Video shows Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein partying in 1992
Footage of pair discussing women will be awkward for the president who tried to distance himself from the sex offender
A video has emerged of Donald Trump partying with Jeffrey Epstein almost three decades ago, after the US president tried to distance himself from the disgraced financier.
The video, shot in 1992 and released from the NBC archive, features Trump smiling and dancing with young women at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
He welcomes Epstein to the party and makes jovial conversation with him. At one stage, Trump points out women to Epstein. “Look at her back there – she’s hot,” he says of one. Trump then says something to Epstein that makes him double over with laughter.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump is also seen yanking a woman towards him and patting her behind. The Times says “Trump was said to have organised another party at the club where the guests were only himself, Epstein and 28 young women.”
The video’s resurfacing is uncomfortable for the president who earlier this month tried to distance himself from Epstein after he was arrested over the alleged sex trafficking of minors. The 66-year-old hedge fund manager is awaiting trial and has pleaded not guilty to abusing a “vast network” of underage girls in Florida and New York in the early 2000s.
Following the arrest, Trump told reporters he “knew [Epstein], like everybody in Palm Beach knew him”. But he added: “I had a falling out with him. I haven’t spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.”
Yet NBC points out that “on the tape, Trump gives Epstein plenty of personal attention”. The footage was recorded for a piece on Trump's newly divorced lifestyle for Faith Daniels' talk show, A Closer Look.
Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy charges. Some of his accusers say he assaulted them when they were as young as 14. He is being detained at a federal jail in Manhattan, though his request to be put under house arrest in his mansion is to be decided by a judge this week.
The new federal charges against Epstein come more than ten years after a previous investigation in Florida ended in a lenient plea deal. Epstein pleaded guilty to lesser Florida state charges of soliciting and procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution, for which he spent 13 months in jail and was registered as a sex offender.
The prosecutor in that case was Alexander Acosta, Trump’s secretary of labour who resigned last week amid scrutiny over how he handled Epstein’s case.
In 2002, Trump described Epstein as a “terrific guy” in an interview with New York magazine. “He’s a lot of fun to be with,” he added. “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How GOP election denial thrives in 2024
In the Spotlight Cleta Mitchell aided Donald Trump's efforts in 2020. She's back.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Life in the post-truth era
Opinion The mainstream media can't hold back a tsunami of misinformation
By Theunis Bates Published
-
'Shale is crucial to the US economy'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Donald Trump sees himself as 'protector' of Israel
The Explainer What does that mean for the war in Gaza?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published