Trump Named in Epstein Files? Old Photos, Birthday Letter Allegations Spark Controversy
Washington DC
A fresh storm has erupted in U.S. politics after reports surfaced linking former President Donald Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Major U.S. outlets, including CNN and The Wall Street Journal, claim Trump’s name appears in confidential Epstein-related documents — an allegation the ex-president strongly denies.
What’s in the Epstein Files?
According to media reports, former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi alerted Trump about his name appearing in Epstein-related files as early as May. While authorities, including the FBI and Justice Department, insist that no official “client list” exists, speculation over high-profile names has fueled public debate.
Photos and Past Connections Resurface
Adding fuel to the controversy, multiple old photographs of Trump with Epstein have gone viral on social media. One image reportedly shows Epstein attending Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples — a detail rarely highlighted before.
Other pictures, taken in Florida in 1997, show the two standing together at events.
Just days earlier, a Wall Street Journal report alleged Trump once sent Epstein a 50th birthday letter that included a nude photo — a claim Trump categorically denies.
Trump’s Response: ‘Fake News’
Trump has dismissed these allegations as baseless. In a brief exchange with CNN, he reportedly hung up the call, labeling the report a “joke.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung accused the media of twisting facts:
“Old photos and videos without context are being weaponized to smear the President. He banned Epstein from his club years ago for inappropriate behavior.”
A Complicated History
Trump and Epstein were socially connected during the 1990s, often spotted together at elite parties. In a 2002 interview, Trump famously said:
“I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. He’s a terrific guy… He likes beautiful women as much as I do — many of them on the younger side.”
Reports claim Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997, though only on short flights between Palm Beach and New York. Trump denies ever visiting Epstein’s private island.
Fallout and Feud
Their friendship reportedly ended in 2004 after a dispute over a luxury Palm Beach property, which Trump eventually purchased. By 2019, Trump stated he had not spoken to Epstein in 15 years.
Why This Matters
Epstein died under controversial circumstances in 2019, officially ruled a suicide. However, missing evidence and sealed court documents have fueled conspiracy theories. The Justice Department has promised to release the remaining files in 2025, but no clear timeline has been provided.