In brief
A series of emails released by Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee shed light on Donald Trump's ties to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The correspondence reveals Epstein claimed Trump spent time with a victim and acknowledged knowledge of Epstein's activities. Trump has consistently denied involvement or awareness of Epstein's crimes.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2011 email that Donald Trump had “spent hours” at his house with a victim of sex trafficking, suggesting the former president was aware of Epstein’s illicit activities.
The recently released emails were disclosed by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, intensifying scrutiny over Trump's longstanding friendship with Epstein, who is accused of exploiting underage girls for years. Trump has firmly denied ever knowing about Epstein’s alleged crimes and asserted that their relationship ended long ago.
In one email, Epstein referenced Trump in relation to Ghislaine Maxwell, a former associate who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in the sex trafficking operation. He stated, that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump and mentioned that Trump spent hours at my house with someone identified by the committee as a victim. He noted that Trump had “never once been mentioned” regarding these matters.
In another communication, Epstein told journalist Michael Wolff that Trump was aware of the girls and had instructed Maxwell to cease her activities.
The White House has yet to comment on these allegations. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in custody awaiting trial.
Maxwell's legal team has alleged that she was unfairly tried and convicted for Epstein's crimes. Despite her conviction, she was transferred from a low-security prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas following an interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
For continuous updates on the Epstein case, visit AP News coverage.
