Trump had no role in Epstein crimes, Maxwell told investigators

The Department of Justice on Friday published its July interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, the associate and partner of Jeffrey Epstein. The trove includes written transcripts of nine hours of interviews spread over two days. It also includes audio recordings of the interviews, conducted in Florida by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

In her testimony, Maxwell contended that President Donald Trump had no part in Epstein’s crimes, and disclosed no information implicating the president.

Maxwell described Trump as very cordial and kind to her, according to transcripts. She added that she admired what she described as his extraordinary achievement in winning a second term. She said she always liked him, but that was the extent of her relationship with him.

Maxwell also denied knowledge of any client list Epstein may have kept.

The DOJ granted Maxwell immunity during the interview, assuring her that no additional prosecution would result. Officials involved also made it clear that no favors or deals were made to assure her compliance.

Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 of trafficking underage girls and helping to sexually exploit them. She is serving out a 20-year sentence and was recently relocated to a minimum-security prison facility in Texas.

Can Maxwell be trusted? Critics of the president have cast doubt on Maxwell’s credibility, suggesting that Trump could offer Maxwell a future pardon or some degree of leniency in return for favorable testimony from her.

Republicans have pushed back by arguing that Maxwell’s testimony is key to bringing clarity to Epstein’s dealings.

What’s the context? The Trump administration has come under scrutiny for failing to produce additional information about the investigation into Epstein’s dealings and associates.

Epstein was a wealthy fund manager with an expansive social circle that included former president Bill Clinton, Trump, and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. Epstein came under investigation in 2019 for allegedly sex trafficking minors and faced criminal prosecution. He was found dead in his jail cell before he could go to trial. The FBI ruled his death a suicide.

The severity of Epstein’s alleged crimes, his vast resources, and his sudden and unexpected death have prompted widespread speculation that the financier must have had damaging information of some of the world’s most powerful figures.

On the campaign trail, Trump promised voters that he would help bring transparency to the matter and make public whatever information his administration could bring to light on Epstein’s dealings. But after more than six months in office with little information produced, many Democrats and Republicans questioned if Trump had reason to keep the secrets in place.

In response to the political pressure, Trump ordered his DOJ to release whatever documentation it had on Epstein. A U.S. district court in Florida has stonewalled that effort, ruling that Epstein’s grand jury testimony must remain sealed.

Dig deeper: Read my reporting on mixed feelings among Republicans lawmakers on Jeffrey Epstein and whether the administration could be doing more to get to the bottom of what he did.