Donald Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996, with Ghislaine Maxwell present on at least four of those flights, according to flight records detailed in newly released government files.
The US Justice Department released nearly 30,000 pages of Epstein-related documents on Tuesday, a week after publishing an initial batch detailing investigations into the late convicted sex offender.
A US attorney for the southern district of New York flagged the flight records in a 7 January 2020 email, noting Trump had flown on Epstein’s jet far more frequently than previously known, including during the timeframe relevant to charges against Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice.
Trump travelled on various flights with his then-wife Marla Maples, daughter Tiffany and son Eric. One 1993 flight listed only Trump and Epstein as passengers. Another showed three passengers: Epstein, Trump and a 20-year-old woman whose name was redacted.
Two other flights included women who could serve as witnesses in Maxwell’s case, the email noted.
The files don’t indicate whether any women mentioned were crime victims, and inclusion in the documents doesn’t suggest criminal wrongdoing.
Trump pledged during his presidential campaign to release Epstein files. This summer, however, the Justice Department said it wouldn’t release documents related to the financier and found no incriminating client list – despite attorney general Pam Bondi previously claiming such a list sat on her desk.
The decision triggered bipartisan anger, including from some Trump supporters, and renewed focus on Trump’s ties to Epstein. The men were friends for roughly 15 years before a 2004 falling out. Trump has repeatedly denied knowing about or participating in Epstein’s crimes.
The Justice Department said Tuesday that some documents contain false claims against Trump submitted to the FBI before the 2020 election. The claims lack credibility and would have been used against Trump if they had merit, the department said, but the files are being released for transparency whilst protecting victims.
Epstein died by suicide in his New York jail cell on 10 August 2019 whilst awaiting sex crimes charges.
Fake passport and Copperfield allegations
The files reference Prince Andrew multiple times and include a photo of an Austrian passport with Epstein’s picture but showing the name Marius Fortelni and Saudi Arabia as residency. A 2019 prosecutor email said the real Fortelni is a property developer who lived in Saudi Arabia temporarily.
The prosecutor asked colleagues to contact Fortelni to ask why a passport from his country with his name contained Epstein’s photo and was found in Epstein’s safe. An FBI task force member said he would call Fortelni. Fortelni didn’t respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.
The documents cover Epstein’s 2007 Florida plea deal that resolved federal sex crimes charges and the government’s duty to inform victims beforehand.
A 19 October 2007 email discusses rape allegations against magician David Copperfield. The Guardian previously identified the alleged victim as Lacey Carroll. Copperfield said in a 2012 Oprah Winfrey interview that federal authorities had exonerated him.
The email mentioned FBI raids on a warehouse owned by Copperfield in connection with rape allegations. It said Copperfield visited Epstein’s home and that backstage passes to his shows were a common birthday gift Epstein gave to girls. The sender and recipient were redacted.
Tuesday’s release included a letter supposedly from Epstein to convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar, the former Olympics gymnastics coach. The Justice Department later said the letter was fake. The files also detail Epstein’s relationship with economist Larry Summers.
Senate leader demands answers
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called Tuesday for Justice Department transparency after the files showed investigators looked into at least ten potential Epstein co-conspirators.
The department must reveal who was on the list, their involvement and why they weren’t charged, Schumer said. Protecting possible co-conspirators fails the transparency Americans and Congress demand, he added.
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