While attending diplomatic meetings in Scotland, former President Donald Trump broke his silence on his fractured relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, offering his own version of events and distancing himself from the convicted sex offender. Speaking from his Turnberry golf resort, Trump claimed he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago years ago after the financier began hiring former employees from Trump’s businesses without permission.
According to Trump, Epstein’s repeated efforts to poach his staff crossed a professional boundary. After giving Epstein an initial warning, Trump said the behavior continued, leaving him with no choice but to revoke Epstein’s access to the private Palm Beach club. “He became persona non grata,” Trump stated, without naming the specific employees or roles in question. His account contrasts with earlier statements from his team, which had previously explained the rift simply by calling Epstein “a creep.”
The former president also found himself repeatedly pressed on whether he would consider issuing a presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her involvement in sex trafficking minors. Trump responded by confirming that no formal request for a pardon had been submitted, but added that he legally could issue one if he chose. “I think it would be wrong to discuss that right now,” he told reporters.
In the same series of remarks, Trump firmly denied ever visiting Epstein’s infamous private island, Little Saint James. He said he had been invited but declined the offer—a decision he now sees as wise. While acknowledging that “many prominent people” did go, Trump emphasized that he was not among them and framed his refusal as an intentional and cautious choice.
He also pushed back against a recent Wall Street Journal report alleging that he once sent Epstein a birthday card that included a sketch of a nude woman. Trump called the story entirely false and said he is pursuing legal action against the newspaper and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation. He insisted that he never sent such a drawing and doesn’t create such images, saying his limited artistic efforts are restricted to architectural doodles for charity events.
Another growing controversy involves what have become known as the “Epstein files”—a collection of documents some believe contain damning evidence against powerful figures, including Trump. The former president labeled the files a complete fabrication and suggested they may have been doctored or even planted by political enemies.
He accused figures such as President Joe Biden, former FBI Director James Comey, and Attorney General Merrick Garland of coordinating a smear campaign. “It’s fake, all fake—run by the worst scum on Earth,” Trump claimed. Yet in a confusing twist, he added, “If they had something real, they would’ve already released it.”
Trump’s attempt to cast doubt on the Epstein files met swift criticism. CNN anchor Jake Tapper called the conspiracy theory “one of the most bizarre” he had ever heard, questioning the logic behind such a plot. Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara similarly dismissed the theory, arguing that no political opponent would fabricate evidence only to keep it secret.
Public interest in Trump’s ties to Epstein has only intensified as new photos and video footage have emerged showing the two men together on multiple occasions in the 1990s and early 2000s. Visual evidence includes Epstein attending Trump’s 1993 wedding, mingling with Melania at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show in 1999, and joining events where Trump’s children were also present. Other media outlets have published pictures of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at high-profile events with British royals—long before Epstein’s legal troubles became widely known.
Archived interviews add fuel to the fire. CNN uncovered an old quote from Trump in which he described Epstein as “a lot of fun to be with” and acknowledged that Epstein liked “beautiful women as much as I do—many of them on the younger side.” Additionally, flight logs show Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997.
Multiple women have since come forward with allegations involving both Epstein and Trump. Former Victoria’s Secret model Stacey Williams described interactions between the two men as unsettling, recalling a moment when Trump touched her in Epstein’s presence and the two exchanged knowing smiles.
Another accuser, Virginia Giuffre—who tragically died by suicide earlier this year—claimed she was recruited as a 16-year-old from Mar-a-Lago to give massages to Epstein and his associates, including high-profile names. She said she was paraded “like a platter of fruit” and shuttled among Epstein’s various properties worldwide.
Ghislaine Maxwell, now behind bars, is appealing her conviction by citing a 2008 non-prosecution agreement Epstein secured. She has reportedly met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche under limited immunity, a development that has triggered calls for transparency from lawmakers. Prominent Senate Democrats, including Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse, have demanded the release of all meeting records and expressed concern over any potential deal that might reduce Maxwell’s sentence in exchange for insider information.
On Capitol Hill, House Democrats have issued subpoenas seeking access to the full cache of Epstein-related materials, including notes from Maxwell’s interview. Lawmakers argue that concealing the truth would only deepen public distrust and deny justice to victims.
Meanwhile, Trump’s shifting explanations—ranging from claims of employee theft to allegations of political sabotage—are raising eyebrows. Critics say these inconsistencies are damaging his credibility. Instead of diffusing controversy, Trump’s contradictory remarks appear to be fanning the flames of public suspicion. His repeated dismissal of investigations and media reporting as hoaxes has done little to quiet the storm.
As Trump continues his stay in Scotland, holding talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, his use of his private golf resort for diplomatic purposes is sparking ethical questions. Critics point to potential conflicts of interest and taxpayer costs. Outside the Turnberry property, protesters held signs mocking “Epstein Island,” signaling a growing unease over both Trump’s business dealings and his past associations.