Trump Explains Epstein Ban from Mar-a-Lago, Denies Island Visits

President Donald Trump publicly explained that he severed ties with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein attempted to poach staff from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, which led Trump to ban Epstein from the property. Trump emphasized that the falling out was due to business reasons, not any criminal behavior, and insisted he never visited Epstein's private island, turning down the invitation. He dismissed recent Democratic interest in Epstein-related files as a politically motivated 'hoax' and asserted that no damaging information about him has surfaced. Trump also disputed allegations such as a purported 'bawdy' letter to Epstein and said he does not make drawings of women. Despite past associations with Epstein, Trump has sought to distance himself from Epstein’s criminal activities and highlighted that the relationship ended years before Epstein’s abuse became public. Meanwhile, discussions continue around the release of Epstein-related documents and the investigation into Epstein's network, including the role of Ghislaine Maxwell, with Trump not ruling out a potential pardon for her.