Trump Claims He Cut Ties With Epstein Over 'Stealing My Workers'

Trump's Explanation for Cutting Ties with Jeffrey Epstein

During a meeting with the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 28, former President Donald Trump shared his reasons for cutting ties with Jeffrey Epstein. The wealthy financier and convicted sex offender was known to have had a complex relationship with Trump, which eventually led to their falling out.

Trump revealed that he stopped speaking to Epstein because of what he described as inappropriate behavior. "For years, I wouldn't talk to Jeffrey Epstein. I wouldn't talk. Because he did something that was inappropriate: He hired help," Trump said when asked about the rift. He claimed that Epstein had stolen workers who had previously worked for him, leading to the decision to expel Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

"I said, 'Don't ever do that again.' He stole people that worked for me," Trump added. According to Trump, this act of taking employees away from him was the final straw, prompting him to throw Epstein out of the club. "I threw him out, and that was it. I'm glad I did, if you know the truth," he said.

Contradictions and Backlash

Trump’s account of the incident contrasts with statements from the White House, which previously suggested that Epstein was kicked out of the club for being a "creep." This discrepancy has fueled ongoing discussions about the nature of Trump's relationship with Epstein.

The controversy surrounding Epstein continues, especially as Trump faces criticism for not releasing all documents related to the case. Epstein died in 2019 while in federal custody in New York, facing charges related to sex trafficking. Although the White House has acknowledged that Trump's name appears in the Epstein files, it has denied any wrongdoing.

The Victims and Legal Proceedings

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most vocal victims, shared her story of being recruited into Epstein's circle when she was just 16 years old. She worked as a locker room assistant at Mar-a-Lago and was later involved with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's procurer and former girlfriend.

Recent reports by the New York Times revealed that a former Epstein employee, Maria Farmer, told law enforcement in 1996 that she encountered Trump in Epstein's office. Epstein reportedly told Trump, "No, no. She’s not here for you."

Pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell

In Scotland, Trump addressed the possibility of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's alleged sex trafficking ring. During an interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in Tallahassee, Florida, Maxwell was questioned about potential other individuals connected to Epstein.

Trump did not rule out the possibility of granting Maxwell a pardon, stating, "Well, I'm allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody's approached me with it. Nobody's asked me about it." He added that it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter at this time.

Trump's Denial of Visiting Epstein’s Island

Trump also denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean, where underage girls were allegedly sexually abused. "I 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," he said. He claimed that he declined the invitation during one of his "very good moments" and that he didn't want to go to Epstein's island.

This denial comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump's connections to Epstein and the broader implications of the case. As the legal and political landscape continues to evolve, the details of Trump's interactions with Epstein remain a subject of intense public interest and debate.