Trump Denies Visiting Epstein’s Island Amid Renewed Scrutiny/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump stated Monday that he declined an invitation to Jeffrey Epstein’s island and distanced himself from the disgraced financier. Speaking during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump reiterated a past fallout with Epstein. The remarks follow rising public scrutiny over Epstein’s ties to high-profile figures.
Trump and Epstein Quick Looks
- Trump: “I did turn it down” — on Epstein island invite
- Comments made during meeting with UK PM Keir Starmer
- Trump reiterated past falling out with Jeffrey Epstein
- Claims Epstein “did something inappropriate” by hiring staff
- Trump says he made Epstein “persona non grata”
- White House previously called Epstein a “creep”
- Trump labels Epstein saga a “hoax”
- Blames previous administrations, offers no evidence
- Scrutiny over Epstein connections follows Trump abroad
- Story remains developing, more updates expected
Deep Look: Trump Denies Ever Visiting Epstein’s Island, Renews Criticism During UK Talks
TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) — President Donald Trump, facing renewed attention over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, stated Monday that he never visited the financier’s infamous private island and had declined an invitation to do so.
“I never had the privilege,” Trump remarked pointedly during a joint press event with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Trump Turnberry golf club in Scotland. “I did turn it down.”
The comments came amid intensified media scrutiny over the president’s past social links with Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender whose circle included numerous high-profile individuals. Questions surrounding the handling of Epstein-related investigations have reemerged as a political issue, now following Trump internationally as he continues diplomatic meetings.
Fallout With Epstein: Trump Offers New Details
Trump revisited his long-publicized split from Epstein during the bilateral talks, telling reporters that the rift stemmed from Epstein poaching staff from one of his properties.
“He did something that was inappropriate,” Trump said. “He hired away people who worked for me. I warned him, and when it happened again, I threw him out of the place — persona non grata.”
This echoes past statements made by Trump and his aides. The White House has previously said that Epstein was banned from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club after being deemed a “creep.” No further details about the specific incident have been publicly disclosed.
“Hoax” and Shifting Blame
Trump also doubled down on his dismissal of the Epstein saga, calling the broader narrative a “hoax.” He offered no evidence but blamed unnamed previous administrations for mishandling the investigation and for Epstein’s ability to operate for years with apparent impunity.
The president’s efforts to distance himself from Epstein come as media outlets and investigative reports continue to revisit past associations, photographs, and social overlaps between the two men in the early 2000s. Trump has consistently insisted that their contact was minimal and ended well before Epstein’s criminal indictments became public knowledge.
Timing and Political Backdrop
Trump’s remarks in Scotland come at a moment when the Epstein case is again making headlines due to ongoing calls for the release of sealed documents and federal case files. Many within Trump’s political base — including members of Congress — have urged the Justice Department to declassify Epstein records, claiming the American public has a right to know who was involved.
During Sunday’s appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Senator Lindsey Graham also addressed Epstein, backing calls for the release of “as much as you can.” The renewed focus highlights how Epstein’s legacy has become a lightning rod across political lines.
Continued Media Interest
The Trump administration has expressed frustration with what it sees as media sensationalism around the Epstein issue, arguing that the focus is part of a broader political smear campaign. Still, reporters continue to press for clarity on the president’s past relationship with Epstein, particularly given Trump’s own high-profile past in New York and Palm Beach circles where Epstein was also active.
While Trump continues to campaign and conduct diplomatic outreach, questions surrounding the Epstein scandal remain persistent, with potential political consequences. As of Monday, the White House had not announced plans to provide further documentation or clarification regarding Trump’s past interactions with Epstein or others associated with his social network.
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