Trump says he turned down invitation to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s island
US president claimed he cut ties after Epstein tried to recruit staff. The private island is alleged to have been the site of sex trafficking
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he “never had the privilege” of visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s island, saying he turned down an invitation from the convicted sex offender in what the president called a moment of good judgment.
Trump’s remarks were his latest effort to distance himself from the political furore over his administration’s handling of files related to Epstein’s case and renewed questions over his past relationship with the disgraced financier, who died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019.
Epstein owned a private island in the US Virgin Islands where he entertained prominent people from politics, business and entertainment.
Prosecutors have alleged he used the compound to conceal the sex trafficking and abuse of underage victims.
Trump, who socialised with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, also offered new insight into why their relationship ended.
The president said he cut ties after Epstein attempted to recruit staff who worked for Trump.