conspiracy to entice minors, as young as 14, to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury. She has denied any wrongdoing. When asked to clarify whether he was suggesting he hoped she doesn’t die in jail, Trump told Axios: 'Her boyfriend died in jail and people are still trying to figure out, how did it happen? Was it suicide? Was he killed? And I do wish her well. I’m not looking for anything bad for her.' " [CNN, 8/4/20]
July 2025: Trump Said He Would Not Rule Out A Pardon For Maxwell And Said He Was “Allowed” To Grant One. According to Newsweek, "President Donald Trump was asked again Monday about the possibility of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, reiterating that he is 'allowed' to do so. 'Well, I'm allowed to give her a pardon but nobody's approached me with it, nobody's asked me about it,' Trump told reporters when asked about the possibility. 'It's in the news about that—that aspect of it, but right now it would be inappropriate to talk about it,' he said. The remark echoed the president's Friday comments, when he told reporters: 'It's something I haven't thought about... I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about.'" [Newsweek, 7/28/25]
¶ Trump Expressed Doubt About The Government’s Versions Of Events In The Epstein And Maxwell Cases
August 2020: Trump Expressed Doubt About The Charges Against Maxwell When Asked Why He Wished Her Well After She Had Been Charged With Child Sex Trafficking, Saying, “Well, First Of All You Don’t Know That.” According to CNN, " President Donald Trump is now saying that he wished Ghislaine Maxwell well after she was arrested because he doesn’t want her to die in jail like her former boyfriend and alleged accomplice, Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with 'Axios on HBO' that aired Monday night, Trump was asked why he wished Maxwell well when she’s been arrested on allegations of child sex trafficking. 'Well, first of all you don’t know that,' Trump said to the allegations of child sex trafficking. 'Her friend or boyfriend (Epstein) was either killed or committed suicide. She’s now in jail. Yeah, I wish her well. I’d wish you well. I’d wish a lot of people well. Good luck. Let them prove somebody was guilty.'" [CNN, 8/4/20]
August 2020: Trump Expressed Doubt About Epstein’s Suicide, Saying: “People Are Still Trying To Figure Out, How Did It Happen? Was It Suicide? Was He Killed?” According to CNN, “Maxwell is charged with enticement and conspiracy to entice minors, as young as 14, to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury. She has denied any wrongdoing. When asked to clarify whether he was suggesting he hoped she doesn’t die in jail, Trump told Axios: ‘Her boyfriend died in jail and people are still trying to figure out, how did it happen? Was it suicide? Was he killed? And I do wish her well. I’m not looking for anything bad for her.’” [CNN, 8/4/20]
¶ Trump Sexualized Girls And Was Accused Of Abusing Women
¶ Trump Walked In On Teenage Pageant Contestants While They Were Changing
1997: Trump Entered The Miss Teen USA Dressing Room In Which Girls As Young As 15 Were In Various States Of Undress. According to The Rolling Stone, “On the heels of the damaging videotape on which Trump and former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush salivated over Days of Our Live actress Arianne Zucker, and joked about sexually assaulting women, came allegations that Trump entered the Miss Teen USA changing room where girls as young as 15 were in various states of undress. Mariah Billado, Miss Teen Vermont 1997 told BuzzFeed, “I remember putting on my dress really quick because I was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s a man in here.'” Three other teenage contestants from the same year confirmed the story. The former pageant contestants discussed their memories of the incident after former Miss Arizona Tasha Dixon told Los Angeles’ CBS affiliate that Trump entered the Miss USA dressing room in 2001 when she was a contestant.” [Rolling Stone, 10/12/16]
- 2005: Trump Said As The Owner Of Beauty Pageants He Could Go Backstage When Women Were Changing And “They’re Standing There With No Clothes [...] And So I Sort Of Get Away With Things Like That.” According to The Rolling Stone, “The Trump campaign did not offer a response to either story, but in a 2005 appearance on Howard Stern’s show, Trump bragged about doing exactly what the women describe. ‘I’ll go backstage before a show, and everyone’s getting dressed and ready and everything else,’ he said. His position as the pageant’s owner entitled him to that kind of access, Trump explained, seemingly aware that what he was doing made the women uncomfortable. ‘You know, no men are anywhere. And I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant. And therefore I’m inspecting it… Is everyone OK? You know, they’re standing there with no clothes. And you see these incredible-looking women. And so I sort of get away with things like that,’ he said.” [Rolling Stone, 10/12/16]
- 2005: Trump Said It Might Be His “Obligation” To Have Sex With Contestants Of The Beauty Pageants He Owned. According to The Rolling Stone, “The same year Trump bragged to Howard Stern about barging into the dressing room while the women were changing, he declined to say whether he’d ever slept with a contestant. ‘It could be a conflict of interest. … But, you know, it’s the kind of thing you worry about later, you tend to think about the conflict a little bit later on,’ Trump joked. A few beats later, he rethought his stance, joking that, as the pageant’s owner, it might be his ‘obligation’ to sleep with the contestants.” [Rolling Stone, 10/12/16]
¶ At Least 26 Individuals Accused Trump Of Sexual Assault, Harrassment, Or Predation
Trump Has Faced Accusations Related To Sexual Predation From At Least 26 Named Individuals. According to Business Insider, “Jessica Leeds […] Ivana Trump […] Kristin Anderson […] Jill Harth […] Lisa Boyne […] Mariah Billado […] Victoria Hughes […] E. Jean Carroll […] Temple Taggart […] Cathy Heller […] Amy Dorris […] Karena Virginia […] Karen Johnson […] Tasha Dixon […] Bridget Sullivan […] Mindy McGillivray […] Natasha Stoynoff […] Jennifer Murphy […] Juliet Huddy […] Rachel Crooks […] Samantha Holvey […] Ninni Laaksonen […] Jessica Drake […] Summer Zervos […] Cassandra Searles […] Alva Johnson.” [Business Insider, 5/9/23]
¶ Trump Bragged About Sexually Assaulting Women, Said He Could Get Away With It Because He Was Famous
2005: Trump Suggested He Could Do Anything He Wanted To Women Because He Was A Star, Claiming He Does Not Even Wait To Kiss Them. According to Time, “The real estate mogul also told Bush that he’s ‘automatically attracted to beautiful’ women, like a ‘magnet,’ and that sometimes he goes straight for a kiss. ‘I just start kissing them,’ he says. ‘I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything.’” [Time, 10/7/16]
¶ Trump Said The First Person He Had Sex With Was A “Hot Little Girl In High School Or Grammar School”
1997: Trump Said The First Person He Had Sex With Was A “Hot Little Girl In High School Or Grammar School.” According to CNN, "Trump frequently talked about his personal sex life on Stern’s radio program, which included him willingly engaging in a discussion about having sex with women on their menstrual cycles. 'Will you have sex with a woman if she’s having her period? Go ahead,' Stern asks Trump in a 1997 interview. [...] Later in the interview, Trump says he lost his virginity at 'about 14.' 'It was a young woman, who was really beautiful, she the hot little girl in high school or grammar school or whatever,' Trump said. 'She was hot. I haven’t seen her. I haven’t seen her.' " [CNN, 10/8/16]