Onboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump shed light on his decision to ban Jeffrey Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, emphasizing that the late financier's removal was due to his practice of poaching employees from the club's spa. Trump's clarifications come amidst growing scrutiny over the Epstein investigation and provide a more nuanced understanding of his prior dealings with Epstein.
Trump noted that Epstein had been warned against hiring staff from Mar-a-Lago's spa but continued to do so, leading to his expulsion from the property. “When I heard about it, I told him, I said, listen, we don’t want you taking our people, whether it’s spa or not spa… And he was fine. And not too long after he did it again. And I said outta here,” Trump recounted. His remarks further illuminated the relationship between the two men, which has been a topic of much speculation.
The issue resurfaced after Trump described Epstein as having "stolen people who worked for me," a statement that some media outlets claimed contradicted previous descriptions of Epstein's behavior as merely being a "creep." Trump, however, insisted that both descriptions were accurate and reflective of Epstein's conduct.
One of the workers allegedly poached by Epstein was Virginia Giuffre, a central figure in the Epstein sex trafficking scandal, who had previously worked briefly at Mar-a-Lago. Trump mentioned Giuffre specifically, suggesting she was among those Epstein targeted. The late Giuffre, who tragically died by suicide earlier this year, had been a vocal accuser against Epstein.
As the Epstein investigation continues to unfold, Attorney General Pam Bondi disclosed that, contrary to earlier suggestions, no client list was found. This revelation came on the heels of the Department of Justice concluding its investigation without further charges or public disclosures. Trump indicated his direction to Bondi to "open up more files," an effort that has been met with judicial roadblocks. Despite these setbacks, the story of Epstein's ban from Mar-a-Lago has remained a focal point, with Trump emphasizing his early action against Epstein's inappropriate behavior.
Trump's comments provide additional context to his long-standing assertions of having distanced himself from Epstein. He has frequently highlighted his proactive stance in banning Epstein from his property well before the sex trafficking charges became public. This narrative contributes to the understanding of Trump's actions in the face of Epstein's alleged misconduct and the broader implications for the ongoing discourse surrounding the case.
