The Justice Department has released interview transcripts with Ghislaine Maxwell, in which Jeffrey Epstein’s imprisoned former girlfriend repeatedly denied ever witnessing any sexually inappropriate behavior involving President Donald Trump. The records, made public Friday, were meant to distance Trump from Epstein amid ongoing scrutiny of their past association.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted the interviews last month. According to the transcripts, Maxwell praised Trump and insisted he was always “a gentleman in all respects.”
“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell said. “The President was never inappropriate with anybody.”
Background on the Investigation
The release comes as the Trump administration faces backlash for previously refusing to disclose documents tied to Epstein’s case. Officials said they hoped releasing two days of transcripts would show transparency and ease anger among Trump’s supporters, many of whom had been demanding disclosures of Epstein’s alleged “client list.”
Maxwell was transferred last month from a low-security prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas to continue serving her 20-year sentence for aiding Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
Maxwell’s Comments on High-Profile Contacts
Maxwell also distanced Trump from allegations but discussed other well-known figures:
Bill Clinton: Maxwell said Clinton was her friend before Epstein’s, and she never saw him receive a massage. She said the only times she was with him were during roughly two dozen trips on Epstein’s plane.
Prince Andrew: Maxwell dismissed as “rubbish” Virginia Giuffre’s claims that she was trafficked to Andrew.
Epstein: Maxwell acknowledged Epstein’s preference for younger women but denied realizing it involved underage girls.
Epstein Case Fallout
Epstein died in jail in 2019 in what authorities described as a suicide. Since then, the case has dogged U.S. administrations.
In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi handed out binders labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” at a White House event, but much of the material was already public. Officials later walked back claims about a so-called client list, saying no such document exists.
The administration has since been pressed by Congress to turn over more Epstein-related evidence, but the DOJ has insisted that much of it remains sealed by court order to protect victims.
Trump’s Response
President Trump has previously downplayed questions about his past acquaintance with Epstein and criticized speculation as a “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.” Following the release of the Maxwell transcripts, Trump said they confirmed what he has maintained all along — that he was never involved in Epstein’s crimes.
