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Fact check: Is trump on epstein flight logs
1. Summary of the results
Yes, Donald Trump appears on Jeffrey Epstein's flight logs, with multiple sources confirming he flew on Epstein's private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997 [1]. However, it's crucial to note that Trump was often accompanied by his then-wife Marla Maples and his children on these flights [1], and the flights were primarily between Palm Beach and New York [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several important contextual points need to be considered:
- There is no documented evidence that Trump ever visited Epstein's private island [1]
- Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser, stated she did not believe Trump participated in any of Epstein's crimes [2]
- Trump and Epstein were known to be friends in the 1990s, with Trump describing Epstein as a "terrific guy" in a 2002 interview [3]
- David Schoen, Epstein's former attorney, has claimed that Epstein had no compromising information about Trump [4]
- A recent separate incident involved a Trump campaign leasing a former Epstein-owned Gulfstream jet in 2024, though this was not the infamous "Lolita Express" [5]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The question about flight logs often carries implied assumptions that need addressing:
- Being on flight logs does not automatically imply wrongdoing - the released Epstein files did not implicate Trump in any criminal conduct [1] [4]
- There is no evidence of a comprehensive "client list" for Epstein, despite ongoing conspiracy theories [6]
- The flight logs mentioned in recent releases were actually made public in 2021, with no new revelations about Trump [6]
Those who benefit from pushing various narratives include:
- Political opponents who might benefit from implying guilt by association
- Media outlets benefiting from sensationalized coverage of the connection
- Trump's supporters who benefit from emphasizing the lack of evidence of wrongdoing
- Conspiracy theorists who benefit from creating connections where none may exist