The friendship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein has raised questions about the former president’s judgment and character. The two men socialized together in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, for nearly 15 years before a falling out that preceded Mr. Epstein’s first arrest.
Trump and Epstein spent time at lavish parties and events, with numerous high-profile guests. However, behind the glamour, questions have lingered about Trump’s association with Epstein, particularly after Epstein’s conviction on sex trafficking charges.
Several women who were in Epstein’s orbit claim to have been groped or abused by Trump, including a 2019 interview from Maria Farmer, who said she was victimized by Epstein and accused Trump of eyeing her during an encounter. Stacey Williams also claimed Trump groped her when they met at Trump Tower.
In 2004, the two men had a falling out over a piece of real estate, after which Trump purchased the property for $41.35 million. The following year, Epstein was arrested on charges of soliciting prostitution, and he received a lenient plea deal that included immunity from federal charges.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein’s case, stating he had “no idea” about Epstein’s abuse of young women. However, some of Trump’s allies have promoted theories that the government covered up the extent of Epstein’s crimes to avoid damaging his friendship with Trump.
The New York Times investigation found that Trump sought to distance himself from Epstein after a second arrest in 2019 and has since downplayed the scandal, calling it a “hoax.” The article raises questions about whether Trump’s actions and statements on the matter are consistent with those of someone who genuinely values victims’ rights and is committed to transparency.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/us/politics/inside-trump-epstein-friendship.html