Speaking from Scotland on July 28, US President Donald Trump denied ever visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s island and distanced himself from the disgraced financier.
“For years, I wouldn’t talk to Jeffrey Epstein. I wouldn’t talk—because he did something that was inappropriate. He hired help, and I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ He stole people that work for me. I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ He did it again, and I threw him out of the place, persona non grata. I threw him out, and that was it. I’m glad I did,” he said. The remarks follow renewed scrutiny after a Department of Justice memo dismissed claims of a client list. Trump also rejected reports linking him to explicit content in a birthday note.
The disgraced multimillionaire was found dead in his jail cell on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial for trafficking a minor. But accusations against him dated back decades. Survivors said he preyed on girls as young as 14, often luring them under the guise of giving massages in exchange for money.
Epstein allegedly used his wealth and influence to build a network that recruited girls and connected him to powerful figures, including politicians, Hollywood elites, and even royalty. While no credible evidence has been found to implicate other parties who could have been involved, it is undeniable that Epstein had many connections who could have known about him engaging in child exploitation for years.
Click through the following gallery to learn more about the notable figures we already know were friends with Epstein before his downfall.