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