A tranche of documents released by the US House oversight committee on Wednesday revealed that Jeffrey Epstein’s staff kept him apprised of Donald Trump’s air travel, and that the late sex trafficker followed news about his former friend years after their relationship soured.
The disclosure of about 20,000 pages from Republican committee members comes as Trump continues to face political fallout over his past friendship with Epstein and his justice department’s failure to release documents as promised on the campaign trail. Most discussions surrounding Trump’s location appeared to relate to flight logistics, as both men often used the same airports.
On 25 November 2016, weeks after Trump won the presidential election, Epstein’s pilot Larry Visoski wrote: “Trump is still scheduled to depart Sunday between 4 and 6 pm. Let me know if we are firm for wheels up Saturday at 6pm still?” Epstein replied: “will let you know tomorrow morning.” Other emails tracked Trump’s movements more generally. Epstein received a heads-up on 2 December 2017: “Trump in our neighborhood today. Looks like he is going to 740 Park for a fundraiser.” The sender’s name was redacted, but it was signed by Richard Kahn, Epstein’s accountant.
The cache also indicates Epstein’s associates forwarded numerous news articles about Trump, including reports on controversies. In one December 2018 exchange, Epstein told former treasury secretary Larry Summers that “trump – borderline insane. dersh, a few feet further from the border but not by much” – apparently referencing his one-time attorney Alan Dershowitz. In March 2018, a New York Times reporter sent Epstein an article musing on whether Trump was close to a “psychiatric breakdown”. Epstein replied: “he feels alone, and is nuts !!! , I told everyone from day one. evil beyond belief mad, and most thought i was speaking metaphorically.”
A White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, said: “These emails prove literally nothing.” A representative for Summers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
