A bombshell investigation has revealed that Donald Trump's second wife, Marla Maples, expressed deep-seated concerns about the presence of financier Jeffrey Epstein at the Mar-a-Lago club years before his crimes became public knowledge. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Maples's unease was shared with staff during the mid-1990s, marking a stark departure from her typically reserved demeanour.
Early Misgivings and a 'Wrong' Influence
The report details that after the Palm Beach estate opened in 1995, Marla Maples had 'widely shared' misgivings about Epstein, who had attended the couple's 1993 wedding at New York's Plaza Hotel. Former employees stated that Maples told them something about Epstein felt 'wrong' and 'off'. She reportedly worried about his influence over Trump and did not wish for either of them to spend time with him.
These comments were noted as being out of character for Maples, who rarely spoke ill of anyone to Trump's staff. Her early warnings preceded the formal complaint that would later lead to Epstein's expulsion from the club.
Epstein's Privileged Access and Spa Allegations
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Epstein was a frequent visitor to Mar-a-Lago. Although not an official member, Trump instructed staff to treat him as one. Epstein often requested that spa employees from the club visit his nearby Palm Beach mansion for massages, manicures, and other services.
Former employees claimed that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate now imprisoned for her role in his crimes, would schedule these appointments. Rumours swirled for years among staff about Epstein exposing himself during sessions, yet the house calls continued.
The 2003 Ban and Subsequent Fallout
The dynamic shifted in 2003 when an 18-year-old beautician reported to her superiors that Epstein had pressured her for sex during an appointment. A spa manager faxed the allegations to Trump, requesting Epstein be banned.
Trump responded by telling the manager to 'kick him out'. While the incident was disclosed to Mar-a-Lago's HR team, it was not reported to Palm Beach police. Local law enforcement only began investigating Epstein two years later, following a parent's complaint. He was eventually arrested in 2006.
The Journal's report emerges as the Justice Department releases new Epstein documents, refocusing scrutiny on Trump's past relationship with the financier. In response, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the story as 'fallacies and innuendo' designed to smear the President, asserting Trump 'kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of Mar a Lago for being a creep.'
On Christmas Day, Trump claimed on Truth Social that he was the 'only one' who dropped Epstein, 'long before it became fashionable to do so.' The Daily Mail has approached a representative for Marla Maples for comment.
