Here are the facts.
Newly released federal documents are raising fresh questions about President Donald Trump’s early stance toward Jeffrey Epstein — and what he may have warned law enforcement about nearly two decades ago.
According to an FBI summary of a 2019 interview with a former Palm Beach police chief, Trump allegedly contacted the Palm Beach Police Department in the mid-2000s to express support for investigators pursuing Epstein. The document also claims Trump urged officers to focus closely on Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The account appears in records released by the Department of Justice following Trump’s signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in late 2025, legislation aimed at increasing public access to information related to the convicted financier.
What the FBI Document Claims
The FBI summary recounts statements attributed to former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter, who served from 2001 to 2009. According to the document, Trump praised police for intervening and allegedly said Epstein’s behavior had been widely known for years.
The summary further claims Trump described Maxwell as “evil” and warned officers that she played a central role in Epstein’s operation, urging investigators not to lose sight of her involvement.
The Department of Justice, however, cautioned this week that it is not aware of independent evidence confirming the phone call occurred.
Former Police Chief Confirms FBI Interview
While Reiter’s name was redacted in the FBI records, he later confirmed to the Miami Herald that he was interviewed by federal agents in 2019 and that Trump contacted the Palm Beach Police Department in July 2006 regarding the Epstein investigation.
Reiter declined to comment further when contacted by Fox News Digital, as did his private security firm, Michael Reiter and Associates.
How the Epstein Investigation Began
Local authorities first opened an investigation into Epstein in 2005 after receiving a report involving a 14-year-old girl. That complaint reportedly led detectives to uncover additional alleged victims and expand the scope of the case.
The FBI interview summary states Trump told investigators that people in New York had long viewed Epstein as “disgusting” and said he personally distanced himself once he encountered troubling behavior.
According to the document, Trump also told investigators he immediately removed himself from Epstein’s presence when teenagers were involved.
White House Response
When asked about the alleged call during a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not confirm whether it occurred but emphasized Trump’s long-standing public position.
“I don’t know whether a phone call may or may not have happened in 2006,” Leavitt said. “What I do know is that President Trump has always stated that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago because he was a creep.”
Leavitt added that if the call did take place, it would support — not contradict — Trump’s prior statements.
Trump’s Long-Standing Position
Trump has repeatedly said he severed ties with Epstein in the early 2000s and permanently banned him from Mar-a-Lago. The FBI summary of Reiter’s interview appears to reinforce that claim, noting Trump told investigators he expelled Epstein from the club.
Epstein, a wealthy financier with deep ties to powerful elites, pleaded guilty in 2008 to crimes involving minors and served just over one year in jail under a controversial plea agreement.
He was arrested again in 2019 on federa trafficking charges and later found dead in a Manhattan jail cell. His death was ruled a suicide.
Why This Matters Now
Reiter’s FBI interview reportedly took place just two months after Epstein’s death. The release of these records — mandated by Trump-signed legislation — has reignited public interest in who knew about Epstein’s conduct and when authorities were alerted.
As the Justice Department continues releasing additional files, scrutiny of Epstein’s network is intensifying — along with renewed debate over media narratives surrounding President Trump’s past interactions.
