The U.S. Department of Justice released FBI documents stating that the former police chief of Palm Beach, Florida, received a phone call from Donald Trump in 2006. Trump said that "everyone knew well" about the inappropriate behavior of Jeffrey Epstein, the financier charged with sexual abuse of minors.
The documents are FBI interview records from 2019 with the former Palm Beach police chief, stating that Trump called after police began investigating Epstein and said, "It's good that you stopped him. Everyone has known for a long time that he did things like this."
Although the officers' names were redacted in the documents, it clearly identifies the individual as the Palm Beach police chief at that time. Local media, including the Miami Herald, reported that this was Michael Reiter, who confirmed he indeed received the call from Trump.
President Trump has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and involvement. However, the information in these documents could raise new questions about what Trump knew and when he became aware of these matters.
In 2019, after Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges, reporters asked Trump if he had suspected Epstein's behavior. Trump replied, "No, I didn't know. I really didn't know and haven't been in contact with him for a long time." However, FBI records indicate that Reiter said Trump told him in 2006 that he had expelled Epstein from the Mar-a-Lago club and said, "People in New York know he's disgusting."
Additionally, Trump was said to have mentioned that Ghislaine Maxwell was Epstein's "main helper" and a dangerous person, advising the police to focus their investigation on her. Maxwell was later sentenced in 2021 for her role in recruiting girls for Epstein's sexual abuse.
Reiter also claimed that Trump said he had been near Epstein when minors were present and decided to "leave immediately." The documents note that Trump was among the first to call Florida police when he learned about the Epstein investigation in 2006.
At that time, Palm Beach police were investigating Epstein for allegations of sexually abusing several underage girls before the case was handed over to federal prosecutors. This led to a controversial 2008 plea deal widely criticized for favoring Epstein and allowing him to avoid serious charges.
Justice Department officials stated there is no other evidence confirming that Trump contacted authorities during that period.
Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said it could not be confirmed whether the call actually occurred but emphasized that Trump has always said he expelled Epstein from the club because he was an inappropriate person. "If the call did happen, it only confirms what the president has said from the start."
Trump and Epstein were photographed together in the 1990s, but the White House insists Trump cut ties with Epstein around 2004, years before Epstein's first arrest. Trump explained their relationship ended because Epstein tried to lure employees from his club to work for him.
The report about this phone call surfaced after Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year prison sentence, testified via video before the U.S. House Oversight Committee. She declined to answer many questions, citing her constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Maxwell's lawyer said she is willing to provide full information if granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump. However, Trump has stated he has not considered pardoning her.
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