Trump Claims Epstein 'Stole' Virginia Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago Staff

In a recent statement aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump alleged that Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, “stole” Virginia Giuffre and other young female employees from his Mar-a-Lago resort. This remark comes amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding Trump’s past associations with Epstein and the implications of their relationship. Trump, responding to questions from the media during his return flight from Scotland, recounted how he had previously expelled Epstein from Mar-a-Lago due to inappropriate behavior, specifically citing Epstein's alleged poaching of staff members.

"I kicked him out of my club for being a creep," Trump stated, emphasizing that his departure from Epstein was motivated by personal grievances rather than awareness of Epstein's criminal activities. According to senior White House aides, Trump’s break from Epstein occurred around 2004, following various allegations against Epstein that were surfacing at the time.

The President’s comments have reignited discussions about Giuffre, who was reportedly hired away from Mar-a-Lago by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, when she was only 16 years old. Giuffre has been a prominent figure in the legal battles against Epstein and Maxwell, alleging that she was abused by both.

In his remarks, Trump acknowledged that Giuffre was indeed among those poached employees, stating, "I think she worked at the spa. I think so. I think that was one of the people, yeah. He stole her." Trump further claimed that Giuffre had no complaints about her time at Mar-a-Lago, an assertion that stands in contrast to her allegations against Epstein and Maxwell.

This narrative complicates Trump's previous praise for Epstein, including a 2002 interview where he referred to Epstein as a "terrific guy" and commented on their shared interest in beautiful women. Sarah Blaskey, an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald, highlighted in her 2020 publication that Epstein remained on the Mar-a-Lago membership rolls until October 2007, well after his initial arrest for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking operation, has indicated her willingness to testify before Congress but has requested immunity, along with other conditions, from lawmakers, as reported by CNN.

The implications of Trump’s comments extend beyond personal grievances, touching on broader themes of accountability and the intersection of power and abuse. The ongoing legal and social ramifications of the Epstein scandal continue to resonate, affecting public perceptions of those associated with him, including Trump, who faces critical examination from various political and social spheres. As the investigation into the extensive network surrounding Epstein progresses, the conversations initiated by Trump’s recent remarks are likely to evolve, potentially influencing public discourse and policy on sexual abuse and trafficking.