Distances himself from Epstein after arrest, claims 15-year 'falling out'
After Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump told reporters he "knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him" but insisted "I had a falling out with him a long time ago... I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you." This marked Trump's effort to distance himself from a man he'd called a "terrific guy" in 2002, saying Epstein "likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." Video from the 1990s showed Trump and Epstein together at Mar-a-Lago parties, and flight logs showed Trump flew on Epstein's plane. The sudden disavowal came as Trump faced questions about his relationship with the wealthy financier and convicted sex offender.
“I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.” — White House press gaggle responding to questions about Epstein arrest, July 9, 2019 Quote verified against source
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryTrump's claim of a 'falling out' was convenient revisionism. The relationship was well-documented through the 1990s and early 2000s. Multiple party photos and videos exist. Trump's 2002 quote praising Epstein for liking women 'on the younger side' would become deeply disturbing evidence of what Trump knew or should have known about Epstein's predatory behavior. By 2019, with MAGA consumed by QAnon fantasies about elite pedophile rings, Trump needed to distance himself from his actual connection to a convicted sex offender.