A newly released FBI document reveals a surprising phone call from the mid-2000s: Donald Trump contacted the Palm Beach Police Department regarding Jeffrey Epstein. The call wasn't simply an inquiry, but a complex message of both gratitude and direction, according to a 2019 interview with the department’s former chief.
The document details Trump telling the police chief, “thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.” This suggests a pre-existing awareness of Epstein’s alleged crimes, even as the investigation was just beginning. It paints a picture of someone not shocked by the allegations, but rather acknowledging a long-held suspicion.
However, Trump’s concern didn’t stop with Epstein. He reportedly directed the police to focus their attention on Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, labeling her as “evil.” This pointed focus suggests a belief that Maxwell was central to the alleged criminal activity, a key operative in Epstein’s network.
The former police chief, Michael Reiter, confirmed the call took place in July 2006, though he declined to provide further comment. The FBI interview also revealed Trump recounted a personal experience where he quickly removed himself from a situation involving Epstein and teenagers, stating he “got the hell out of there.”
This account aligns with Trump’s previous statements about distancing himself from Epstein. He has consistently maintained that he expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago resort once the extent of the allegations became known. The FBI document corroborates this claim, stating Trump told investigators he “threw Epstein out of his club.”
The investigation into Epstein began in 2005, triggered by a report of a 14-year-old girl allegedly being molested. This initial call quickly expanded into a wider investigation uncovering numerous similar allegations, drawing Reiter and the Palm Beach Police Department into the heart of the case.
Epstein, a financier with connections to powerful figures, was convicted of sex trafficking in 2008, serving a brief sentence marked by controversy. He was later arrested in 2019 on new charges, only to be found dead in his jail cell shortly after, a death ruled a suicide.
The release of this FBI document is part of a larger effort to bring transparency to the Epstein case, spurred by legislation signed into law requiring the Justice Department to release related files. The information surfaced years after Epstein’s death, adding another layer to the complex and disturbing narrative surrounding his crimes.
Reiter’s interview with the FBI occurred just two months after Epstein’s death, suggesting investigators were keen to gather information while memories were fresh. The document offers a rare glimpse into the early stages of the investigation and the surprising involvement of a future president.
