Did Trump Claim He Never Visited Epstein's Private Island?

The Context of Trump's Statement About Jeffrey Epstein's Island

In July 2025, a claim surfaced online that U.S. President Donald Trump had stated, "I never had the privilege of going to his [Jeffrey Epstein's] island." This statement was widely shared on social media platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit. Some users took issue with the phrasing, even creating memes that suggested if someone referred to visiting Epstein’s island as a privilege, they might be in a questionable position.

The claim about Trump’s statement was confirmed to be accurate. The president made this remark during a news conference with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 28, 2025. The event took place at Trump Turnberry, a golf resort owned by Trump in Scotland. Clips of the interview featuring the statement were available on YouTube channels of major news outlets like The Associated Press, NBC News, and Reuters. Additionally, "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" included the clip in its opening monologue on the same day.

Trump’s Response to Questions About Epstein

The statement came in response to a reporter’s question regarding an alleged incident where Trump had thrown Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump dismissed the question as “such old history” and claimed it was “very easy to explain.” His full response included details about his interactions with Epstein:

“That's such old history. Very easy to explain, but I don't want to waste your time by explaining it. But for years, I wouldn't talk to Jeffrey Epstein. I wouldn't talk because he did something that was inappropriate. He hired help. And I said, 'Don't ever do that again.' He stole people that worked for me. I said, 'Don't ever do that again.' He did it again and I threw him out of the place. Persona non grata. I threw him out and that was it. I'm glad I did, if you want to know the truth. And by the way, I never went to the island and Bill Clinton went there supposedly 28 times. I never went to the island, but Larry Summers I hear went there. He was the head of Harvard. And many other people that are very big people. Nobody ever talks about them. I've never had the privilege of going to his island. And I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn't want to go to his island."

Additional Topics Discussed During the Conference

During the press conference, Trump also addressed several other topics, including the situation in Gaza, Ukraine, and tariffs alongside Prime Minister Starmer. The full transcript and video of the meeting are available for viewing on YouTube.

Background on the Epstein Controversy

This statement occurred amid increased scrutiny over Trump's association with Epstein. His administration has faced allegations of covering up any potential links between Trump and Epstein, despite the Department of Justice stating that no such client list exists. The controversy surrounding Epstein, a convicted sex offender, has continued to draw public attention, especially given the high-profile individuals who were reportedly associated with him.

Sources and Further Information

For those interested in verifying the claims, several sources provide detailed information. The original video clips from the press conference are available on YouTube through various channels. Additionally, articles from reputable news outlets, such as AP News, have covered the event and provided context around the discussion. Other related stories include analyses of the FBI's role in handling Epstein-related files and fact-checking claims about Trump’s connections to Epstein.