Trump’s account of events
Trump explained that he ended his friendship with Epstein because the financier repeatedly hired away workers from Mar-a-Lago, including young women who worked at the spa facilities. “He took people that work for me, and I told him, don’t do it anymore. And he did it again. I said, stay the hell out of here,” Trump said.
When pressed about whether one of those employees was Virginia Giuffre—who died by suicide earlier this year after accusing Epstein and others of sexual abuse—Trump confirmed, “I think she worked at the spa. I think so. I think that was one of the people… Yeah, he stole her”.Trump characterized Giuffre as someone who “had no complaints” about him personally, emphasizing the distinction between himself and Epstein’s criminal actions. He described Epstein’s conduct as inappropriate and reiterated that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago once he discovered the poaching of staff.
Background on Virginia Giuffre and Epstein
Virginia Giuffre was a key figure in exposing Epstein’s sex trafficking network. She alleged being recruited from Mar-a-Lago by Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell when employed as a locker-room attendant and masseuse. Giuffre stated she was forced into sexual encounters with Epstein and other powerful men beginning in her teens. Her tragic suicide earlier in 2025 brought renewed scrutiny to Epstein’s operation and the network of enablers and exploiters.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. Ghislaine Maxwell, his close associate, was convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking minors and related charges. The continued investigations into their crimes have implicated many high-profile figures, though Trump maintains he distanced himself from Epstein well before the latter’s arrest and death.
During the same period, Trump denied various allegations linking him more broadly to Epstein’s abuses. He stated he never visited Epstein’s private island and claimed to have turned down invitations there, noting others in Palm Beach did attend. Regarding an alleged letter with a naked woman drawing sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday—reported by The Wall Street Journal—Trump denied involvement and filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the publication. He characterized the whole Epstein controversy as a politically motivated “hoax” perpetuated by his adversaries.
