The Trump-Epstein Relationship
Documented Timeline of a 15+ Year Social Relationship
Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein maintained a documented social relationship spanning from the 1980s through the early 2000s. This relationship is established through Trump's own public statements, photographs, witness accounts, and contemporaneous reporting. The nature and extent of this relationship, combined with Trump's later attempts to distance himself from Epstein, raises questions about what Trump knew and when he knew it.
This documentation presents a comprehensive timeline of the Trump-Epstein relationship, organized chronologically with full sourcing and context. All content is drawn from verified sources including Trump's own statements, court records, contemporaneous media reports, and witness testimony.
What Trump Said About Epstein
2002: Public Praise
"I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy." Trump told New York Magazine in a 2002 profile of Epstein. "He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it—Jeffrey enjoys his social life."
This statement, given in 2002, establishes that Trump and Epstein's social relationship began around 1987. Trump's characterization of Epstein as a "terrific guy" and his acknowledgment that Epstein liked women "on the younger side" demonstrates Trump's awareness of Epstein's preferences and his apparent lack of concern about them.
2015-2016: Initial Distancing
During the 2016 presidential campaign, as questions about the Epstein relationship emerged, Trump began publicly distancing himself. He claimed he "was not a fan" of Epstein and suggested their relationship was more limited than previously indicated.
2019: After Epstein's Arrest
Following Epstein's July 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump told reporters: "I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan."
Trump also stated: "I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him... He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him. I haven't spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you."
2024: "Fake News" Claims
In 2024, as more Epstein-related documents were unsealed, Trump claimed on Truth Social that media coverage of his Epstein connections was "fake news" and that he "banned" Epstein from Mar-a-Lago.
Analysis of Shifting Narratives
Trump's public statements about Epstein have evolved significantly over time—from enthusiastic praise in 2002 ("terrific guy") to claims of minimal relationship and a "falling out" after Epstein's arrest. The timeline of these shifting narratives corresponds directly with Epstein's legal troubles becoming public, suggesting strategic distancing rather than consistent recollection.
Documented Interactions
1992: Mar-a-Lago Party
In November 1992, Trump hosted a party at Mar-a-Lago attended by Jeffrey Epstein. Video footage from the event, obtained by NBC News in 2019, shows Trump and Epstein together, laughing and talking while gesturing toward women dancing at the party. The guest list appears to have included only Trump, Epstein, and approximately 28 young women who were flown in for the event—described by some as calendar girls and models.
1997: Mutual Friend George Houraney
George Houraney, a businessman who organized events, stated that Trump asked him to organize a "calendar girl" competition at Mar-a-Lago in 1992, and that both Trump and Epstein were involved in the arrangements. Houraney later told reporters he warned Trump about Epstein's behavior around young women, saying "I said, 'Look, Donald, I know Jeff really well, I can't have him going after younger girls.'" According to Houraney, Trump responded: "Look, I'm putting my name on this. I wouldn't put my name on it and have a scandal."
Late 1990s - Early 2000s: Social Circuit
Multiple witnesses and contemporaneous reports document Trump and Epstein socializing together in Manhattan and Palm Beach throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were photographed together at multiple social events, and both were members of the Palm Beach social elite. Phone records from Epstein's address book, released in court proceedings, included multiple phone numbers for Trump, Trump's wife, and Trump family members.
2000: Rides on Epstein's Plane
Flight logs obtained through legal proceedings show Trump flew on Epstein's private plane at least once in January 2000, from Palm Beach to Newark. Mark Epstein, Jeffrey's brother, was also on the flight. While Trump has claimed he only flew on Epstein's plane once or never, the documented flight log evidence contradicts claims of no relationship.
2004-2005: Claimed "Falling Out"
Trump has claimed he had a "falling out" with Epstein in this timeframe. Various accounts suggest this may have been related to a real estate deal in Palm Beach, though specifics remain disputed. No contemporaneous documentation of the falling out has been made public. Epstein's 2006 arrest on solicitation charges in Florida occurred shortly after this claimed falling out.
Witness Accounts
Tom Barrack (Trump Advisor)
Tom Barrack, a longtime Trump friend and advisor, confirmed in court proceedings that Trump and Epstein were "good friends" who socialized regularly in Palm Beach and New York in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Mark Epstein (Jeffrey's Brother)
Mark Epstein confirmed Trump and Jeffrey were friends and socialized together, including Trump flying on Jeffrey's plane. Mark was present on the documented January 2000 flight.
George Houraney (Event Organizer)
Houraney stated he warned Trump about Epstein's behavior around young women before the 1992 Mar-a-Lago party. His account suggests Trump was aware of concerns about Epstein's conduct toward young women as early as 1992, yet continued the social relationship for years afterward.
Bradley Edwards (Victims' Attorney)
Bradley Edwards, an attorney who represented multiple Epstein victims, stated in court proceedings that Trump was "the only person" who provided useful information to his investigation in 2009. Edwards said Trump was "very helpful" and spoke with him voluntarily. However, the substance of Trump's cooperation and what information he provided has not been made public.
James Patterson (Author)
Author James Patterson, who interviewed Trump for a book about Epstein, recounted that Trump told him Epstein was a "great guy" before Epstein's arrest, but later changed his characterization after the legal troubles became public.
Comprehensive Timeline
- Mid-1980s: Trump and Epstein reportedly meet in New York/Palm Beach social circles. Both are wealthy real estate/finance figures in Manhattan elite society.
- 1987 (approximately): Based on Trump's 2002 statement ("I've known Jeff for 15 years"), the social relationship begins around this time.
- 1992: Mar-a-Lago party video shows Trump and Epstein together with young women. George Houraney later reports warning Trump about Epstein's behavior.
- Late 1990s: Multiple photographs document Trump and Epstein together at social events in New York and Palm Beach. Epstein's "black book" includes Trump family phone numbers.
- January 2000: Flight logs document Trump on Epstein's plane from Palm Beach to Newark.
- 2002: Trump gives effusive praise of Epstein to New York Magazine, calling him "terrific guy" and noting his preference for women "on the younger side."
- 2004-2005: Trump claims they had a "falling out" around this time, though no contemporaneous documentation exists. Possible connection to Palm Beach real estate deal.
- 2006: Epstein arrested in Palm Beach on solicitation charges. Plea deal results in minimal jail time.
- 2015-2016: During presidential campaign, Trump begins publicly distancing from Epstein, claiming limited relationship.
- July 2019: After Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump claims he "wasn't a fan" and hadn't spoken to Epstein in 15 years.
- August 2019: Epstein dies in federal custody, ruled suicide.
- 2024-Present: As more documents are unsealed, Trump claims media coverage is "fake news" and that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago (though timing and details remain unclear).
Why This Relationship Matters
Character and judgment: The documented social relationship between Trump and a convicted sex trafficker, spanning over 15 years, raises legitimate questions about Trump's judgment, character, and awareness of Epstein's criminal behavior.
Awareness of Epstein's behavior: Trump's 2002 statement that Epstein "likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side" demonstrates Trump was aware of Epstein's preferences for young women at least 17 years before Epstein's 2019 arrest.
Warning from George Houraney: The account that Houraney explicitly warned Trump about Epstein's behavior around young women in 1992—yet Trump continued the relationship for years—suggests Trump may have prioritized social connections over concerns about potential misconduct.
Pattern of distancing: Trump's evolving narrative—from enthusiastic praise to claims of minimal relationship—follows the pattern of Epstein's legal troubles, suggesting strategic repositioning rather than honest recollection. This raises questions about what Trump is seeking to obscure and why.