Newly released emails suggest that Jeffrey Epstein claimed Donald Trump had knowledge of his interactions with underage girls and had spent significant time at Epstein’s residence with one of the victims. These bombshell messages, disclosed by the House Oversight Committee, imply that Prince Andrew’s associate believed that the U.S. president was aware of his exploitation of minors, contradicting Trump’s repeated disavowals.
Despite Trump’s consistent denial of being informed about Epstein’s criminal activities, asserting a falling out with Epstein years prior to the latter’s suicide in 2019, Democrats point to the correspondence obtained by the committee as raising fresh doubts about Trump’s awareness and timing of events. Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s leading Democrat, commented on the emails, highlighting concerns about the undisclosed White House information and the relationship between Epstein and Trump.
In one of the emails from 2011, Epstein referred to Trump as “the dog that hasn’t barked” in a message to Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of trafficking minors. Another email in January 2019 to author Michael Wolff stated that Trump was aware of the girls and had requested Maxwell to cease her actions. These revelations surfaced as part of a congressional probe into the Epstein files and the alleged lack of transparency by the Trump administration.
The released emails shed light on the once close relationship between Epstein and Trump, who were prominent figures in Palm Beach, Florida, during the 1990s and early 2000s. Their friendship reportedly deteriorated around 2004 following a disagreement over a property deal. Trump accused Epstein of hiring spa employees from his Mar-a-Lago resort, including Virginia Giuffre, who later accused Prince Andrew of sexual misconduct, a charge the royal has repeatedly denied.
Giuffre asserted that she was recruited by Epstein while working at Mar-a-Lago as a teenager. Trump has refuted any involvement in illicit activities. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was re-arrested in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking minors and subsequently died in jail, officially ruled a suicide, though surrounded by conspiracy theories.
The release of these emails adds to the scrutiny faced by Trump regarding the Epstein-related materials during his presidency. Democrats have accused Trump of concealing crucial information to shield associates and contributors associated with Epstein. The Democrats are pushing for a House motion requiring the Trump administration to unveil all documents linked to Epstein and Maxwell.
The emails show Epstein’s awareness of the potential repercussions of his association with Trump, especially as Trump gained political prominence. In a conversation in 2015, Epstein sought advice on how to handle questions about their friendship, indicating that Trump’s response could be politically advantageous or detrimental. Trump was not asked about his connection with Epstein during the debate, and the subsequent actions following the exchange remain unclear.
These emails, penned post-Epstein’s 2008 legal settlement in Florida, offer insight into Epstein’s perspectives, portraying Trump as both a liability and an asset. Maxwell, currently serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking, reportedly discussed seeking clemency from Trump. The mounting pressure for full disclosure of the Epstein archives intensifies with her appeal and the unveiling of these messages.
The Oversight Committee has only released selective excerpts of the emails, redacting victims’ identities and details, leaving the contents of the unrevealed documents shrouded in mystery.
