Trump-Epstein Relationship Timeline and Trump's Statements Regarding Their Rift
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In the late 1980s, President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier, first crossed paths. Their relationship would span over two decades, marked by a series of encounters and allegations.
Throughout the 1990s, Trump took at least eight flights on Epstein's private jet, according to flight logs. In October 2002, Trump told New York Magazine that Epstein is a "terrific guy."
Their friendship seemed to remain strong until 2007, when Trump allegedly banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago due to Epstein hitting on another member's daughter. However, the specific reason for their falling out became clearer in July 2025, when Trump stated that Epstein "stole" young women who worked at the spa in Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, despite being explicitly warned not to poach his employees.
This action soured their relationship and led to a 15-year cessation of contact, which ended with Epstein's arrest in 2019. During this time, Epstein attended Trump's wedding to Marla Maples in December 1993 and was photographed with Trump at various events, including a Victoria's Secret "Angels" Party in 1997 and Mar-a-Lago that year.
In 2000, Trump and Melania were photographed with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago. Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein, was charged with federal crimes for helping recruit underage girls for Epstein and participating in the abuse herself in July 2020. A jury convicts Maxwell of these charges in December 2021.
In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida, including procuring a child for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution, and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. In February 2017, Trump nominated Alexander Acosta, who was the U.S. attorney who oversaw Epstein's 2008 plea deal, for secretary of labor. Following Epstein's arrest, Acosta resigned from his position amid renewed criticism of his alleged mishandling of the Epstein case on July 12, 2019.
Trump and Epstein's relationship, however, was not without controversy. In 1993, Stacey Williams, a former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, alleged that Trump groped her in front of Epstein when she visited Trump Tower. Trump has consistently denied these allegations.
In 2015, Trump pushed the Epstein conspiracy connection, claiming the involvement of former President Bill Clinton on stage at CPAC. In the Oval Office on July 9, 2019, Trump reiterated that he hasn't spoken to Epstein in 15 years and that the two had a "falling out."
Epstein was arrested in New York on federal sex trafficking charges on July 6, 2019. According to Social Security records, Virginia Giuffre, an accuser of Epstein, was employed at Mar-A-Lago Club LLC in 2000 and earned $1,866.50 during that calendar year.
The intricate web of relationships and allegations surrounding Trump and Epstein continues to be a topic of public interest and investigation. As new information comes to light, the story of their relationship will undoubtedly continue to evolve.
[1] [https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/politics/trump-epstein-relationship-timeline/index.html] [2] [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/07/us/politics/trump-epstein-relationship.html]
- The relationship between President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a renowned financier, spanned over two decades, encompassing sports, politics, entertainment, and crime-and-justice.
- Despite the controversy, Trump maintained a friendly opinion towards Epstein, calling him a "terrific guy" in 2002, but their friendship deteriorated in 2007 over allegations of Epstein's inappropriate behavior.
- Investigative reports unveiled that Trump took at least eight flights on Epstein's private jet in the 1990s and attended various events with Epstein and his associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell.
- Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein, was involved in the recruiting of underage girls for Epstein and was convicted of federal crimes in December 2021.
- Epstein's crimes, including procuring a child for prostitution, were brought to light in 2008, leading to his jail sentence. However, the initial leniency in Epstein's justice system, overseen by Alexander Acosta, became a matter of extensive investigation and public scrutiny.
- The video footage, news articles, and court documents detailing the web of relationships, allegations, and controversies involving Trump, Epstein, Maxwell, and other celebrities continues to be a subject of general-news and investigative journalism, shedding light on the complexities of power, politics, and crime.
