Whats Going On With Ghislaine Maxwell and Donald Trump? – Vanity Fair

Earlier this month, Ghislaine Maxwells arrest in New Hampshire immediately prompted speculation about which other high-profile figures could be implicated in connection to Jeffrey Epsteins sexual abuse. The socialite and longtime Epstein associate has denied charges of trafficking minors and perjury, but a federal judge denied her bail last week and she continues to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. As with Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, Donald Trumps relationship with Epstein and Maxwell has shown up in various reports and photographs over the years. But rather than attempt to distance himself from Maxwell during a coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, Trump offered a limp embrace.

I dont know, he shrugged, after a reporter asked whether he thought Maxwell would reveal which powerful men were involved in Epsteins trafficking ring. I havent really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly.

Ive met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her well, he continued. Whatever it is.

Even the ultraconservative Trump ally Chip Roy, the Republican congressman from Texas, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday morning, This is unacceptably obtuse for a woman accused of the most morally depraved of crimes.

And while the remarks were a rich sound bite for those whove been tracing out Maxwell and Epsteins associations in all their still-emerging detail, they were also a reminder of their history with Trump thats already known. The Palm Beach milieu that Trump mentioned was the occasion for his early relationship with Epstein: as the New York Times pointed out, he told reporters at the White House last July that he knew Epstein like everybody in Palm Beach knew him. The paper reported last year that Trump and Epstein hosted a party at Mar-a-Lago in 1992 with a guest list comprising the two of them and 28 girls. The Florida businessman George Houraney told the Times that he organized the event and told Trump, Look, Donald, I know Jeff really well, I cant have him going after younger girls. Houraney said Trump dismissed the warning.

It wasnt the only such interaction between the two men, whod overlapped in social and business circles for years. Last year, MSNBCs Morning Joe aired newly found footage of Trump and Epstein laughing together while watching dozens of NFL cheerleaders dance at a Mar-a-Lago party in 1992.

Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with, Trump told New York magazine in 2002. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about itJeffrey enjoys his social life.

Last year, though, after Epstein was arrested, Trump told reporters, I had a falling-out with him. I havent spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you. The full nature and timing of any conflict still isnt clear, but Trump called Epsteins private Caribbean island an absolute cesspool in 2015 and told reporters to ask Andrew about it.

Photos of Trump with Epstein and Maxwell continue to circulate, especially in recent weeks since Maxwells arrest. Fox News cropped Trump out of one image of the three along with Melania following the arrest. Sure enough, Geraldo Rivera leapt to Trump and Maxwells defense on Wednesday morning:

After Trump pardoned Roger Stone earlier this month, there were also some murmurs that his statement of affection for Maxwell might be more than offhanded.

A Justice Department prosecutor told Politico, in the aftermath of the Stone pardon, it reeks of the president indicating to her that he might reward her if shell stay silent about whatever she knows about him.