Donald Trump has addressed the controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files and clarified whether he ever visited Epstein’s notorious island.
The Trump administration has been under increasing pressure to release the so-called Epstein files, which allegedly contain a ‘client list’ of influential individuals associated with Epstein.
When questioned by reporters, Trump affirmed that he never visited Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James.
The President stated: “By the way, I never went to the island. And Bill Clinton went there, supposedly, 28 times.”
He further elaborated: “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.”
Trump also mentioned that he hadn’t spoken to Epstein ‘for years’ and explained: “I wouldn’t talk because he did something that was inappropriate.”
He added: “He hired help, and I said don’t ever do that again. He’s stolen people that work for me, I said don’t ever do that again. He did it again, and I threw him out of the place. I threw him out and that was it.”
Trump was queried about a drawing in a letter sent to Epstein, reportedly featuring a sketch of a naked woman.
The president responded: “I’m not a drawing person. I don’t do drawings. Sometimes you would say, would you draw a building? And I’ll draw four lines and a little roof, you know, for charity stuff, but I’m not a drawing person.”
“I don’t do drawings of women, that I can tell you.”
It’s been over five months since Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned the files were on her desk awaiting release. However, the Department of Justice soon declared that no additional files related to the case would be released and stated that no ‘client list’ exists.
Despite this, the Trump administration recently announced a reversal, stating that all FBI files, including grand jury testimony, would be released.
Nevertheless, Trump emphasized the files’ content, stating: “It’s a hoax that’s been built up way beyond proportion. I can say this, those files were run by the worst scum on Earth.”
He continued: “They were run by (former FBI director James) Comey, they were run by (former US attorney general Merrick) Garland, they were run by (former president Joe) Biden, and all of the people that actually ran the government.”
“Those files were run by these people. They were run by my enemy. If there was anything in there, they would have used them for the election,” he added.
In recent developments, Trump has not ruled out a potential presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former partner, who was convicted and is serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking.
Maxwell was found guilty of several charges, including sex trafficking minors and conspiracy to entice and transport minors for illegal sexual activity.
Her legal team has argued against her conviction, citing a previous non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and the US government as grounds for her protection.
Trump commented, “Well, I’m allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody’s approached me with it. Nobody’s asked me about it. It’s in the news – that aspect of it – but right now, it would be inappropriate to talk about it.”