Explosive court documents unsealed this week have reignited controversy over former US President Donald Trump's ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The files, released as part of a settled defamation case brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, contain fresh allegations about Trump's social connections with Epstein in the early 2000s.
What the documents reveal
While Trump is not accused of criminal conduct in the filings, the papers include testimony suggesting he was a regular at Epstein's parties where underage girls were allegedly present. One witness described Trump as "a good friend" of Epstein during this period.
The documents also contain claims that Epstein bragged about his friendship with Trump, allegedly telling victims: "Don't worry about him, he's a good guy."
Trump's response
The former president has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities. In a statement following the document release, Trump's representatives emphasized he "strongly condemns Epstein's horrific crimes" and had not spoken to him in over 15 years.
Legal implications
Legal experts note the documents don't present new evidence against Trump but could fuel ongoing civil cases against Epstein's estate and associates. The unsealed material includes:
- Deposition excerpts from Epstein victims
- Flight logs showing Trump traveled on Epstein's plane
- Testimony about social gatherings at Epstein's properties
The release comes as Maxwell continues serving her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, while Epstein died in prison in 2019 awaiting trial.
