Trump and Epstein: Documented Connections & Court Records

Overview

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were acquainted for a period during the 1990s and early 2000s, moving in overlapping social circles in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, according to contemporaneous media coverage and court records. The nature and extent of their relationship has been the subject of public interest, particularly given Trump's prominence in American politics.

This page documents only what is established by verifiable sources. No allegations of criminal conduct have been made against Trump in connection with Epstein's crimes, and Trump has not been charged with any related offenses. For broader context on the Epstein case, see The Epstein Files.

Documented Timeline of Association

Social Acquaintance (1990s–Early 2000s)

Trump and Epstein were both prominent figures in New York and Palm Beach social scenes during this period, according to contemporary media reports. They were photographed together at social events on multiple occasions, as documented by news outlets.

In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump described Epstein as follows: "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

This quote has been widely cited in media coverage, as reported by the Washington Post, Associated Press, and other outlets. It predates the public exposure of Epstein's criminal conduct, which began with the 2005 Palm Beach police investigation.

Reported Falling Out (Mid-2000s)

Multiple media reports indicate that Trump and Epstein had a falling out, reportedly over a real estate deal in Palm Beach. The exact timing and nature of this rift vary across sources.

According to court filings in a separate matter, Trump reportedly banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. The circumstances and timing of this alleged ban have been reported differently by various sources and have not been independently confirmed through official club records.

Public Statements Post-Investigation

After Epstein's July 2019 arrest on federal charges, Trump stated, according to press pool reports: "I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him... I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you."

Trump also stated he had not spoken with Epstein in approximately 15 years.

What the Court Documents Show

In the unsealed Giuffre v. Maxwell documents released beginning in January 2024, according to court records and reporting by the Associated Press:

• Trump's name appears in Epstein's contact records
• Flight logs released as part of the civil case show Trump on one documented flight on Epstein's aircraft — a short trip from Palm Beach to New York, according to available records. This has been confirmed by Reuters and other fact-checking organizations.
• No criminal allegations against Trump appear in the released court documents
• No victims made allegations against Trump in the Epstein-related proceedings

For context on what these document mentions mean, see our page on the Epstein list.

What We Know

Based on court records, verified reporting, and public statements:

• Trump and Epstein were social acquaintances in the 1990s and early 2000s, according to contemporaneous media coverage
• Trump publicly praised Epstein in a 2002 magazine interview, before Epstein's criminal conduct became public knowledge
• A falling out reportedly occurred in the mid-2000s, though details vary by source
• Trump's name appears in Epstein's contact records and in one flight log entry
• No criminal allegations against Trump exist in any Epstein-related court proceedings
• Trump publicly distanced himself from Epstein after the 2019 arrest

What We Don't Know

• The full extent and nature of Trump and Epstein's social relationship during the 1990s remains partially documented
• The precise circumstances and timing of the reported falling out and Mar-a-Lago ban have not been independently verified
• Whether Trump had any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities during their period of acquaintance is not established by available evidence
• The completeness of the flight log records — whether all relevant records have been released — is not confirmed

Context for Readers

The question of Trump's connection to Epstein has become politically charged, with partisans on various sides emphasizing different aspects of the available evidence, as reported by multiple news organizations. This page presents only what is documented in verifiable sources, without editorial characterization.

For the full context of document releases, see The Epstein Files. For information about the DOJ's role in the case, see DOJ Epstein Files.

Primary Sources

1. New York Magazine, "Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery," October 2002 — nymag.com
2. Court filings, Giuffre v. Maxwell, SDNY — CourtListener
3. Associated Press, Trump-Epstein reporting — apnews.com
4. Washington Post, Trump-Epstein coverage — washingtonpost.com
5. Reuters, flight log fact-check — reuters.com
6. Unsealed court documents, January 2024 — CourtListener

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Explore the full case timeline, browse verified records in our document library, or read our detailed analysis of Trump-Epstein connections.