Newly released emails from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein allege that U.S. President Donald Trump “spent hours” with one of Epstein’s victims at the late financier’s residence. The emails, made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, were originally sent to Epstein’s former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
The disclosure of these emails comes amid heightened calls for transparency regarding the Epstein scandal and ongoing demands to release government files related to Epstein and his network of powerful contacts.
Content of the Emails
In a 2011 email, Epstein wrote to Maxwell:
“I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump. [Victim] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned.”
The identity of the victim has been redacted. Maxwell responded, “I have been thinking about that…” Another email sent in 2019 alleges that Trump “knew about the girls.”
The emails raise questions about Trump’s personal connections with Epstein, who maintained relationships with numerous high-profile figures, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew, and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Trump and White House Response
President Trump dismissed the emails as a “hoax”, claiming they were an attempt by Democrats to distract from the government shutdown crisis. On social media, Trump wrote:
“The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they’ve done on the Shutdown…”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also called the emails “selectively released,” noting that the referenced victim, Virginia Giuffre, repeatedly stated that Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing during their interactions.
Trump has previously stated that he kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago resort due to Epstein’s recruitment of young women for sex work, asserting that he had distanced himself from the financier decades ago.
Political and Public Reactions
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna condemned the emails, criticizing the “abuse culture” surrounding Epstein and other powerful figures:
“This whole Epstein class needs to go. The issue in American politics is from left or right: Are you for ordinary working Americans, or are you for this Epstein class?”
Critics argue that the emails highlight the broader problem of wealthy and influential individuals allegedly tolerating or enabling sexual abuse.
Background on Epstein Scandal
Jeffrey Epstein pled guilty in 2008 to solicitation of prostitution with a minor and served 13 months in prison under a controversial plea deal. He was later arrested in 2019 for sex trafficking of minors and died in his New York jail cell two months later, a death ruled as suicide.
Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, was convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking and conspiracy, and she is currently serving her 20-year sentence.
Epstein’s network and alleged activities have long fueled speculation that powerful individuals, potentially including Trump, may be implicated or mentioned in undisclosed government files, often referred to as the “Epstein files.”
Calls for Transparency
Activists and some Trump supporters continue to demand the release of all government documents related to Epstein. The Justice Department and FBI have resisted these requests, citing victim privacy and reiterating that no evidence exists to suggest Trump engaged in wrongdoing.
Trump himself has characterized public focus on Epstein as a “waste of time,” but the release of the emails has reignited debate over political accountability and the handling of sexual abuse cases involving elite figures.
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