Donald Trump has repeatedly responded to questions and rumours about his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a financier charged with sex trafficking and the sexual abuse of minors. Today, Trump is seeking damages for alleged defamation.
What connects Trump and Epstein?
Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein met in the late 1980s as part of the social elite of Palm Beach and New York. They attended parties, receptions and social events together. Their relationship was open, and photographs of their meetings circulated in the media.
Trump spoke about Epstein in a 2002 interview: „I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Nice guy. It’s said he loves beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side”.
Trump’s name appears in Epstein’s famous „black book” of contacts, as well as in flight logs for his private plane, although there is no public evidence that he took part in any illegal activity.
The early 2000s brought a cooling of the relationship. Trump has said their paths parted in 2004 during a dispute over a luxury property in Palm Beach. After the first reports of Epstein’s criminal activity, Trump openly distanced himself from him: „I was not a fan of Epstein and I haven’t spoken to him in 15 years”.
Distancing himself from the affair
At a press conference, Trump was asked about Epstein, and responded with apparent surprise that the topic had been raised for years, saying he did not understand why it kept coming back, especially at a time when he was dealing with other important issues and achieving success. He also criticised media interest in the matter, calling it „boring” and „disgusting” and suggesting that it was pursued mainly by „very bad people” and „fake news”.
Trump also rejects suggestions of any connection to the Epstein affair. When journalists brought up past public links, including photos from a wedding of Trump’s at which Epstein was present, he calls them „fake news” and ends the conversation. In the past, Trump acknowledged that he knew Epstein and even said he had banned him from his club for inappropriate behaviour, but he firmly denies being involved in any crimes.
Damages worth billions
Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking damages against the journalists and publisher of „The Wall Street Journal” and Rupert Murdoch for at least $10 billion. The lawsuit concerns an article suggesting that Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein a letter in 2003 with a drawing of a woman in a bikini, which was meant to indicate close ties between them. Trump denies that the letter is authentic and describes it as a forgery. He believes the publication was defamatory and harmed his reputation and career.
In retaliation for the publication, Trump’s administration revoked the accreditation of one of the „The Wall Street Journal” reporters for a flight aboard Air Force One to Scotland, while Trump himself publicly called the newsroom „garbage” and announced that Murdoch would have to be questioned in court.
