A newly released FBI document has reignited scrutiny over Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. The document, part of the latest batch of Epstein files, reveals a 2006 phone call between Trump and Michael Reiter, the former Palm Beach police chief who led the initial investigation into Epstein’s activities. According to the FBI’s summary of Reiter’s 2019 interview, Trump told him: “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this” [1]. This statement directly contradicts Trump’s repeated assertions that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal behavior before cutting ties with him in the early 2000s.
The call reportedly occurred in July 2006, shortly after Epstein’s first sex crime charges became public. At the time, Reiter was leading a local investigation into Epstein’s alleged sexual exploitation of underage girls, which would later be handed over to federal authorities [3]. In the conversation, Trump reportedly told Reiter that he had thrown Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club and that “people in New York knew he was disgusting” [5]. He also described Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, as “evil” and advised Reiter to focus on her [1]. These details paint a picture of a man who, at the very least, was aware of Epstein’s troubling behavior well before the federal investigation.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating in 2019 that he “had no idea” about Epstein’s crimes [3]. He has claimed he cut ties with Epstein around 2004, citing a dispute over employees at Mar-a-Lago as the reason for their falling out [4]. However, the 2006 call suggests a more complex timeline. If true, the call implies that Trump was not only aware of Epstein’s activities but also believed they were widely known among powerful circles in New York [6].
The White House has responded cautiously to the revelation. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the call but said it “may or may not have happened” [4]. She reiterated that Trump “kicked” Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago and that he has been “honest and transparent” about ending their relationship [8]. Still, the discrepancy between Trump’s public statements and the FBI’s account raises serious questions about his credibility.
The document also reveals that Trump claimed to have been present when Epstein was with teenagers and said he “got the hell out of there” [5]. This adds another layer to the narrative, suggesting Trump may have had direct exposure to Epstein’s conduct. The timing of the call—just as the Palm Beach investigation was gaining momentum—further underscores the significance of his alleged comments.
While the White House has not confirmed the authenticity of the call, the FBI’s documentation of Reiter’s account lends it credibility. As more of the Epstein files are released, the full extent of the network surrounding the financier may come into sharper focus. For now, the 2006 call stands as a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s ties to one of the most notorious figures in modern American history.
