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Fact check: Trump and Epstien
1. Summary of the results
The relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein was complex and evolved over time. They were documented friends for approximately 15 years [1], with Trump appearing in Epstein's flight logs at least seven times [2]. While they shared social circles and were photographed together [1], their relationship reportedly ended in a falling out around 2004, approximately 15 years before Epstein's 2019 charges [3].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
- Trump's statements about Epstein changed dramatically over time. In 2002, he made positive statements about Epstein, but later claimed he "was not a fan" after Epstein's crimes became public [4].
- While both Trump and Bill Clinton had social relationships with Epstein, these connections don't explain or relate to Epstein's death [5].
- FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Dan Bongino have explicitly stated that Epstein died by suicide, dismissing conspiracy theories after reviewing the full file [6].
- Recent unsealing of court documents included both Trump and Clinton's names, but the documents did not insinuate any wrongdoing and were simply legal disclosures [7].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
Several important distinctions need to be made to avoid misinterpretation:
- While Michael Wolff claims to have seen "lewd images" of Trump and Epstein with young women, these claims remain unverified [1].
- Being named in Epstein's documents or contact book does not imply wrongdoing [8] [4].
- Despite allegations by figures like Elon Musk, no concrete evidence has emerged linking Trump directly to Epstein's criminal activities [3].
The topic has become highly politicized, with various groups potentially benefiting from different narratives:
- Political opponents benefit from emphasizing the Trump-Epstein connection
- Trump supporters benefit from emphasizing the Clinton-Epstein connection
- Media outlets benefit from sensationalizing conspiracy theories about Epstein's death, despite official conclusions about suicide