On Monday, former President Donald Trump elaborated on the deteriorating relationship he had with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to reporters during a working visit to Scotland, Trump responded to ongoing inquiries about Epstein and the handling of documents related to the infamous sex trafficking case. His comments come as questions surrounding Epstein and his associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell, continue to dominate headlines.
During a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Trump's golf property in Turnberry, he was pressed about the possibility of granting a pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell. Notably, Trump did not dismiss the idea entirely. "Well, I'm allowed to give her a pardon," he stated. However, he added, "nobody's approached me with it, nobody's asked me about it." Trump emphasized that discussing the matter further would be inappropriate at this time.
Maxwell, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in sex trafficking, reportedly met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last week. Sources from ABC News indicate that it was Maxwell who initiated the discussions, and she was granted limited immunity during the talks. Though Blanche has not disclosed the specifics of the nearly nine-hour interview, he mentioned that more information would be made available at an appropriate time. Maxwell's attorney has stated that she was questioned about approximately 100 individuals during their meetings.
When asked about his prior interactions with Epstein, Trump described a significant falling out. "For years, I wouldn't talk to Jeffrey Epstein," Trump remarked. He recounted an incident where he confronted Epstein for inappropriate behavior and said, "I said, 'don't ever do that again.' He stole people that worked for me. I said, 'don't ever do that again.' He did it again, and I threw him out of the place persona non-grata." Trump expressed satisfaction with his decision, stating, "I'm glad I did, if you want to know the truth."
While Trump did not provide extensive details, he has previously faced allegations from Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser who tragically died by suicide in April. Giuffre alleged that Maxwell recruited her while she was working at Mar-a-Lago in 2000 and introduced her to Epstein for illicit activities. Trump also reiterated that he has never visited Epstein's infamous island, instead noting that many high-profile individuals, including former President Bill Clinton, have been linked to it. Clinton has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein's crimes.
Trump also addressed a Wall Street Journal report that claimed he sent Epstein a letter featuring a drawing of a naked woman for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump vehemently denied this, stating, "I don’t do drawings. I’m not a drawing person." He has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, asserting that the letter does not exist. The Journal's parent company, Dow Jones, has expressed confidence in the accuracy of their reporting and plans to defend against Trump's lawsuit.
Amidst these controversies, House Democrats have requested access to the alleged birthday book that purportedly includes Trump's letter. An attorney representing numerous Epstein victims has stated that the estate holds this book. However, as of now, ABC News has not confirmed the existence of the letter in question.
In his remarks, Trump also characterized the ongoing scrutiny of his ties to Epstein as a hoax orchestrated by political adversaries, including current President Joe Biden and former FBI Director James Comey. "I haven't been overly interested in it," Trump said regarding the Epstein files, labeling the situation as a controversy that has been "built up way beyond proportion."
Trump's reflections on his relationship with Epstein and potential pardon considerations for Maxwell highlight the complexities and ongoing ramifications of this high-profile case, which continues to capture public attention.
