Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump: a timeline

[ad_1] U.S. President Donald Trump retains going through questions on Jeffrey Epstein, the multi-millionaire intercourse offender who died in jail in 2019 whereas going through federal costs of trafficking underage ladies.

As media retailers reveal new details about the Epstein case and his long-ago private relationship with Trump, the U.S. president and his administration have tried to shift the narrative.

Here is a fast information to the Epstein saga and the way it has intersected with Trump through the years.

Nineties Trump, then a rich real-estate developer, and Epstein, a hedge-fund supervisor, transfer in the identical elite social circles in Manhattan and Palm Seaside, Fla., and turn into associates.

1992: Video from a celebration at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort reveals the 2 males collectively.

1993: Epstein attends Trump's marriage ceremony to Marla Maples, in response to video and images obtained by CNN.

1993-97: Trump travels not less than seven instances on one among Epstein's personal jets, in response to flight logs that finally turn into proof in lawsuits. Nonetheless not one of the flights go to Epstein's personal island within the Caribbean.

WATCH | Epstein, Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 1992: The Prince & The Paedophile: Epstein at Trump's

Epstein had many wealthy and highly effective associates, and loved lavish events. On this footage from Trump's Mar-a-Lago dwelling, Epstein is seen ogling girls on the dance flooring with the actual property tycoon. 2000s Trump rises to nationwide fame together with his actuality TV present The Apprentice, whereas Epstein is charged with sexually abusing teenage ladies.

2002: In a function about Epstein in New York journal, Trump is quoted as saying he'd identified Epstein for 15 years. "Terrific man. He is numerous enjoyable to be with," Trump mentioned. "It is even mentioned that he likes stunning girls as a lot as I do, and lots of of them are on the youthful aspect."

2003: For his fiftieth birthday, Epstein receives a leather-bound e-book containing letters from associates. One message is from Trump, that includes a top level view drawing of a unadorned girl and textual content suggesting the 2 males share a secret, the Wall Road Journal just lately reported. Trump has denied he wrote the letter and is suing the newspaper for libel.

WATCH | Trump is suing the Wall Road Journal: What to anticipate from Trump’s lawsuit in opposition to the Wall Road Journal

U.S. President Donald Trump is suing the Wall Road Journal and its house owners, together with Rupert Murdoch, after the newspaper reported his title was on a 2003 birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets and techniques they shared. Mid-2000s: Trump and Epstein have a falling out, and the explanations are unclear. Most just lately, Trump has mentioned it was triggered by Epstein "taking folks that labored for me" at Mar-a-Lago. Different accounts have blamed a 2004 bidding struggle over a mansion in Palm Seaside or Epstein harassing the daughter of a Mar-a-Lago member in 2007.

2008: Epstein is underneath investigation for sexually abusing underage ladies at his houses in Florida and New York from 2002 by 2005. He avoids federal prosecution and a probably prolonged jail sentence by pleading responsible to lesser state costs of soliciting prostitution from a minor, underneath a secret plea deal.

WATCH | Epstein's alleged victims name for justice: Epstein victims share harrowing accounts of assault and humiliation in court docket

In a rare listening to, 16 girls who say Jeffrey Epstein sexually assaulted them as youngsters shared their harrowing tales. One after the other earlier than a New York decide, they expressed the anger they really feel towards the financier, who killed himself this month whereas awaiting trial. 2010s Trump's life journey takes him to the White Home, whereas Epstein's abruptly ends in jail.

2017: Trump nominates Alexander Acosta to be his secretary of labour. Acosta was the U.S. lawyer who oversaw Epstein's then-secret plea deal, revealed in 2018 by the Miami Herald. He resigns in 2019, shortly after federal prosecutors revive the felony case in opposition to Epstein.

WATCH | Epstein arrested and charged: Multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein charged with federal baby intercourse trafficking crimes

In a newly unsealed indictment, extra particulars are being revealed in regards to the federal costs in opposition to American multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein. The financier is alleged to have operated a intercourse trafficking ring during which he sexually abused dozens of underage ladies, allegations which have circulated across the politically linked businessman for years. 2019: On July 8, in federal court docket in Manhattan, Epstein is indicted on intercourse trafficking costs. He pleads not responsible and is held in a federal jail. The following day, a reporter asks Trump if he nonetheless thinks Epstein is a terrific man. Trump responds: "I do not assume I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan."

On Aug. 10, Epstein dies in custody. His demise is dominated a suicide.

WATCH | Trump retweets conspiracy theories about Epstein's demise: How Trump is fuelling anger over Jeffrey Epstein’s demise

Financier Jeffrey Epstein's demise weeks after he was indicted on sex-trafficking costs has raised a spread of questions on how such a high-profile detainee might die in custody, whereas U.S. President Donald Trump retweeted unsubstantiated claims about Epstein's demise. Epstein, who died by obvious suicide in response to officers, had pleaded not responsible. 2020s Regardless of Epstein's demise — or maybe due to it — questions in regards to the scandal proceed to swirl.

2023-24: Throughout Joe Biden's presidency, key gamers in Trump's MAGA motion lead a push for extra particulars of the Epstein case to be made public. Some go on to play key roles in Trump's second administration: Vice-President JD Vance, FBI director Kash Patel and Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A message calling on President Donald Trump to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein is projected onto the US Chamber of Commerce building across from the White House in Washington, DC, on July 18, 2025." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7590562.1753137799!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/image-projected-on-building-near-white-house-calling-for-release-of-epstein-related-files.jpg?im=Resize%3D300 300w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7590562.1753137799!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/image-projected-on-building-near-white-house-calling-for-release-of-epstein-related-files.jpg?im=Resize%3D460 460w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7590562.1753137799!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/image-projected-on-building-near-white-house-calling-for-release-of-epstein-related-files.jpg?im=Resize%3D620 620w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7590562.1753137799!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/image-projected-on-building-near-white-house-calling-for-release-of-epstein-related-files.jpg?im=Resize%3D780 780w,https://i.cbc.ca/1.7590562.1753137799!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/image-projected-on-building-near-white-house-calling-for-release-of-epstein-related-files.jpg?im=Resize%3D1180 1180w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 300px,(max-width: 460px) 460px,(max-width: 620px) 620px,(max-width: 780px) 780px,(max-width: 1180px) 1180px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/1.7590562.1753137799!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_1180/image-projected-on-building-near-white-house-calling-for-release-of-epstein-related-files.jpg?im=" style="aspect-ratio:1.4993646759847523" data-cy="image-img"/> A message calling on Trump to launch all information associated to Epstein is projected onto the U.S. Chamber of Commerce constructing throughout from the White Home on July 18. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP/Getty Photos) 2025 Feb. 21: A month after Trump's inauguration, Bondi is requested by Fox Information whether or not the Justice Division will launch Epstein's shopper record. "It is sitting on my desk proper now to evaluation," she responds, including {that a} "truckload" of beforehand withheld proof was being examined.

July 7: The Division of Justice publicizes that no extra information associated to the Epstein investigation will probably be launched, and declares that no record of his purchasers exists. This angers some MAGA supporters, however each on social media and in exchanges with reporters, Trump tells folks to cease speaking about Epstein.

WATCH | Trump launches social media barrage: Are Trump’s social posts an Epstein distraction tactic?

U.S. President Donald Trump has made a collection of controversial social media posts, with some political scientists saying it is doubtless a tactic to divert consideration away from the so-called Epstein information. July 23: The Wall Road Journal experiences that Trump had been briefed in Could that his title is amongst many who seem within the Epstein information. The paper notes that this doesn't point out any wrongdoing by Trump.

Aug. 2: Federal jail officers say that Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for intercourse trafficking, has been transferred to a minimum-security jail camp. This comes simply days after Maxwell met with Deputy U.S. Legal professional Basic Todd Blanche, beforehand one among Trump's private attorneys.

WATCH | How Trump reacted to costs in opposition to Maxwell in 2020: Trump says of Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I want her properly'

U.S. President Donald Trump gave the impression to be sympathetic to Ghislaine Maxwell when requested Tuesday in regards to the British socialite, who's accused of aiding convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.