Trump Alleges Epstein “Stole” Virginia Giuffre from Mar‑a‑Lago Spa
On July 29, 2025, aboard Air Force One, former President Donald Trump claimed that Jeffrey Epstein “stole” young women from the spa at his Mar‑a‑Lago club, including Virginia Giuffre, who later accused Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking. Trump said he banned Epstein from Mar‑a‑Lago when he discovered recruitment of his staff. He emphasized that Giuffre never accused him and expressed solidarity regarding her tragic death by suicide in April at age 41.
In parallel, a new Justice Department and FBI memo, first reported by Axios, explicitly stated there is no evidence that Epstein maintained a so-called “client list,” or that he blackmailed influential individuals, and reaffirmed that his death was a suicide, not foul play.
Trump and his allies have called these files politically motivated, describing them as part of a “hoax” engineered by Democrats.
Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, has offered to testify before Congress, but only under conditions including immunity, which House Oversight rejected. Her legal team is appealing her conviction and even hinting at a potential pardon, though no request has been made privately.
Also fueling the controversy, Elon Musk claimed President Trump is named in the so-called Epstein Files, allegations Trump vehemently denies. Trump and his spokespeople have called Musk’s assertions baseless and accused the media of perpetuating conspiracies.
Key Takeaways
Topic Insight
Trump’s Statement Epstein allegedly recruited spa workers, including Giuffre, from Mar‑a‑Lago, leading to his ban.
Official DOJ/FBI Memo Concluded no client list or blackmail, reaffirmed Epstein’s death as suicide.
Political Fallout Debate continues over whether documents were withheld or exaggerated.
Maxwell’s Role Seeks immunity to testify, appeals conviction, and raises possibility of pardon.
Conspiracy Claims Musk and others allege Trump appears in Epstein files, which Trump denies as fiction.
Why This Matters
Virginia Giuffre was a key accuser in Epstein’s trafficking operation, a story tragically cut short when she died by suicide at age 41 in April 2025. Her claims drew sharp scrutiny on powerful men and institutions. Trump’s new narrative, focusing on Epstein’s recruitment of spa employees, shifts attention from her allegations to workplace misconduct, underscoring how public figures manage damage control amid persistent controversy.
The DOJ and FBI memo, despite lacking explosive revelations, has polarized public opinion: critics view it as confirmation of transparency; conspiracy theorists see it as cover-up. Trump’s repeated dismissals of the investigation and labeling it a hoax have deepened divisions even within his own supporter base. Calls to release sealed Epstein documents continue, with some House Republicans at odds with Trump’s stance on disclosure.