Former Palm Beach police chief says Trump called to 'thank' him for investigating Epstein in 2006

Newly revealed FBI document details Trump's alleged call to police chief during Epstein probe

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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According to an FBI document, former Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter told the FBI that in 2006, Donald Trump called him to say "thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this" in reference to the police investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The document, first reported by the Miami Herald, provides new details about Trump's alleged involvement and knowledge of Epstein's crimes.

Why it matters

This revelation contradicts Trump's previous claims that he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities and that he had cut off contact with Epstein more than 20 years ago. The alleged call from Trump to the police chief during the investigation raises questions about the extent of Trump's awareness and potential involvement in the Epstein case.

The details

The FBI document summarizes an interview with former Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter in 2019, two months after Epstein's death. Reiter told the FBI that in July 2006, around the time the details of the police investigation into Epstein became public, Trump called him to say "thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this." The document also states that Trump told Reiter that Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell was "evil" and that Trump was "around Epstein once when teenagers were present" but "got the hell out of there."

  • In July 2006, Trump allegedly called Reiter to thank him for investigating Epstein.
  • In October 2019, two months after Epstein's death, Reiter was interviewed by the FBI and provided the details about Trump's alleged call.

The players

Michael Reiter

The former Palm Beach police chief who led the initial investigation into Jeffrey Epstein in the mid-2000s.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who allegedly called Reiter in 2006 to thank him for investigating Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The financier who was investigated by Reiter's police department for allegedly recruiting underage girls to provide sexual massages.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's alleged associate whom Trump reportedly told Reiter was "evil" and that the police should "focus on her."

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What they’re saying

“DONALD TRUMP told [Reiter] that he threw EPSTEIN out of his club. TRUMP called the [Palm Beach Police Department] to tell him 'thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this,'”

— Michael Reiter, Former Palm Beach police chief (FBI report)

“TRUMP told him people in New York knew EPSTEIN was disgusting. TRUMP said MAXWELL was EPSTEIN's operative, 'she is evil and to focus on her,'”

— Michael Reiter, Former Palm Beach police chief (FBI report)

“TRUMP told [Reiter] that he was around EPSTEIN once when teenagers were present and TRUMP 'got the hell out of there.'”

— Michael Reiter, Former Palm Beach police chief (FBI report)

What’s next

The FBI's interview with Reiter and the details about Trump's alleged call are part of the ongoing investigation into Epstein's crimes and potential involvement of others. It remains to be seen if further information will emerge about the extent of Trump's knowledge and interactions with Epstein.

The takeaway

This newly revealed FBI document contradicts Trump's previous claims of ignorance about Epstein's criminal activities and raises serious questions about the former president's potential connections to the disgraced financier. The alleged call from Trump to the police chief during the investigation suggests a deeper level of awareness and involvement than Trump has previously acknowledged.