WASHINGTON (AP) — Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, has denied ever witnessing any sexually inappropriate behavior involving Donald Trump during her interviews with the Justice Department. The released transcripts from her interviews aim to distance the former president from the disgraced financier, especially during a time of intense scrutiny regarding Trump's prior associations with Epstein.
These transcripts were made public by the Trump administration as part of an effort to respond to backlash over the refusal to disclose a large number of records related to Epstein's sex-trafficking case. The interviews conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche took place last month, and during these sessions, Maxwell expressed admiration for Trump, affirming that in her experience, he was "a gentleman in all respects." Maxwell asserted, "I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way," and emphasized that there were never any accusations against him in their circles.
Maxwell's remarks are particularly significant given the controversial history surrounding her relationship with Epstein, who was known for his connections to powerful individuals, including Trump. Throughout her interview, Maxwell stated that she was familiar with Trump since the early 1990s and that she had visited his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, although she had not seen him since the mid-2000s. She firmly rejected any rumors about Trump being involved in misconduct with masseuses or anyone else affiliated with Epstein.
Following her interviews, Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her involvement in Epstein's trafficking crimes, was transferred from a low-security prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas. This move raised questions, but her attorney, David Oscar Markus, has publicly maintained her innocence and criticized her trial and conviction.
Maxwell's testimony also included comments about former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew. She indicated that Clinton was her friend and that she had never witnessed him receive a massage during their travels on Epstein's private plane. Dismissing allegations made against Prince Andrew, she referred to accusations by Virginia Giuffre as "rubbish." Maxwell continued to distance herself from Epstein’s actions, despite acknowledging that Epstein preferred younger women as companions, stating she never perceived this inclination as unlawful behavior.
The public attention on this case intensified after Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex-trafficking charges and subsequently died in a New York jail under controversial circumstances. The Justice Department's release of the interview transcripts comes in the wake of disappointing responses to earlier communications about the evidence and records from Epstein’s case. There has been widespread public interest and frustration regarding potential government cover-ups, particularly among Trump’s staunch supporters, who had anticipated more substantial revelations than were delivered.
As the situation unfolded, the administration faced challenges in managing transparency and appeasing supporters who believed in conspiratorial narratives surrounding Epstein and prominent political figures. Despite attempts to provide clarity on the matter, the administration had to deal with discrepancies between public expectations and the actual disclosures made. In a Cabinet meeting, Trump criticized those who voiced skepticism about the handling of Epstein's case, indicating the ongoing tension over the political implications of the matter.
In summary, the release of Maxwell's statements serves both as a defense for Trump and an effort by the Justice Department to provide the public with more clarity amidst ongoing inquiries into Epstein's extensive criminal network and its connections to high-profile individuals.
