A summary of an interview conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with a police chief in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2019 reveals that the chief received a call from Donald Trump in July 2006, shortly after Epstein was first charged with public sex crimes. According to the document, Chief Michael W. Reiter relayed a statement from Trump, who said, “Thank God you caught him, everyone knows he is doing it.” Trump reportedly told Reiter that New Yorkers knew what Epstein was doing and described Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, as a “bad person.”
When asked about the specific call, the Justice Department stated it had no evidence confirming that the President made such a call two decades ago. This disclosure comes weeks after the Justice Department released millions of files related to Epstein, complying with a bipartisan legislative proposal.
Although Trump was friends with Epstein for years, he stated that their relationship ended before the first arrest. He has repeatedly claimed he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt stated on Tuesday that Trump was “honest and transparent” regarding his decision to end the relationship with Epstein.
In a related development, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced questions from lawmakers on Tuesday regarding his connection to Epstein. Justice Department files included emails suggesting Lutnick visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island for lunch in 2012, seven years after he claimed to have severed ties. This contradicted Lutnick’s previous 2005 pledge never to see Epstein again, made after Epstein made a suggestive comment about a massage table in his home.
These revelations prompted calls for his resignation from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Lutnick testified before the Senate that the two men met only three times over 14 years and that the lunch, attended by his family, was simply because he was on a boat near the island. He stated, “I know, and my wife knows, that I have done nothing wrong.” Republican Representative Tom Massie told CNN on Sunday that Lutnick should “clear the deck for the President” and resign. However, Leavitt reaffirmed Trump’s full support for Lutnick.
