Trump and Epstein: Everything We Know From the Latest Documents, Emails, and Investigations

‎Donald Trump’s past connection to Jeffrey Epstein has reemerged in public debate following the congressional release of more than 20,000 documents related to the late financier’s criminal investigations. The records include correspondence referencing Trump, reigniting questions about their long and complex association that spanned decades.
‎Donald Trump faces renewed scrutiny over his long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after Congress releases 20,000 new case documents.
‎Davidoff Studios/Getty Images
‎During a July press exchange, Trump reacted sharply to questions about Epstein, calling him “this creep” and expressing frustration that the topic persists. Yet, renewed attention to Epstein’s network and the push to release all government-held materials continue to dominate public discussion. Polls indicate that nearly three-quarters of Americans favor full transparency in the Epstein case.
‎A Friendship That Began in Palm Beach
‎Trump and Epstein first crossed paths in the late 1980s as wealthy neighbors in Palm Beach, Florida. Both were fixtures in elite social circles, frequently appearing together at private events and parties. Former Trump Plaza executive Jack O’Donnell told CNN that the two men shared a close friendship during that period, claiming they often spent time together in Atlantic City.
‎A well-known video from a 1992 Mar-a-Lago party shows Trump and Epstein conversing and gesturing toward women on the dance floor. Epstein also attended Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples, and flight logs later confirmed that Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet several times between 1993 and 1997.
‎Images, Events, and a Birthday Letter
‎Public appearances linking Trump to Epstein include a 1997 Victoria’s Secret event and a 2000 Mar-a-Lago fundraiser attended by Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. A 2002 New York Magazine profile featured Trump describing Epstein as a “terrific guy” who “likes beautiful women as much as I do.”
‎Among the items released by the House Oversight Committee in September was a 2003 birthday scrapbook containing a note allegedly signed by Trump, featuring a nude sketch and personal remarks to Epstein. Trump denied writing it, calling it a fabrication.
‎Break in Friendship and Legal Fallout
‎The relationship reportedly deteriorated in 2004 after a property dispute over a Palm Beach mansion. Trump has claimed that he later banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for inappropriate behavior toward a member’s teenage daughter. By 2007, Epstein had been indicted for solicitation of prostitution and subsequently registered as a sex offender following a controversial plea deal with federal prosecutors.
‎The connection resurfaced during Trump’s presidency when Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta faced backlash for having negotiated that earlier plea deal. Acosta resigned shortly after Epstein’s 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.
‎Allegations and Distancing
‎Trump has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. However, a 2016 lawsuit, later withdrawn, accused both men of assaulting a minor in 1994. Other claims, including a 2024 allegation by former model Stacey Williams, have further fueled scrutiny. Trump’s campaign dismissed those accusations as false.
‎Following Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody, Trump called for an investigation but also amplified theories suggesting foul play. He later offered public well-wishes to Maxwell during her 2020 arrest and conviction, a comment that drew widespread criticism.
‎The Epstein Files Controversy
‎During Trump’s 2024 campaign, he pledged to declassify all Epstein-related documents. Once back in office, Attorney General Pam Bondi distributed binders titled The Epstein Files: Phase One to online influencers, though they contained only information already in the public domain. The move prompted backlash from Trump supporters expecting new disclosures.
‎Later revelations confirmed that the Justice Department had informed Trump his name appeared in the files, contradicting his earlier claims. Emails released in November 2025 contained Epstein’s remarks about Trump, including statements that the former president “spent hours” at his home and “knew about the girls.”
‎Political Fallout and Continuing Questions
‎White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the new documents as distractions, while Trump blamed Democrats for reviving what he called the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.” Reports indicate that he privately urged Republican lawmakers to move away from the issue as Congress prepared a bill mandating full disclosure of the remaining files.
‎House Speaker Mike Johnson also faced controversy for delaying the swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva, which postponed a potential vote on the measure. With Grijalva’s induction on November 12, the bill now appears poised for renewed debate.

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