Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
Newly released private emails from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein mention Donald Trump multiple times, shedding fresh light on the relationship between the two men. The correspondence, obtained and released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, includes messages to Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff, largely predating Trump’s presidency. Trump has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein or Maxwell, and he did not send or receive any of the messages.
Epstein’s References to Trump
In an email dated April 2, 2011, Epstein wrote to Maxwell, stating, “i want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. (REDACTED) spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there.” Maxwell replied, “I have been thinking about that…” Oversight Democrats described the redacted individual as a victim of Epstein’s sex trafficking.
Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking after Epstein’s death, denied in a recent interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche ever seeing Trump in an inappropriate setting or at Epstein’s house. She stated that she witnessed the two men together in social settings and that Trump “was a gentleman in all respects” during those times.
Another email, sent by Epstein to Wolff in January 2019, addressed Trump’s claim that he asked Epstein to resign his membership from the Mar-a-Lago Club. Epstein wrote, “trump said he asked me to resign,” adding, “never a member ever. . of course he knew about the girls as he asked to Ghislaine to stop.” Trump’s team has previously stated he barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago “for being a creep,” and Trump himself said Epstein “stole” young women who worked at the club’s spa.
Wolff’s Advice to Epstein
The newly released emails also include an exchange between Wolff and Epstein from December 15, 2015, the day of a CNN Republican primary debate. Wolff alerted Epstein that CNN might question Trump about their relationship. Epstein then asked Wolff for advice on how to craft an answer for Trump.
Wolff suggested Epstein “let him hang himself” by allowing Trump to deny being on Epstein’s plane or at his house, which could create “valuable PR and political currency” for Epstein. Alternatively, Wolff noted, if Trump’s presidential bid seemed strong, Epstein could “save him, generating a debt.” Wolff has publicly stated he interviewed Epstein, and reports from The Daily Beast indicate recordings exist where Epstein discussed Trump and claimed they were close friends, assertions Trump’s camp has called “false smears.”
Broader Context and Congressional Scrutiny
Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in a minimum-security prison in June 2008 after pleading guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution, including with a minor. He was released in July 2009 after serving 13 months, a plea deal that later drew significant media scrutiny for its leniency. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The release of these emails comes amid ongoing congressional efforts to compel the release of more government files related to Epstein. The House Oversight Committee obtained these materials after subpoenaing Epstein’s estate. Trump’s association with Epstein has been public for years, with Trump denying any wrongdoing and previously filing a libel lawsuit against reporters regarding a story about letters gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday.
