I Dub Thee Trumpstein
Do We Know He's Guilty? You Tell Me...
Given all the attention to Epstein in recent days—since Trump and his admin have declared the case "closed"—we figured it might be a good time to go over what we actually know. Do we know for certain that Trump was in on it with Epstein? No. But do we know enough to ask some serious questions? Absolutely. Let’s look at all the receipts, from the recent chaos all the way back to the early aughts, and you can decide for yourself.
Updates:
The Recent Meltdown
It all started back in February. Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi went on Fox News and confidently declared that she had the Epstein client list "sitting on her desk" for review — at Trump’s direction. (Credit to Fox News, link to original video available on YouTube below)
At the same time, Alina Habba, one of Trump’s most loyal attorneys, hyped up "incredibly disturbing" Epstein files about to drop, promising flight logs and big names that would "shock the world." (Credit to Piers Morgan, link to original video available on YouTube below)
To hype it even further, the administration invited conservative influencers to the White House to receive binders labeled "The Epstein Files: Phase 1."1 But when those influencers cracked them open? It was almost entirely old, publicly available material — a stunt, not a revelation.
Fast forward to this summer: Elon Musk, in the middle of a public rift with Trump, threw gasoline on the fire by claiming Trump’s name was actually in the Epstein files and that was the real reason the documents were being buried, though he would later delete his post.2
A few days ago (July 7, 2025), it all finally boiled over. The DOJ announced that the Epstein investigation was officially "closed."2 They insisted there was no client list3, no new evidence, no further disclosures coming. They released an 11-hour video that supposedly proved Epstein committed suicide — except the video left more questions than answers: it did not show Epstein’s cell because the camera that would have wasn’t “working,” it included a full minute mysteriously missing4, and metadata revealed it may have been manipulated in Adobe Premiere Pro5, despite Trump officials claiming the footage was a raw, unaltered recording.
Piers, who typically sides with Trump called Habba out6 on X/Twitter as many other Influencers started to ask questions about the sudden change of heart by the Trump’s administration on the Epstein subject. Even Tucker Carlson brought up Bondi’s claims from earlier in the year, keeping his attacks focused on Bondi rather than Trump7.
When pressed by a reporter during a cabinet meeting the following day (July 8, 2025), Trump snapped (Credit to ABC, link to original video available on YouTube below):
"Are you still talking about this creep? Are people still talking about Epstein? This is unbelievable."
And within a few days came the final meltdown: Trump’s long, ranting Truth Social post defending Bondi, blaming the "Radical Left" for creating the Epstein files, and attacking his own followers for questioning him. Instead of rallying behind him, his base turned. The post ended up ratioed8, with tens of thousands of angry replies demanding answers rather than blindly applauding.
The man who built his image on "draining the swamp" and "locking them up" was now getting publicly humiliated on his own platform by his own diehards — all for one reason: they can sense there’s more to the story.
And to understand the story, we have to go back to where it all began…
Where It All Started
It starts with Trump’s own words in 2002. Speaking to New York Magazine, he didn’t just acknowledge Epstein — he enthusiastically praised him:
“I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”9
This wasn’t a casual comment. By then, Epstein was already known in elite circles for surrounding himself with young women. Trump’s cheerful tone and explicit mention of "younger" women frames the entire story that would unravel decades later.
But Trump’s words weren’t just idle talk. A decade before that New York Magazine quote, in 1992, NBC cameras captured Trump and Epstein together at Mar-a-Lago — Trump’s second home away from New York.
In the footage, they’re seen laughing, whispering in each other’s ears, and pointing out women on the dance floor like two frat boys at a rush party. Epstein erupts into laughter at something Trump says, perfectly illustrating the chemistry between these "close friends."
This is not a handshake photo at a gala. This is two men, fully in their element and Epstein looks right at home. (Credit to NBC, link to original video available on YouTube below)
The “Twisted Games”
In the early 1990s, Trump and Epstein weren’t just friendly acquaintances — they were very close. Former model Stacey Williams described meeting Trump through Epstein at a Christmas party in 1992 and immediately sensing how tight their bond was.
“It became very clear then that he and Donald were really, really good friends and spent a lot of time together,” Williams said.
A few months later, in 1993, Epstein suggested to Williams that they stop by Trump Tower. Moments after they arrived, Williams alleges that Trump pulled her toward him and groped her — touching her breasts, waist, and buttocks. She described freezing in confusion while she believed she saw Trump and Epstein smiling at each other, as if they were playing a "twisted game."
Williams later shared that she felt humiliated and like a "piece of meat," sensing that the encounter had been orchestrated.
She also shared a postcard Trump sent her later that year, featuring an aerial photo of Mar-a-Lago, with the handwritten note:
“Stacey — Your home away from home. Love, Donald.”
While Trump’s spokesperson has denied her allegations, Williams’ story — corroborated by friends she told years earlier — adds yet another disturbing layer to Trump and Epstein’s shared history, well before Epstein faced serious legal trouble.
The Recruitment Hub
Speaking of Mar-a-Lago — Trump’s prized Palm Beach playground — the club would ultimately become an unexpected intersection point in Epstein’s recruitment operation.
In 2000, Virginia Roberts Giuffre was working as a teenage locker room attendant at Mar-a-Lago. While there, she was approached by Ghislaine Maxwell — Epstein’s longtime confidante and, as we would later learn, the key architect in his network of sexual abuse. Maxwell noticed Giuffre reading a book on massage and offered her work giving massages to Epstein — work that Giuffre says soon turned into sexual abuse.
According to court documents10, Giuffre was paid by Mar-a-Lago during that period, and records show that Trump wrote a recommendation letter for her father, who worked maintenance at the resort and helped her get the job.
While Giuffre herself later clarified that Trump never flirted with her and did not engage in sexual acts with her, she did confirm that he was a "good friend" of Epstein’s at the time.
The full extent of how much Trump knew about what Epstein and Maxwell were doing inside his own club remains unknown — but it is clear that Maxwell felt comfortable using Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s home, as recruiting grounds for Epstein.
Giuffre, for her part, would go on to spend most of the remainder of her life as a vocal advocate against sex trafficking. She became a central plaintiff in a lawsuit accusing Epstein and Prince Andrew of abusing her as a minor. She founded the SOAR charity, won a settlement against Prince Andrew as he stepped down from royal duties in 2022, and continued to speak publicly about survivor justice. In April 2025, at the age of 41, Giuffre took her own life, leaving behind her three children11.
Trump didn’t just know Epstein and Maxwell — he socialized with them intimately. He was photographed spending time with both of them at Mar-a-Lago alongside Melania, illustrating just how close this circle truly was. And according to Epstein himself, the first time Trump and Melania were intimate was not at Mar-a-Lago or in New York — it was on Epstein’s private jet, famously dubbed the “Lolita Express.”12
Before we pick up the story in 2008, when Epstein faced his first major legal reckoning, it’s worth pausing to look at what Trump himself was up to during those same years — behavior that echoes many of the same troubling themes.
A Detour into the Dressing Rooms
Long before Epstein’s first legal reckoning in 2008, Trump’s own behavior with young women was already raising eyebrows — especially in his world of beauty pageants.
In a 2005 interview with Howard Stern, Trump bragged about having the power to walk in on contestants while they were changing. He described it as one of the “perks” of owning pageants (Credit to CNN, link to original video available on YouTube below):
"I’ll go backstage before a show, and everyone’s getting dressed and ready and everything else... You know, no men are anywhere. And I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant and therefore I’m inspecting it... 'Is everyone okay?' You know, they're standing there with no clothes."
At the time, Trump owned multiple pageants, including Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss Teen USA. While he did not clarify which specific pageant he was referring to in that interview, multiple contestants from Miss Teen USA would later say that Trump did walk into their dressing room while they were changing13.
In 2016, five former Miss Teen USA contestants came forward, stating that Trump entered the room unannounced while some of them — minors at the time — were partially or fully undressed. They described feeling shocked and powerless, yet unable to speak up given Trump's position as the pageant owner.
These episodes show that even without Epstein, Trump was no stranger to using his power to breach young women’s privacy, treating boundaries as optional and access as his right.
The Deal of a Lifetime
In 2008, after years of whispers and sealed lawsuits, Epstein finally faced potential federal charges for sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. But instead of a sweeping federal prosecution, Epstein received what has since been called a "deal of a lifetime."
Under U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, Epstein secured a non-prosecution agreement that shielded him from federal charges and allowed him to plead guilty to lesser state charges. He served just 13 months in a county jail10 — with work release privileges that let him leave almost every day.
Years later, instead of being cast aside for enabling a predator, Acosta was rewarded. In 2017, Trump appointed Acosta as his Secretary of Labor, a role ironically tasked with protecting workers and overseeing human trafficking enforcement programs.
When Acosta came under fire for this sweetheart deal, Trump defended him14, calling him a "really, really great Secretary of Labor." While Trump downplayed his connection to Epstein, telling reporters he "wasn’t a fan,"15 he still refused to hold Acosta accountable for letting Epstein escape serious consequences.
Luck Only Lasts So Long
After skating through the 2008 plea deal, Epstein continued to operate for another decade — until 2019, when federal prosecutors finally arrested him on sex trafficking charges. Epstein was accused of abusing dozens of girls as young as 14 in New York and Florida between 2002 and 2005.
But Epstein would never stand trial. While in custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan — a federal facility under the Bureau of Prisons, overseen by Trump’s Department of Justice — Epstein died in August 2019. Officially ruled a suicide, his death was described by then-Attorney General William Barr16 as a “perfect storm of screw-ups.”
On the night Epstein died, the two guards assigned to watch him were accused of sleeping and shopping online instead of making their scheduled rounds. Epstein was supposed to have a cellmate, but that cellmate was removed the day before his death. Even Barr admitted that he initially had his own suspicions, acknowledging the “numerous irregularities” and calling it a series of preventable failures.
Epstein’s death meant he would never face cross-examination, never name names under oath, and never be held accountable in open court. It also ensured that whatever he knew about his powerful friends — including Trump — died with him.
Trump Wishes His Old Friend Well
On July 2, 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested for her central role in Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking operation—charged with recruiting and grooming underage girls alongside the disgraced financier. Eight months later, she faced trial and on December 29, 2021, Maxwell was convicted on five federal charges, including sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy, leading to a 20-year prison sentence in June 2022.
Despite her role in facilitating horrific abuse, Trump offered unexpected sympathy. On July 21, 2020, during a White House briefing, he said:
“I’ve met her numerous times over the years… I guess they lived in Palm beach… I wish her well, whatever it is.”
What transformed this seemingly benign comment into a flashpoint was Maxwell’s position—not just as an associate of Epstein, but as someone privy to decades of high-level secrets.
The line “I guess they lived in Palm Beach” stands out — as if Trump, who had partied with Epstein and Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago, suddenly couldn’t quite remember. It was a moment of selective amnesia, revealing just how quickly he tried to distance himself once real consequences loomed.
On Michael Wolff’s podcast, Trump was described as being “very wary” of Maxwell’s arrest and her potential to reveal damaging information. According to Wolff, Trump mused aloud, “What could she say? What would she say? And should he pardon her?”—indicating deep concern over what Maxwell might disclose.
During Maxwell’s legal battles, Epstein’s flight logs and his so-called “black book” of contacts returned to the spotlight. While parts of these materials first surfaced in 2015 during Virginia Giuffre’s defamation lawsuit against Maxwell, they gained renewed prominence during Maxwell’s high-profile 2021 trial.
Trump’s name appears in Epstein’s black book17, alongside his private phone numbers and contact information. Additionally, Trump’s name appears at least seven times in Epstein’s flight logs1819, including flights in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The logs and address book mapped Epstein’s vast social network — from billionaires to royalty, politicians to celebrities — and served as a stark reminder of just how many powerful people circled around Epstein and Maxwell, and how many might have had reasons to see these secrets buried.
The Final Chapter: "Case Closed"
As Trump geared up for his 2024 presidential campaign, his supporters made it clear: they wanted the Epstein files released. For them, these files symbolized the final battle against the so-called "deep state" — the ultimate proof that Trump would drain the swamp once and for all.
During a Fox News interview in 2024, Trump was asked if he would declassify several explosive document troves: the JFK files, the 9/11 files, and the Epstein files. In the edited version aired that weekend, Trump appeared fully on board. But in the full, unedited version — which wasn't aired right away — Trump hesitated. He said that maybe he wouldn't release the Epstein files because "it could ruin some people's lives."
Most of MAGA never saw this hesitation. They only saw the hype: Pam Bondi confidently claiming she had the Epstein client list "on her desk," Alina Habba promising "incredibly disturbing" disclosures, and MAGA influencers proudly posing with the so-called "Phase 1" binders at the White House in February 2025.
So when Trump kept his word — ironically — and closed the case without releasing the files, his base erupted. The same supporters who once treated him as a prophetic figure suddenly ratioed him on Truth Social, demanding to know why he had shut it all down.
Trump snapped at a reporter — "Are you still talking about this creep? This is unbelievable." — and launched into an angry online rant, only to find himself drowned out by thousands of replies from his own loyalists.
Why did he hesitate? Whose life was he really afraid of ruining?
Why do you think he’s so desperate to make everyone move on now that his DOJ has officially buried the case? 😉
Given everything you’ve read here, you might already have an idea.
For me, I’ll just call him Donald Trumpstein until he offers a good reason not to, like releasing the #TrumpsteinFiles.
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Elissa Steedman, Why top Trump officials are fighting over an Epstein document they say does not exist, ABC News (July 12, 2025).
Summary: This article details the public rift within the Trump administration after Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI leadership clashed over the existence of an Epstein “client list.” It covers Bondi’s earlier promises, the internal fallout, the DOJ’s release of CCTV footage, and the final official conclusion that no such list exists, as well as the resulting backlash from Trump’s base.
Josh Fiallo, Musk Accuses Trump of Being in the Epstein Files in Jaw-Dropping Break-up Dig, The Daily Beast (June 5, 2025).
Summary: This article reports on Elon Musk’s public accusation that Donald Trump is named in the “Epstein files,” alleging this is why the files have not been released. It provides context on Trump’s historical relationship with Epstein, Musk and Trump’s escalating feud, and the broader political fallout, including reactions to the lack of new revelations in the Epstein case despite previous promises by the Trump administration.
Perry Stein, Justice Department says no ‘client list’ exists in Epstein sex-trafficking files, The Washington Post (July 7, 2025).
Summary: This article reports that the Justice Department and FBI concluded their review of Jeffrey Epstein case files and found no evidence of a “client list” or blackmail operation. The memo contradicts claims by Attorney General Pam Bondi and others, sparking backlash from Trump’s base. The piece details political fallout, White House defenses of Bondi, and the ongoing impact of conspiracy theories, while also noting Trump’s earlier praise of Epstein and later attempts to distance himself.
James Halpin, Mysterious 'lost minute' in Epstein CCTV fuels conspiracy theories but Trump rages: ‘We still talking about this creep?’, The Sun (July 9, 2025).
Summary: This article covers renewed conspiracy theories after the release of Epstein’s prison CCTV footage revealed a missing minute at 11:59 p.m. It describes the FBI and DOJ’s findings that Epstein died by suicide, the absence of any “client list,” and Donald Trump’s angry response to continued questions about Epstein during a cabinet meeting, telling reporters to move on from the subject
Metadata Shows the FBI’s ‘Raw’ Jeffrey Epstein Prison Video Was Likely Modified, WIRED (July 2025).
Summary: This article reveals that “raw” prison video footage of Jeffrey Epstein’s cell released by the DOJ showed signs of being edited using Adobe Premiere, according to metadata analysis. Experts caution there’s no evidence of deceptive tampering, but the lack of a clear chain of custody and an unexplained missing minute in the footage have fueled further conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.
Justin Baragona, Piers Morgan calls out Alina Habba for hyping ‘incredibly disturbing’ Epstein files that never materialized, The Independent (July 7, 2025).
Summary: This article details how Alina Habba, a top Trump official, repeatedly promised “shocking” new revelations from the Epstein investigation but those files never materialized. The piece tracks the resulting backlash from MAGA supporters, the DOJ memo stating no Epstein “client list” exists and growing right-wing frustration as conspiracy theories go unfulfilled.
Sara Dorn, ‘Pam Bondi Made A Bunch Of Ludicrous Claims’ About Epstein Files, Tucker Carlson Says, Forbes (July 14, 2025).
Summary: This article covers Tucker Carlson’s criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi for making “ludicrous claims” about the Epstein investigation and the so-called “Epstein client list.” It describes the growing backlash from Trump’s base, Bondi’s failed promises of revelations, and Trump’s own efforts to downplay the controversy and defend Bondi, urging his supporters to move on from the Epstein files.
Donald Trump, Post on Truth Social, Truth Social (July 12, 2025).
Summary: In a lengthy Truth Social post, Donald Trump lashes out at his supporters and allies for criticizing Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Epstein files, claims the files are a “hoax” created by political enemies, and urges his base to move on from the Epstein story, emphasizing his administration’s achievements and repeating claims that the 2020 and 2024 elections were rigged.
Landon Thomas Jr., Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery, New York Magazine (October 28, 2002).
Summary: In this 2002 profile, Donald Trump is quoted saying, “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy… He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.” The article provides context for Epstein’s secretive financial dealings and social circles, as well as his close connections to powerful figures like Donald Trump.
Josh Gerstein, Unsealed documents detail alleged Epstein victim’s recruitment at Mar-a-Lago, Politico (August 9, 2019).
Summary: This article summarizes unsealed court documents showing that Virginia Giuffre was allegedly recruited to work for Jeffrey Epstein while employed as a teen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. It covers her accusations against Epstein, the involvement of Ghislaine Maxwell, responses from other public figures, and clarifies that Giuffre never accused Trump of sexual misconduct. The article also notes Trump’s past praise of Epstein and confirms that flight logs place Trump on at least one Epstein flight.
Virginia Giuffre, plaintiff in Epstein and Prince Andrew sex trafficking case, dies at 41, PBS NewsHour (April 26, 2025).
Summary: This obituary reports that Virginia Giuffre, a central plaintiff and advocate against sex trafficking who accused Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, died by suicide at age 41 in Australia. The article details her years as a vocal advocate for survivors, her legal battles, her founding of the SOAR charity, and her impact on exposing sex trafficking in elite circles. Giuffre is remembered for her courage and for dedicating much of her life to helping other survivors.
Hugh Dougherty, Listen To The Jeffrey Epstein Tapes: ‘I Was Donald Trump’s Closest Friend’, The Daily Beast — via House Records (February 2025).
Summary: This article covers recordings of Jeffrey Epstein made by author Michael Wolff, in which Epstein claims he was Trump’s “closest friend” for a decade and details their exploits, including sexual conquests and affairs. Epstein alleges Trump first slept with Melania on Epstein’s jet and describes Trump’s womanizing, manipulative behavior, and lack of empathy. The tapes provide new insight into the nature and extent of Trump’s long association with Epstein, and contain unverified allegations about Trump’s personal conduct and attitude toward women
Kendall Taggart, Jessica Garrison, and Jessica Testa, Teen Beauty Queens Say Trump Walked In On Them Changing, BuzzFeed News (October 12, 2016; updated October 13, 2016).
Summary: This article reports that multiple former Miss Teen USA contestants allege Donald Trump entered their dressing room while they were changing in 1997, when some were as young as 15. Trump allegedly told the teens, “Don’t worry, ladies, I’ve seen it all before.” While some contestants dispute the account, others described feeling shocked and uncomfortable. The piece also contextualizes Trump’s public boasts about entering pageant dressing rooms, a behavior he described as a prerogative of ownership.
Ayesha Rascoe, Trump Defends Labor Secretary Acosta Over Epstein Plea Deal, NPR (July 9, 2019).
Summary: This article covers President Trump’s defense of Labor Secretary Alex Acosta amid criticism over Acosta’s 2007 plea deal with Jeffrey Epstein. Trump distances himself from Epstein, saying he was “not a fan,” but the article notes Trump’s earlier praise of Epstein in 2002 as a “terrific guy” who “likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” The piece also details bipartisan calls for Acosta’s resignation after Epstein’s arrest on new sex trafficking charges.
Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman, Jeffrey Epstein Was a ‘Terrific Guy,’ Donald Trump Once Said. Now He’s ‘Not a Fan.’, The New York Times (July 9, 2019).
Summary: This article traces the decades-long relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, including their socializing at Mar-a-Lago and elsewhere. It documents Trump’s 2002 praise of Epstein as a “terrific guy” who “likes beautiful women… on the younger side,” and his later attempts to distance himself, saying he “had a falling out” with Epstein and was “not a fan.” The piece also addresses conflicting accounts about Epstein’s conduct and Trump’s eventual barring of Epstein from Mar-a-Lago.
Epstein’s death was a ‘perfect storm of screw-ups,’ says AG Barr, PBS NewsHour (November 22, 2019).
Summary: This article covers Attorney General William Barr’s statement that, while he initially suspected foul play in Jeffrey Epstein’s jailhouse death, he ultimately concluded that Epstein’s suicide was enabled by a “perfect storm of screw-ups” at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Barr reviewed security footage and found no evidence of outside involvement, reaffirming the medical examiner’s suicide finding. The piece also details lapses by jail staff and ongoing investigations into the failures surrounding Epstein’s death.
Megan Loe, Trump mention in Epstein's 'black book' resurfaced during Musk spat. Here's the context, Snopes (June 5, 2025).
Summary: This fact check confirms that Donald Trump’s name—and the names of his relatives—appear in Jeffrey Epstein’s “black book” of contacts, which resurfaced during a public feud with Elon Musk. Snopes emphasizes that being listed in the book does not implicate Trump in any crimes but affirms his documented social and business connections to Epstein. The article provides screenshots of the entries and additional historical context on Trump and Epstein’s relationship.
Liam Quinn, Donald Trump Named in Jeffrey Epstein Flight Logs Released by His Own Attorney General, People Magazine (February 28, 2025).
Summary: This article reports that Donald Trump’s name appeared seven times in Jeffrey Epstein’s flight logs, which were released by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The logs show Trump flew with Epstein, his then-wife Marla Maples, and daughter Tiffany on several occasions. The article notes the appearance of a name on the logs does not indicate wrongdoing and provides context on the broader release of Epstein files. It also reiterates Trump’s earlier praise for Epstein and later attempts to distance himself.
READ: Epstein docs, flight logs released by Trump administration, Axios (February 28, 2025).
Summary: This article details the Trump administration’s public release of over 100 pages of Jeffrey Epstein files, including flight logs, a redacted contact book, and evidence lists. The story notes criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi for the lack of new information and provides direct links to the documents. It also contextualizes Trump’s prior social connection to Epstein, noting that Trump has not been implicated in Epstein’s crimes.
To paraphase a quote from another famous horror movie: "the way he walks is thorny."