A newly uncovered FBI document has revealed that Donald Trump allegedly informed law enforcement about Jeffrey Epstein's behaviour as far back as 2006, stating that "everyone" was aware of the financier's actions. This revelation appears to directly contradict the former president's repeated assertions that he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Contradictory Claims Emerge from Epstein Files
The document, released as part of the latest batch of Epstein files, contains a written record of a 2019 FBI interview with a former Palm Beach police chief. According to the FBI summary, Trump reportedly told authorities in July 2006: "Thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this."
This statement stands in stark contrast to Trump's public comments following Epstein's 2019 arrest for sex trafficking, when he told reporters: "No, I had no idea. I had no idea. I haven't spoken to him in many, many years."
Detailed Allegations from the FBI Interview
The FBI document provides several specific allegations about Trump's communications with law enforcement regarding Epstein:
- Trump allegedly told police that "people in New York knew Epstein was disgusting"
- He claimed to have thrown Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club
- Trump reportedly told authorities he was once around Epstein when he was with teenagers and that he "got the hell out of there"
- He allegedly described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein's "operative" and said "she is evil and to focus on her"
According to the document, Trump was "one of the very first people to call" police when he learned they were investigating Epstein.
Historical Context of Trump-Epstein Relationship
Trump and Epstein moved in similar social circles in Florida and New York for many years, with photographic evidence showing them together on multiple occasions during the 1990s and early 2000s. In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy" and "a lot of fun to be with," adding that "it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
Following Epstein's death in 2019, Trump downplayed their relationship, stating he "knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him" but had experienced a "falling out" with him approximately 15 years prior.
Official Responses and Corroboration Questions
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed questions about the alleged 2006 call, stating it "may or may not have happened" but adding that if it did occur, it "corroborates exactly what President Trump has said from the beginning" about having removed Epstein from Mar-a-Lago.
A Department of Justice official told NBC News that authorities are "not aware of any corroborating evidence that the president contacted law enforcement 20 years ago." Meanwhile, former Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter, who reportedly took the call from Trump, has declined to comment on the matter, stating he is "not participating in interviews at this time."
Broader Investigation Background
The investigation into Epstein began in Florida in 2006 following allegations of sexual exploitation of underage girls. Epstein ultimately agreed to a controversial plea deal with prosecutors in 2008 that allowed him to avoid more serious federal charges. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking and recently refused to answer questions at a congressional hearing.
This latest revelation from the Epstein files adds another layer to the complex relationship between Trump and Epstein, raising questions about what was known about Epstein's behaviour and when various individuals became aware of his criminal activities.
