Trump Told Police Chief 'Everyone' Knew About Epstein, FBI Document Says

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A newly uncovered FBI interview revealed that in 2006, as Epstein's first sex crime charges became public, then-President Donald Trump called the Palm Beach, Florida police chief and said 'Thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this.' Trump also told the police chief that people in New York knew about Epstein and advised him that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, was 'evil.' The revelations have raised new questions about Trump's previous assertions that he knew nothing about Epstein's crimes.

Why it matters

The fallout from the Epstein scandal remains a major political headache for the Trump administration, with new details emerging about Trump's ties to the convicted sex offender. The case has also created crises abroad after revealing new details of Epstein's connections to prominent people in politics, finance, business and academia.

The details

According to the summary of a 2019 FBI interview, in July 2006 as Epstein's first sex crime charges became public, the Palm Beach police chief, Michael Reiter, received a call from Trump. Reiter said Trump told him: 'Thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this.' Trump also told Reiter that people in New York knew about Epstein and advised him that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, was 'evil.' Trump also said he had once been around Epstein when teenagers were present and that he 'got the hell out of there.'

• In July 2006, as Epstein's first sex crime charges became public, the police chief in Palm Beach, Florida, received a call from Trump.

What they’re saying