For weeks, Donald Trump has faced scrutiny over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and the nature of his personal ties to the late sex trafficker.
Although Trump had pledged to release documents related to Epstein, his Justice Department announced in July that no further information would be disclosed. This decision angered many of his supporters, including those drawn to conspiracy theories.
As criticism mounted, Todd Blanche—Trump’s attorney in criminal cases, who also serves as deputy attorney general—interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. After their first session, Blanche stated that the Justice Department would share more details “at the appropriate time.”
That time came just before 3 p.m. ET on Friday, August 22, when the department released redacted transcripts of Blanche’s interviews with Maxwell.
While the transcripts run hundreds of pages, they are unlikely to satisfy those seeking more insight into Trump’s past association with Epstein—or those who believe Epstein was part of a powerful global elite preying on young girls.
Maxwell’s remarks about Trump in the transcripts largely support his efforts to distance himself from Epstein. The documents also reveal her sense of grievance and entitlement, as well as Blanche’s pointed focus on Bill Clinton, who, like Trump, had past dealings with Epstein.
Maxwell, who was once Epstein’s on-and-off girlfriend, said, “I think [Trump and Epstein] were friendly like people are in social settings. I don’t think they were close friends, and I certainly never saw the president at his house, for instance.”
She added, “I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting,” referring to Epstein’s pattern of abuse under the guise of massage therapy.
When asked if she had ever heard Epstein or anyone else suggest Trump behaved inappropriately with masseuses or others in their circle, Maxwell replied, “Absolutely never, in any context.”
Such statements would likely please Trump, who has long downplayed his social connections to Epstein. Shortly after being interviewed by Blanche, Maxwell was transferred from a Florida jail to a lower-security facility in Texas.
Blanche also questioned Maxwell about whether she recalled Trump contributing to a birthday book for Epstein. The Wall Street Journal had reported that Trump sent a “bawdy” birthday letter to Epstein in 2003, featuring a drawing of a nude woman—a report Trump is now suing over. Maxwell said of the incident, “I do not remember.”
Blanche repeatedly pressed Maxwell about the Clintons, who, like Trump, have denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. When asked if Bill Clinton had ever received a massage, Maxwell said, “I don’t believe he did.” Blanche also inquired whether Epstein had a relationship with Clinton outside of philanthropy and whether he had any dealings with Hillary Clinton. Maxwell answered no to both.
If Blanche hoped to implicate the Clintons, Maxwell’s responses fell short—just as they did regarding Trump.
The more sensational parts of the transcripts focus on Epstein’s personal life and Maxwell’s privileged asides. For example, she noted, “He started doing testosterone, and that altered his character. I believe that started in the late ’90s.”Maxwell said of Epstein, “He became more aggressive.” Over time, he began surrounding himself with more people, including additional masseuses. Maxwell claimed she was unaware he was having sexual relations with them.
Blanche challenged her, saying, “You must have known something more was going on than just him needing massages.”
Maxwell called that a “very fair question” but pointed out that the masseuse he saw most often was in her 40s. She added, “He also told me he had trouble getting an erection, and I believed him.”
She mentioned that Epstein got involved in a business “where he looked for stolen money.” According to Maxwell, Epstein had a billionaire’s daughter as a girlfriend who had money stolen, and that woman introduced him to the business. “That’s what I remember,” she said.
Regarding Epstein’s potential ties to espionage—a common theme in conspiracy theories—Maxwell stated, “I think he would have bragged to me about it to show off, because he could be like that. If he wasn’t bragging, he might have dropped hints casually. I don’t remember him doing either.”
She added one caveat: “Before I met him, when he was finding money, he may have suggested that some people helped him. That’s the only context I recall.” When Blanche asked her to elaborate, Maxwell said, “He showed me a photo with what he said were African warlords or something like that. I don’t remember exactly, but that’s how I interpreted it—something covert, I suppose. That’s my only clear memory of anything shady, or at least secretive.”
Throughout the interview, Maxwell emphasized her proper upbringing. Reflecting on feeling deceived by Epstein, she said, “I’m not stupid. I’m very bright, well-educated, and I’ve traveled the world.”
She also shared her belief that Epstein did not kill himself but doubted that someone from outside the prison was responsible. “In prison, where I am, they can kill you or pay another inmate to do it for about $25 in commissary items. That’s the going rate,” Maxwell explained.
Shortly after the interview with Blanche concluded, Maxwell was transferred to a new minimum-security prison camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic designed to be clear and helpful for people with varying levels of familiarity
General Beginner Questions
Q What are the Maxwell transcripts
A They are the official court records of the testimony given by Ghislaine Maxwell during a 2016 civil lawsuit They were recently made public
Q Who is Ghislaine Maxwell
A She is a convicted sex trafficker who was a close associate of financier Jeffrey Epstein Her case is connected to allegations of a highprofile sex trafficking ring
Q How are these transcripts related to Donald Trump
A In her testimony Maxwell was asked about Donald Trump She stated that he never attended any of the parties she or Epstein hosted and that she had never seen him engage in any inappropriate activity
Q So do the transcripts clear Trump
A They do not contain any evidence or accusations against him from Maxwell related to Epsteins crimes For his supporters this absence of a direct accusation is seen as clearing his name in this specific context
Q What is MAGA
A It stands for Make America Great Again the slogan and movement associated with supporters of former President Donald Trump
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q If the transcripts offer relief why are MAGA supporters still upset
A The uproar isnt primarily about the Epstein case Its fueled by ongoing grievances they have with what they see as a witch hunt against Trump including his other legal cases The relief from one issue doesnt calm anger over others
Q Did the transcripts reveal anything negative about other public figures
A Yes the testimony included details about other wellknown individuals such as Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew which has kept public and media focus on the broader scandal
Q Why is this news coming out now
A The transcripts were under a courtordered seal for years A judge recently ruled that there was no further legal justification to keep them private leading to their public release
Q What is the legal significance of this testimony for Trump
