FBI Record Raises Questions About Trump’s Epstein Claims
A newly disclosed FBI interview summary has raised fresh questions about President Donald Trump’s past statements regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
The document suggests that Trump told a Florida police chief in 2006 that “everyone” knew about Epstein’s behavior. This account contrasts with Trump’s public claims that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense questioning from lawmakers on Tuesday about his own past connections to Epstein.
2006 Phone Call to Palm Beach Police Chief
According to a summary of a 2019 FBI interview, Trump contacted Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter in July 2006. At the time, authorities had made Epstein’s first sex crime charges public.
Reiter recalled that Trump said, “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.”
In addition, the document states that Trump told Reiter that people in New York were aware of Epstein’s conduct. He also described Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, as “evil.”
Furthermore, Trump reportedly said that he once found himself in Epstein’s presence when teenagers were nearby and that he “got the hell out of there.”
Political Fallout Continues
The developments highlight the ongoing political impact of the Epstein case. Weeks earlier, the Justice Department released millions of Epstein-related documents to comply with a bipartisan law.
As a result, the disclosures have triggered renewed scrutiny in Washington. Lawmakers have questioned officials with past ties to Epstein, including Lutnick.
Beyond the United States, the released files have also caused difficulties abroad. The documents revealed additional details about Epstein’s relationships with prominent figures in politics, finance, business, and academia.
Overall, the newly surfaced FBI record has added another layer of controversy to an issue that continues to challenge the administration.
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