Trump-Epstein Ties: Allegations, Lawsuits, and Unfulfilled Promises
Trump's directive followed a year of unfulfilled campaign promises to declassify all Epstein files, which had fueled expectations among MAGA supporters for a supposed 'client list' exposing elite involvement in Epstein's crimes.Epstein-Trump FriendshipJeffrey Epstein was a financier and convicted sex offender who ran a sex-trafficking operation targeting minors, primarily in the 1990s and 2000s, until his arrest in 2019 and subsequent suicide. Donald Trump, then a real estate mogul and media personality, was a prominent figure in New York's elite social scene during the same period.Their relationship began in the late 1980s in New York, where both moved in similar high-society circles. By 1987, they were acquaintances, as Trump later noted in 2002 that he had known Epstein for 15 years. Their bond grew through shared interests in wealth, status, and socializing, with Epstein becoming a frequent guest at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where they were neighbors. Photos and media from the era, including a 1992 NBC video of a Mar-a-Lago party with NFL cheerleaders, show them laughing and commenting on women, underscoring their close social ties.The Fallout: Trump and Epstein's friendship ended in 2004 over a competitive bidding war for an oceanfront Palm Beach mansion sold out of bankruptcy. Trump won the property, outbidding Epstein.Trump later claimed he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, though no specific date or evidence confirms this. Some speculate Epstein believed Trump tipped off Palm Beach police, who received a report about young women at Epstein's home in November 2004, leading to a 2005 investigation. No evidence supports this theory.Evidence of their interactionsThe 1990s marked the peak of their friendship, documented through social events. They were photographed together at events like a 1997 Victoria's Secret 'Angels' party in New York and multiple Mar-a-Lago gatherings. The 1992 NBC footage shows Trump whispering to Epstein at a Mar-a-Lago party, with Trump calling one woman 'hot.'advertisementFlight Logs: Court documents from Epstein aide Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 trial reveal Trump flew on Epstein's private jet, dubbed the 'Lolita Express,' many times between 1993 and 1994, typically between New York and Florida. Passengers sometimes included Marla Maples (Trump's then-wife), their daughter Tiffany, a nanny, and possibly Maxwell (listed as 'GM'). No evidence places Trump on flights to Epstein's Little St. James island, where much of the abuse occurred.Testimony: Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim, was recruited by Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in 2000 at age 16 but testified in 2016 that she never saw Trump engage in abuse. Another accuser, 'Jane,' testified in Maxwell's trial that Epstein took her to Mar-a-Lago at age 14 in the 1990s to meet Trump, but no misconduct by Trump was alleged.Alleged Casino Incident: In 2017, tapes released by Michael Wolff in 2024, Epstein claimed he and Trump frequented Atlantic City casinos to 'pick up women,' describing a strategy where they separated women from male companions. Epstein alleged Trump took a woman to an 'Egyptian Room' and later boasted about it. These claims are unverified, and Trump's campaign dismissed Wolff as a 'disgraced writer' prone to fabrications.advertisementThe flight logs and social events confirm a close relationship but not criminal activity. The Wolff tapes, while revealing Epstein's perspective, lack corroboration and rely on a questionable source.Specific allegations against TrumpSeveral allegations have surfaced, but none have been substantiated with credible evidence. In 2024, former model Stacey Williams alleged that in late winter or early spring 1993, Epstein, whom she briefly dated, took her to Trump's Fifth Avenue penthouse. She claimed Trump groped her while smiling at Epstein, describing it as a 'twisted game.' Epstein later reportedly berated her for allowing it. Trump denied it, and no corroborating evidence has been made public.2017 Wolff Tapes: In recordings released in 2024, Epstein told journalist Michael Wolff he was Trump's 'closest friend for 10 years,' alleging shared activities like pursuing women in Atlantic City and Trump sleeping with Melania on the 'Lolita Express.' He also claimed Trump pursued friends' wives and discussed his management style. Trump's campaign called these 'false smears' by a 'disgraced writer,' and no evidence supports Epstein's claims.Elon Musk's Claim: In June 2025, Musk posted on X that Trump was named in sealed Epstein files, suggesting this explained their non-disclosure. He provided no evidence, later deleted the post, and Trump refuted it, citing Epstein's former lawyer, David Schoen, who said Epstein had no incriminating information on Trump.advertisementUnverified Photos: A 2021 Vanity Fair article cited an Epstein associate claiming Epstein showed photos of Trump with a topless young girl and another with two young girls. These photos have never been released or verified.2003 Birthday Letter: The Wall Street Journal's July 17, 2025, article alleged Trump contributed a suggestive letter to Epstein's 2003 birthday album, with a naked woman's sketch and lines like, 'Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey May every day be another wonderful secret.'Trump denied authorship, filed a $10 billion libel lawsuit, and claimed the letter was fabricated.Trump's role in Epstein CaseAfter Epstein's 2005 investigation and 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, Trump distanced himself. In 2009, Brad Edwards, an attorney for Epstein's victims, stated Trump was the only prominent figure who willingly spoke with him, providing information about Epstein, suggesting cooperation with victims' legal efforts.By 2019, when Epstein was arrested on federal charges, Trump told reporters he was 'not a fan,' citing their 2004 fallout and claiming no contact for 15 years. He briefly retweeted a conspiracy theory linking Epstein's death to Bill Clinton but later backed away from such claims. Trump's 2024 campaign included promises to declassify Epstein files.advertisementIn July 6, 2025, the Justice Department issued a memo stating no 'client list' existed, confirmed Epstein's 2019 death as a suicide, and closed further disclosures. This sparked outrage, with supporters like Jack Posobiec and Megyn Kelly demanding Bondi's resignation and some burning MAGA hats. Reports emerged of tensions between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, a former podcast host who pushed Epstein conspiracies and threatened to resign.In response, Trump called the Epstein controversy a 'Democratic hoax,' defended Bondi, and urged supporters to move on, claiming 'nobody cares' about the issue.Is Trump in Trouble?As of July 19, 2025, no credible evidence implicates Trump in Epstein's sex-trafficking or abuse. The Justice Department's July 6, 2025 memo ruled out a 'client list', and Epstein's 2019 death was ruled a suicide.Public and political pressure for full disclosure continues, driven by distrust and conspiracy theories. Trump's directive to release 2019 grand jury testimony is pending court approval, but it is separate from broader FBI files and may not address all demands for transparency. The grand jury testimony's potential release may clarify some aspects, but without broader disclosure, speculation will persist.The Wall Street Journal's allegations and Trump's response have intensified divisions within his base. Analysts note that the $10 billion libel lawsuit against the Journal and Rupert Murdoch is a high-stakes gamble, potentially drawing more attention to Trump's past ties with Epstein.Political strategist Steve Bannon's estimate of a possible 10% loss of Trump's base and up to 40 House seats reflects concerns that unfulfilled promises to declassify Epstein files could alienate supporters, particularly if court proceedings reveal damaging details. However, MAGA figures like Laura Loomer and Charlie Kirk have rallied supporters by framing the WSJ report as a 'deep state' attack.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
26 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump releases FBI files on Martin Luther King Jr despite family's opposition
The Trump administration has declassified and released over 240,000 pages of FBI surveillance files on Martin Luther King Jr, drawing strong opposition from his family and civil rights leaders who warn the records must be handled with care and historical context read more The Trump administration has made public over 240,000 pages of FBI surveillance records on Martin Luther King Jr., despite opposition from his family and the civil rights group he once led. The files, kept under seal since 1977, were handed over to the National Archives decades ago but only now released in digital form. King's children, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King, called the release deeply personal, reminding the public that their father's assassination remains a source of ongoing grief. They urged people to read the files with 'empathy, restraint, and historical context.' The family, who reviewed the documents ahead of the public release, also reiterated their long-standing belief that James Earl Ray, the man convicted for the assassination, wasn't solely responsible—if responsible at all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bernice was just 5 when her father was killed in 1968; Martin III was 10. The release, described as 'unprecedented' by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's office, follows a 2017 executive order by President Donald Trump to declassify documents related to the assassinations of MLK, John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy. While some hail it as a move toward transparency, others see it as a political distraction amid controversy surrounding Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Alveda King, MLK's niece and a vocal conservative, thanked Trump for the disclosure. However, many civil rights leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, criticized the move, calling it a diversion tactic rather than a pursuit of justice. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference also opposed the release, citing the FBI's history of illegal surveillance and smear campaigns against King and other civil rights activists. Under J. Edgar Hoover's leadership, the FBI wiretapped King's phones, bugged hotel rooms, and used informants to undermine his work. King's children condemned those tactics, saying their father was the target of a 'relentless and disturbing' campaign to destroy both his reputation and the broader Civil Rights Movement. They said they support historical transparency but warned against using the files to distort King's legacy or spread misinformation. In his later years, King expanded his focus from civil rights to economic justice and opposition to the Vietnam War, drawing criticism from political leaders and suspicion from the FBI, which viewed him as a threat to the status quo. He was assassinated in Memphis in 1968 while supporting striking sanitation workers—a reflection of his deepening commitment to social and economic equality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
26 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump will 'crush economy' of India, China, Brazil with tariffs over Russian oil import: US Senator
US Senator Lindsey Graham has warned that Trump is planning tough economic action against countries still importing oil from Russia, naming India, China, and Brazil as top targets. read more Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enter a hall for a family photo before a plenary session of the BRICS 2024 Summit in Kazan, Russia, October 23, 2024. File Image/Reuters US Senator Lindsey Graham has said that President Donald Trump is preparing to slap hefty tariffs on nations continuing to buy Russian oil, with India, China, and Brazil in the crosshairs. Speaking to Fox News, Graham stated that Trump intends to impose a 100 per cent tariff on oil-related imports from these countries in a bid to choke off revenue to Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'Trump is going to impose tariffs on people that buy Russian oil – China, India, and Brazil,' Graham said, pointing out that these three nations are responsible for nearly 80 per cent of Russia's crude exports, which he claims are funding Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Graham, the move is part of Trump's broader strategy to hold countries accountable for indirectly supporting Russia's war machine. 'President Trump's going to put a 100 per cent tariff on all those countries, punishing them for helping Putin,' he said. Graham said, 'You have played President Trump at your own peril. You made a major league mistake, and your economy is going to continue to be crushed. We're flowing weapons to Ukraine, so Ukraine will have the weapons to fight Putin back.' Senator Lindsey Graham accused Vladimir Putin of attempting to rebuild the Soviet empire by forcefully seizing neighboring nations. 'Putin is trying to reclaim countries that are not his,' Graham said, adding that the Russian leader has shown blatant disregard for international agreements. He pointed to Ukraine's decision in the mid-1990s to surrender over 1,700 nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances, including a commitment from Russia to respect its sovereignty. 'Putin shattered that promise,' Graham noted, calling it a betrayal of the post-Cold War order.
NDTV
41 minutes ago
- NDTV
White House Bans Wall Street Journal From Covering Trump Over Epstein Story
The White House on Monday barred The Wall Street Journal from traveling with US President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to Scotland, after the newspaper reported that he wrote a bawdy birthday message to his former friend, alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes after Trump on Friday sued the WSJ and its media magnate owner Rupert Murdoch for at least $10 billion over the allegation in the article, which Trump denies. The Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case has threatened to split the Republican's far-right Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, with some of his supporters calling for a full release of the so-called "Epstein Files." The punishment of the Wall Street Journal marks at least the second time the Trump administration has moved to exclude a major news outlet from the press pool over its reporting, having barred Associated Press journalists from multiple key events since February. "As the appeals court confirmed, The Wall Street Journal or any other news outlet are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and in his private workspaces," said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. "Due to The Wall Street Journal's fake and defamatory conduct, they will not be one of the thirteen outlets on board (Air Force One)." Trump departs this weekend for Scotland, where he owns two golf resorts and will meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Earlier this month, the US Department of Justice, under Trump-appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi, said there was no evidence suggesting disgraced financier Epstein had kept a "client list" or was blackmailing powerful figures before his death in 2019. In its story on Thursday, the WSJ reported that Trump had written a suggestive birthday letter to Epstein in 2003, illustrated with a naked woman and alluding to a shared "secret." Epstein, a longtime friend of Trump and multiple other high-profile men, was found hanging dead in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually exploited dozens of underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida. The case sparked conspiracy theories, especially among Trump's far-right voters, about an alleged international cabal of wealthy pedophiles. Epstein's death -- declared a suicide -- before he could face trial supercharged that narrative. Since returning to power in January, Trump has moved to increase control over the press covering the White House. In February, the Oval Office stripped the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) of its nearly century-old authority to oversee which outlets have access to certain restricted presidential events, with Trump saying that he was now "calling the shots" on media access. In a statement, the WHCA president urged the White House to "restore" the Journal to the pool. "This attempt by the White House to punish a media outlet whose coverage it does not like is deeply troubling, and it defies the First Amendment," said WHCA President Weijia Jiang. "Government retaliation against news outlets based on the content of their reporting should concern all who value free speech and an independent media."
