Connection Details

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein had a documented social and professional connection spanning several decades, primarily rooted in their shared presence in elite social circles in New York and Palm Beach. Their relationship began in the late 1980s, with Trump later stating in a 2002 New York Magazine interview that he had known Epstein for '15 years' and described him as a 'terrific guy' who liked 'beautiful women as much as I do, many of them on the younger side.' They were photographed together at events, including a 1992 party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and other social gatherings in the 1990s. Epstein’s flight logs for the 'Lolita Express' show Trump flew on the plane at least seven times between 1993 and 1997, often between Palm Beach and New York, as documented in court records from the Giuffre v. Maxwell case. Locations of interaction include Mar-a-Lago, where Epstein was a frequent guest, and New York City events. Financially, there is no verified evidence of direct transactions, though both men moved in circles involving real estate and high finance. They shared associates like Ghislaine Maxwell, who attended Trump events, and lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who represented both at different times. Victim testimonies, including those from Virginia Giuffre, do not directly implicate Trump in Epstein’s criminal activities, though Giuffre’s 2015 deposition mentions Trump as a social acquaintance of Epstein. Trump distanced himself post-Epstein’s 2006 charges, stating in 2019 he was 'not a fan' and had a falling out over a property bid in Palm Beach around 2004. News investigations, notably by the Miami Herald and NYT, confirm their social ties but find no evidence of Trump’s involvement in Epstein’s trafficking network. The 2024-2025 DOJ document releases mention Trump in passing (approximately 14 times) in relation to social events, not criminal acts. Their connection remains primarily social, with no verified legal or criminal overlap.

Evidence & Documents (6)

About the Entities

Donald Trump

person

Former US President (2017-2021). Known social acquaintance of Epstein in the 1990s-2000s. Famously quoted saying Epstein "likes beautiful women as much as I do, many on the younger side." Later claimed he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. No direct allegations of wrongdoing.

View full profile →

Jeffrey Epstein

person

American financier and convicted sex offender. Founder of J. Epstein & Co. Arrested in July 2019 on federal charges for sex trafficking of minors. Died in custody in August 2019.

View full profile →