President Donald Trump revealed that a dispute over employees contributed to his falling out with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to reporters in Scotland on Monday, Trump stated, “He did something that was inappropriate. He hired help. And I said don’t ever do that again. He stole people that worked for me. I said don’t ever do that again. He did it again, and I threw him out of the place.” The “place” Trump referenced is Mar-a-Lago, his exclusive club located in Florida.
The former president’s comments come amid increasing scrutiny regarding his past connections to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump’s remarks reflect an effort to distance himself from Epstein, particularly following the release of a memo by the Department of Justice and the FBI in early July. The memo indicated that a review of the case found no “incriminating client list,” which disappointed many of Trump’s loyal supporters who had anticipated greater accountability during his administration.
In his remarks, Trump emphasized that he had never visited Epstein’s private island. “I never had the privilege of going to his island, and I did turn it down,” he stated. “But a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island.” This assertion underscores Trump’s attempt to clarify his relationship with Epstein, amid ongoing discussions about the broader implications of Epstein’s actions and associations.
As Trump navigates the fallout from his past connections, he continues to face questions regarding his decisions and associations during his presidency. The evolving narrative around Epstein has not only impacted Trump but has also sparked discussions about accountability and the need for transparency in high-profile cases involving influential figures.
