Former President Donald Trump claimed this week that Jeffrey Epstein recruited young women directly from the spa at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including Virginia Giuffre, one of the financier’s most prominent accusers. Trump said Epstein “stole” staff from the club before being banned from the premises two decades ago.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he grew frustrated when Epstein repeatedly hired away spa employees. While initially avoiding specific names, he eventually stated that Giuffre was among those taken.
Giuffre alleged she was recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and former partner, while working at Mar-a-Lago as a teenager. She later accused Epstein and Maxwell of sexually abusing her and claimed she was trafficked to powerful men. Although her allegations were not included in criminal charges against Epstein, they remain central to widespread public interest in the case. Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year.
Trump’s comments reflect a continued effort to distance himself from Epstein, a former acquaintance whose ties to prominent figures have fueled conspiracy theories since his death in 2019 while in federal custody. The Trump administration has faced criticism for declining to release additional records from the investigation, despite earlier promises of transparency.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors. Her recent interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at a Florida courthouse has added to the renewed scrutiny surrounding the case. Officials have not disclosed details of the two-day session.
This interview was arranged after the House Oversight Committee requested her testimony. Maxwell’s attorneys have offered her cooperation in exchange for immunity from future prosecution. However, the committee has rejected the possibility of granting such protection.
The Justice Department’s July announcement that no further Epstein-related records would be released sparked backlash from some corners of Trump’s political base and revived speculation online. In response, federal officials have attempted to show a renewed commitment to transparency, including efforts to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.
Maxwell’s legal team has also petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review her conviction, arguing that her trial was unfair. They indicated she would be willing to testify publicly and candidly if granted immunity or a presidential pardon. Trump has not ruled out the possibility of a pardon but stated that no formal request has been made.
