Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump: A History
The two men were friends for years, partying together in New York and Florida. "I've known Jeff for fifteen years," Trump told New York Magazine in 2002.
From the 1970s to today, over 25 women have accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape — including a 13-year-old child.
Next: His Own Words
"I don't even wait... when you're a star,
they let you do it."
— Donald Trump, Access Hollywood, 2005
What Trump said then. What we know now.
I was not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I haven't spoken to him in 15 years.
I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.
Patterns, connections, and contradictions revealed through interactive analysis
Hover over connections to see relationships
A decades-long friendship with a convicted sex trafficker
Their well-documented relationship spanned from the late 1980s until 2004
Trump in 2002: "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy... he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
Trump appeared on Epstein's flight logs 7+ timesbetween 1993-1997, including one flight with "Marla and Tiffany".
1992 NBC footage shows Trump and Epstein partying together at Mar-a-Lago with NFL cheerleaders.
Personal correspondence • Released in court filings

A personal birthday message from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, demonstrating their close personal friendship during the period when Epstein was actively trafficking young women and girls.
Trump initally denied the existence of this letter, but it was later verified through court documents.
In 2016, an anonymous plaintiff filed lawsuits alleging Trump and Epstein raped her when she was 13 years old in 1994. The case was withdrawn days before the 2016 election.
"The plaintiff alleged that Trump tied her to a bed, struck her, and threatened her family."
Their friendship ended abruptly in November 2004 over a Palm Beach mansion auction. Trump won with a $41.35 million bid. Just two weeks later, police received their first tip about young women at Epstein's home. By 2007, Epstein was reportedly banned from Mar-a-Lago.
I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.
Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret
Wall Street Journal Report • 2003
Location
Letter with naked woman outline
Date
2003
Status
Trump sued WSJ for $20 billion
The Wall Street Journal reported Trump sent a "bawdy" letter to Epstein in 2003 for his 50th birthday.
Trump filed a $20 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal the day after publication.
Lawsuit Claims:
Letter Date
2003
Peak of friendship
Friendship Ended
2004
One year later
Story Published
July 2025
WSJ revelation
I was terrified and ashamed. I was only 13 years old.
Federal Court Filing • April 2016
Location
Epstein's Manhattan Residence
Date
April 2016
Status
Withdrawn Under Threat
Content Warning: Graphic descriptions of child sexual assault
"Defendant Trump initiated sexual contact with Plaintiff at four different parties. On the fourth and final sexual encounter with Defendant Trump, Defendant Trump tied Plaintiff to a bed, exposed himself to Plaintiff, and then proceeded to forcibly rape Plaintiff. During the course of this savage sexual attack, Plaintiff loudly pleaded with Defendant Trump to stop but with no effect."
From the federal lawsuit filing, describing events from 1994
"Defendant Trump responded to Plaintiff's pleas by violently striking Plaintiff in the face with his open hand and screaming that he would do whatever he wanted."
Describing Trump's response when the 13-year-old begged him to stop
"Immediately following this rape, Defendant Trump threatened Plaintiff that, were she ever to reveal any of the details of the sexual and physical abuse of her by Defendant Trump, Plaintiff and her family would be physically harmed if not killed."
Threats made to ensure the victim's silence
"Defendant Epstein had sexual contact with Plaintiff at two of the parties. The second sexual encounter with Defendant Epstein took place after Plaintiff had been raped by Defendant Trump. Defendant Epstein forced himself upon Plaintiff and proceeded to rape her anally and vaginally despite her loud pleas to stop."
Both men allegedly assaulted the same 13-year-old victim
"Defendant Trump stated that Plaintiff shouldn't ever say anything if she didn't want to disappear like Maria, a 12-year-old female that was forced to be involved in the third incident with Defendant Trump and that Plaintiff had not seen since that third incident."
Reference to another missing child victim
"I personally witnessed four sexual encounters that the Plaintiff was forced to have with Mr. Trump during this period, including the fourth of these encounters where Mr. Trump forcibly raped her despite her pleas to stop."
Sworn affidavit from witness 'Tiffany Doe', an employee who worked for Epstein
Case Withdrawn Days Before 2016 Election
The lawsuit was withdrawn on November 4, 2016. Attorney Lisa Bloom stated the plaintiff had received multiple death threats. A planned press conference where Jane Doe was to appear publicly was abruptly canceled due to threats.
Pattern Recognition: The allegations describe behavior consistent with known facts about Epstein's trafficking operation. The plaintiff's attorney stated she had received multiple corroborating witnesses who placed Trump at Epstein's parties with young girls during this time period.
Over 25 women have come forward with similar stories
When Trump denied ever acting on his recorded boasts, 15+ women broke their silence within 20 days
The Catalyst That Changed Everything
"I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything... Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."
The Denial That Triggered an Avalanche
During the second debate, Trump denied ever actually doing what he described, calling it "locker room talk." This denial prompted many women to come forward with their own experiences.
15+
Women Came Forward
20
Days of Revelations
40+
Years of Incidents
Access Hollywood tape released
Second presidential debate - Trump denies ever assaulting women
Multiple women come forward with allegations
Trump vows to sue all accusers after election
Groped on airplane
Alleges Trump lifted armrest and grabbed her breasts, tried to put hand up skirt during flight.
Forced kissing in Trump Tower
Receptionist at Bayrock Group says Trump kissed her without consent in elevator.
Assault during interview
People magazine writer alleges Trump pushed her against wall and forced tongue in mouth at Mar-a-Lago.
Groped at Mar-a-Lago
Says Trump grabbed her buttocks at his estate during a concert.
Unwanted kissing and proposition
Adult film actress says Trump kissed her and two friends without consent, offered $10,000 for sex.
Sexual assault at Beverly Hills Hotel
Former Apprentice contestant alleges Trump kissed her, groped breasts, thrust genitals on her.
Groped at nightclub
Says Trump reached under her skirt and touched her vagina at Manhattan nightclub.
Forced kissing at Mar-a-Lago
Alleges Trump grabbed and kissed her at Mother's Day brunch in front of family.
Unwanted kisses
Miss Utah USA says Trump kissed her without consent, made her uncomfortable.
Groped after US Open
Says Trump grabbed her arm and touched her breast while commenting on her legs.
Grabbed buttocks
Miss Finland 2006 says Trump grabbed her buttocks before Letterman appearance.
Groping at pageant
Miss Washington USA says Trump "continually" groped her buttocks, invited her to hotel room.
Trump's Response to the Accusers
Pattern RecognitionMany women stated they came forward specifically because Trump denied ever engaging in the behavior he bragged about on tape. Several had told friends and family about incidents years earlier, providing corroborating witnesses.
Multiple contestants from Miss USA and Miss Teen USA report violations
I'll go backstage before a show, and everyone's getting dressed and ready and everything else. ...You know, no men are anywhere. And I'm allowed to go in because I'm the owner of the pageant. And therefore I'm inspecting it. ... Is everyone OK? You know, they're standing there with no clothes. And you see these incredible-looking women. And so I sort of get away with things like that.
Trump openly admitted to this behavior on radio
5+
Named Accusers
1997-2006
Time Span
15
Youngest Age
Miss Vermont Teen USA 1997 • Age: Teenager
Trump walked into dressing room while contestants were changing
I remember putting on my dress really quick, because I was like, "Oh my god, there's a man in here."
Ivanka Trump reportedly said "Yeah, he does that"
Miss New Mexico Teen USA 1997 • Age: Teenager
Confirmed Trump's dressing room visit, youngest contestant was 15
It was certainly the most inappropriate time to meet us all for the first time.
Some contestants were as young as 15 years old
Miss Arizona USA 2001 • Age: 18
Trump walked in while contestants were naked or topless
He just came strolling right in. There was no second to put a robe on or any sort of clothing.
Felt pressured to "fawn all over him" by staff
Miss New Hampshire USA 2000 • Age: 19
Trump entered dressing room while contestants were naked
The time that he walked through the dressing rooms was really shocking.
Trump was coming to wish them luck, but they "were all naked"
Miss North Carolina USA 2006 • Age: 20
Trump inspected contestants like "meat" and entered dressing areas
He eyed me like a piece of meat. I have never felt so objectified.
Came forward after Trump denied such behavior during debate
Important Context: These incidents occurred while Trump owned the Miss Universe Organization (1996-2015), which included Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. Multiple contestants independently reported similar experiences across different years and locations.
Major news outlets have extensively documented these allegations with investigative reporting, interviews, and court coverage
The two men were friends for years, partying together in New York and Florida. "I've known Jeff for fifteen years," Trump told New York Magazine in 2002.
In a 2002 interview, Trump praised Epstein: "He's a lot of fun to be with... He likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
Exclusive video from 1992 shows Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein at a Mar-a-Lago party, surrounded by cheerleaders and laughing together.
A federal jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and for defaming her, awarding her $5 million in damages.
A jury awarded E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in her second defamation case against Donald Trump, bringing total damages to $88.3 million.
In a CNN interview, E. Jean Carroll recounted her allegation that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s.
In a 2005 recording obtained by The Washington Post, Trump describes trying to have sex with a married woman and says "when you're a star, they let you do it."
Following the Access Hollywood tape, multiple women came forward with allegations of unwanted kissing, groping, and other sexual misconduct by Trump.
Former Miss Teen USA contestants say Donald Trump walked into their dressing room while they were changing, some as young as 15.
On Howard Stern's show, Trump boasted about walking in on naked contestants: "I'm allowed to go in because I'm the owner of the pageant."
Beyond the E. Jean Carroll case, Trump faces multiple investigations related to his business practices, campaign finances, and conduct in office.
A comprehensive accounting of the more than two dozen women who have accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct.
From the 1970s to 2013, at least 26 women have accused Donald Trump of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, including non-consensual kissing and groping.
NPR compiled accounts from 16 women who say Trump touched them inappropriately or made unwanted sexual advances.
Source Note: All articles referenced are from established mainstream news organizations with editorial standards. Headlines and excerpts are accurate representations of published reporting. Links direct to the original publishers' websites where full articles may require subscriptions.
A chronological record spanning 40+ years of relationships, allegations, and legal proceedings
Trump and Epstein first meet in New York social circles. Trump later told New York Magazine in 2002 he had known Epstein for "15 years," dating their acquaintance to approximately 1987.
Trump and Epstein first meet in New York social circles. Trump later told New York Magazine in 2002 he had known Epstein for "15 years," dating their acquaintance to approximately 1987.
NBC News footage shows Trump and Epstein partying together at Mar-a-Lago with Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. Video shows them laughing together, with Trump whispering in Epstein's ear.
NBC News footage shows Trump and Epstein partying together at Mar-a-Lago with Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. Video shows them laughing together, with Trump whispering in Epstein's ear.
Trump appears on Epstein's flight logs at least 7 times between 1993-1997, flying between Palm Beach and New York. One June 1994 flight lists "Marla and Tiffany" (Trump's then-wife and infant daughter).
Trump appears on Epstein's flight logs at least 7 times between 1993-1997, flying between Palm Beach and New York. One June 1994 flight lists "Marla and Tiffany" (Trump's then-wife and infant daughter).
Anonymous plaintiff files lawsuit alleging Trump and Epstein raped her when she was 13 years old in 1994. Case filed under pseudonyms "Katie Johnson" and "Jane Doe." Withdrawn without explanation in November 2016.
Anonymous plaintiff files lawsuit alleging Trump and Epstein raped her when she was 13 years old in 1994. Case filed under pseudonyms "Katie Johnson" and "Jane Doe." Withdrawn without explanation in November 2016.
Alleges Trump groped her on an airplane in the late 1970s or early 1980s, grabbing her breasts and attempting to put his hand up her skirt.
Alleges Trump groped her on an airplane in the late 1970s or early 1980s, grabbing her breasts and attempting to put his hand up her skirt.
Carroll alleges Trump sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room. This would later result in the only successful legal case against Trump.
Carroll alleges Trump sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room. This would later result in the only successful legal case against Trump.
Trump and Melania photographed with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago, showing their continued social connection.
Trump and Melania photographed with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago, showing their continued social connection.
Trump tells New York Magazine: "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
Trump tells New York Magazine: "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
Wall Street Journal reports on alleged letter from Trump to Epstein featuring outline of naked woman and message: "Happy Birthday — and may every wonderful secret." Trump denies writing it, sues WSJ for $20 billion.
Wall Street Journal reports on alleged letter from Trump to Epstein featuring outline of naked woman and message: "Happy Birthday — and may every wonderful secret." Trump denies writing it, sues WSJ for $20 billion.
Trump and Epstein have bitter falling out over Palm Beach mansion auction. Trump wins with $41.35 million bid. Their last known interaction occurs this month - marking the end of their friendship.
Trump and Epstein have bitter falling out over Palm Beach mansion auction. Trump wins with $41.35 million bid. Their last known interaction occurs this month - marking the end of their friendship.
Release of 2005 recording where Trump says: "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy." Prompts many women to come forward with allegations.
Release of 2005 recording where Trump says: "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy." Prompts many women to come forward with allegations.
Following Access Hollywood tape release, at least 15 women publicly accuse Trump of sexual misconduct, including Jessica Drake, Ninni Laaksonen, and Summer Zervos.
Following Access Hollywood tape release, at least 15 women publicly accuse Trump of sexual misconduct, including Jessica Drake, Ninni Laaksonen, and Summer Zervos.
Jeffrey Epstein arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. Trump comments: "I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan."
Jeffrey Epstein arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. Trump comments: "I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan."
Epstein found dead in jail cell, ruled suicide. Conspiracy theories emerge but DOJ/FBI later conclude no evidence of murder or "client list."
Epstein found dead in jail cell, ruled suicide. Conspiracy theories emerge but DOJ/FBI later conclude no evidence of murder or "client list."
Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in E. Jean Carroll case. Awards $5 million in damages. Only successful legal case among all accusations.
Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in E. Jean Carroll case. Awards $5 million in damages. Only successful legal case among all accusations.
Second E. Jean Carroll case results in $83.3 million verdict for defamation based on Trump's denials. Total damages: $88.3 million.
Second E. Jean Carroll case results in $83.3 million verdict for defamation based on Trump's denials. Total damages: $88.3 million.
Former model alleges Trump groped her in 1993 while she was dating Jeffrey Epstein, adding to the list of accusers.
Former model alleges Trump groped her in 1993 while she was dating Jeffrey Epstein, adding to the list of accusers.
25+
Total Accusers
17
Years of Friendship
2
Successful Lawsuits
$88.3M
Court Damages
Testimony from courtrooms and sworn depositions
You remind me of my daughter. Smart, blonde and beautiful. And people underestimate her as well.
Sworn Court Testimony • May 7, 2024
Date
May 7, 2024
Status
Convicted on 34 counts
Multiple women report the same inappropriate comparison
Former Playboy Model
"He said I was beautiful like her and, you know, you're a smart girl. And there wasn't a lot of comparing, but there was some, yes. I heard a lot about her."— Anderson Cooper 360 interview
Adult Film Actress
"He was like, 'Wow, you — you are special. You remind me of my daughter.' You know — he was like, 'You're smart and beautiful, and a woman to be reckoned with, and I like you. I like you."— 60 Minutes interview, 2018
These statements were made under oath during criminal proceedings where Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her.
This quote represents one of multiple documented instances where Trump made inappropriate comments about his daughter in public forums:
$88.3 million in damages and 34 criminal convictions
The only successful legal case resulting in verdicts against Trump
I was a cheerful person, it left me unable to ever have a romantic life again... I was attacked by the sitting President of the United States.
Manhattan Federal Court
Liable for sexual abuse and defamation
$5 million
May 9, 2023
Second defamation case
Additional defamation damages
$83.3 million
January 26, 2024
Verdict Status: Upheld on Appeal
The judge clarified that the jury found Trump had "raped" Carroll according to the common definition, though not under New York's narrow legal definition at the time.
Behind every allegation is a person who found the strength to speak their truth despite immense personal cost
"I was a cheerful person, it left me unable to ever have a romantic life again. It affected me in every way."
E. Jean Carroll
Journalist & Author
2023-2024
Won $88.3 million verdict
Pursued justice despite death threats
25+
Women Who Spoke Up
40+
Years of Allegations
2
Successful Verdicts
∞
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Decades of allegations, court testimony, and a criminal conviction paint a consistent picture
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This site presents publicly available information from court records, news reports, and sworn testimony. All allegations and quotes are documented from credible sources.