Donald Trump & Jeffrey Epstein: A Timeline of Statements
This timeline compiles public statements made by Donald Trump concerning Jeffrey Epstein or the Epstein files, with links to original sources.
"You've got to tell 'em no"
- Katt Williams
Desktop: Use Arrow Keys to rotate & Spacebar to shoot.
Mobile: Tap to aim and shoot.
Video footage shows Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein chatting at a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
Source: KREM.com (NBC News footage)
Jeffrey Epstein reportedly attended Donald Trump's wedding to Marla Maples at New York's Plaza Hotel.
"No, no. She's not here for you."
Alleged statement by Epstein to Trump, as recounted by artist Maria Farmer, during an encounter in Epstein's Manhattan office where Trump allegedly stared at her legs.
Source: Times of India (reporting on Maria Farmer's account to NYT)
Raw video footage from a Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York shows Trump and Epstein in conversation ahead of the runway event.
"I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life."
During an interview with New York Magazine for a profile on Jeffrey Epstein.
Source: Texas Public Radio, Times of India (quoting CNN/New York Magazine)
"As mysterious as Jeffrey is, he's one of the few people I know who can get by on just a first name."
From his book, "Trump: How To Get Rich," referring to "the mysterious Jeffrey."
Reported falling out with Epstein over a real estate dispute involving a Palm Beach mansion.
Source: The Yale Review, Times of India
Trump reportedly cut ties with Epstein around the time of Epstein's first arrest on state-level charges in Florida.
Source: Times of India
"Nice guy. Got a lot of problems coming up in my opinion with the famous island with Jeffrey Epstein. A lot of problems."
Remarks made at CPAC when asked about former President Bill Clinton, linking him to Epstein's island.
Source: Time Magazine
An accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump's Atlantic City casino, though she did not say she met Trump or accuse him of wrongdoing.
Source: AP News
"As I have previously explained, he had no relationship with Mr. Epstein and had no knowledge whatsoever of his conduct. This has all been reported countless times in the press."
Statement from Trump Organization attorney Alan Garten to Politico, denying a relationship between Trump and Epstein.
Source: Time Magazine
"Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him. I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years."
Responding to reporters after Jeffrey Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.
Source: KREM.com (NBC News footage), AP News
"I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you."
Statement made in the Oval Office the day after Epstein's arrest.
"He was a good salesman. He was a hailing, hearty type of guy. He had some nice assets that he'd throw around like islands, but a lot of big people went to that island. But fortunately, I was not one of them."
During an interview on the Lex Fridman podcast, discussing Jeffrey Epstein.
"I do wish her well. I'm not looking for anything bad for her."
Statement regarding Ghislaine Maxwell after her arrest.
Source: Rev.com (Axios Interview Transcript), House.gov (Michael Wolff Tapes transcript)
"Yeah, yeah, I would. I guess I would. I think that less so, because you don't know — You don't want to affect people's lives if there's phony stuff in there, because there's a lot of phony stuff in that whole world. But I think I would, or at least—"
Response on "Fox & Friends" when asked if he would declassify the Epstein files.
Source: Time Magazine
"Yeah, I'd certainly take a look at it. … Yeah, I'd be inclined to do the Epstein, I'd have no problem with it."
More assertive statement on Lex Fridman's podcast regarding releasing Epstein's client list.
Source: Time Magazine
"I'd seek to open the government's Epstein files."
Campaign promise during his presidential run, indicating a desire to release information related to the Epstein case.
Source: AP News
"Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. ... and are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable. Do you want to waste the time on it do you feel like answering i I don't mind answering i mean I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein at a time like this where we're having some of the greatest. success and and also tragedy with what happened in Texas it just seems uh like a desecration."
Remarks made during a White House Cabinet meeting, responding to a reporter's question about Epstein files after the Justice Department announced no "client list" existed and no more files would be made public.
Source: Yahoo News, PolitiFact, Video Link (YouTube)
"Let's not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about."
Truth Social post, expressing frustration with supporters focusing on Epstein and defending Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Source: CBS News, PBS NewsHour
"The Jeffrey Epstein files 'were made up by Comey. They were made up by Obama. They were made up by Biden.'"
Statement made during a press interaction, claiming the Epstein files were fabricated by political opponents.
Source: PolitiFact
"Trump says Epstein case is a 'scam', lashing out at his supporters."
Statement made while distancing himself from supporters pushing for the release of government files on Epstein.
Source: Getty Images, Video Link (YouTube)
"I don't understand it, why they would be so interested. He's been dead for a long time. He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don't understand what the fascination is. I really don't. And the credible information has been given."
Remarks made to reporters, expressing bewilderment at the ongoing public interest in the Epstein case, calling it "sordid, but boring."
Source: Anadolu Agency
"This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story. I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women. It's not my language. It's not my words."
Truth Social post denying writing a sexually suggestive letter for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, and announcing a lawsuit against WSJ and Rupert Murdoch.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Politico
"Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!"
Truth Social post directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case.
"The Radical Left Democrats are doing everything in their power to distract and obfuscate from our GREAT six months of service to America... They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM."
Truth Social post, blaming Democrats for the renewed focus on Epstein and calling it a "scam."
"No, I was never, never briefed, no." (Denying being briefed on his name in Epstein files). "You're making a very big thing about something that's not a big thing. You should be talking about Bill Clinton! He went to the island 28 times. I never went to the island. I don't even know what they're talking about. Focus on the former president of Harvard, some of the hedge fund guys. I'll give you the list. These guys lived with Jeffrey."
Remarks made to reporters, denying being informed about his name appearing in Epstein files and deflecting attention to other prominent figures, while also stating he would provide a list of Epstein associates.
"He stole people that worked for me... [The women were] taken out of the spa, hired by him — in other words, gone... I said, listen, we don't want you taking our people... When it happened again... I said, 'Out of here.'"
Aboard Air Force One, Trump gave a new reason for his falling out with Epstein, stating he banned him from Mar-a-Lago for "stealing" female employees from the spa. When asked if accuser Virginia Giuffre was one of them, Trump said, "he stole her."
Source: AP News