Former President Donald Trump has stated that his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ended after Epstein allegedly recruited young women who worked at the spa in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
Trump made the comments while traveling back from Scotland, where he faced renewed scrutiny over his past ties to Epstein. According to Trump, he confronted Epstein after learning he had approached employees at the club. “He took people who worked for me,” Trump said. “Once he did that, that was it.”
The remarks come as Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, has signaled she would only testify before Congress under strict legal protections. Currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, Maxwell was subpoenaed to appear before lawmakers next month. However, her legal team has insisted she would require immunity or a pardon before cooperating.
Trump elaborated on his earlier statements, confirming that Epstein had recruited young women from the Mar-a-Lago spa, including Virginia Giuffre, who later accused Epstein and others of sexual abuse. Giuffre, who died earlier this year, had previously claimed she was introduced to Epstein through Maxwell while working at the resort.
The former president has maintained that he distanced himself from Epstein in the early 2000s, citing inappropriate behavior. Last week, his team reiterated that Epstein was banned from Mar-a-Lago for misconduct.
Meanwhile, pressure mounts on Trump and his administration to release documents related to Epstein. Despite past promises to disclose information, no incriminating “client list” has been made public. Reports indicate Trump’s name appeared in Justice Department files concerning Epstein, though this does not imply wrongdoing.
Epstein, who was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, died in prison before trial. Maxwell was later convicted for her role in facilitating his crimes.
As speculation continues over whether Maxwell might receive clemency, Trump has remained noncommittal, stating he has not seriously considered the matter. Congressional leaders, however, have dismissed the idea of granting her immunity for testimony.
The case continues to fuel debate, with lingering questions about the extent of Epstein’s network and the unresolved allegations surrounding his associates.
