A retired Florida police chief says Donald Trump told him in July 2006 that “everyone” was aware of Jeffrey Epstein’s behavior — a claim found in FBI records that directly conflicts with the president’s later public comments about his former associate.
Michael Reiter, who stepped down as Palm Beach police chief in 2009, confirmed to the Miami Herald that he was the individual whose name appeared redacted in the FBI document. He described the conversation during an October 2019 FBI interview connected to investigations into Epstein’s sexual abuse crimes.
The FBI document states that Trump contacted Reiter in July 2006 and said: “Thank goodness you’re stopping him; everyone has known he’s been doing this.” The call reportedly came at a time when allegations against Epstein were escalating in Palm Beach, where local police had been interviewing multiple underage victims throughout 2005 and 2006.
According to the FBI summary, Trump told Reiter that everyone was aware of Epstein’s actions. This sharply contrasts with Trump’s July 2019 reaction to Epstein’s arrest, when he claimed he had no prior knowledge of Epstein abusing teenage girls.
The Department of Justice said it knew of no corroborating evidence supporting the existence of the Trump call. This statement followed inquiries about the FBI record documenting Reiter’s recollection of the 2006 conversation.
Reiter’s FBI interview also included further details about the July 2006 exchange. Trump reportedly told him “he got the h***l out when teenagers were present.” He also described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s operative and labeled her evil, urging Reiter to focus on her, according to the FBI summary.
Maxwell was later arrested in July 2020 and convicted as Epstein’s accomplice. The British socialite was found guilty of recruiting, grooming, and abusing young girls.
The disclosures regarding Trump’s 2006 remarks add complexity to the timeline of what he knew. After Maxwell’s arrest in July 2020, Trump publicly wished her well. He also acknowledged meeting her multiple times over the years, especially given their shared connections in Palm Beach.
These statements diverge from Reiter’s account of Trump’s 2006 comments about Maxwell. His portrayal of Maxwell as evil in 2006 stands in contrast to Trump’s more restrained public remarks years later.
Epstein’s case concluded with a controversial 2008 plea deal allowing him to avoid federal charges. Despite investigations by local law enforcement, the FBI, and the U.S. attorney’s office in South Florida between 2005 and 2006, Epstein secured a lenient agreement, pleading guilty to state prostitution charges instead of federal crimes.
Epstein died by suicide in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on new federal sex-trafficking charges. His death came shortly after his arrest, which revived widespread interest in his ties to influential figures in politics, business, and entertainment.
Virginia Giuffre became one of the most outspoken Epstein survivors, alleging that Epstein abused her and trafficked her to powerful men, including Prince Andrew. The prince has denied any wrongdoing.
Trump’s association with Epstein became a campaign issue, and he vowed to make the Epstein files public — a pledge that resonated with supporters seeking transparency about Epstein’s influence and connections.
The president ultimately signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the Department of Justice to disclose all investigative documents tied to the case. Still, Trump has insisted the matter is a hoax, despite records showing he and Epstein had been close before their falling out.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche questioned Maxwell for two days regarding the Epstein case while she was serving her prison sentence. Shortly afterward, in August, Maxwell was transferred to a minimum-security facility.
The transfer drew criticism from Democrats, who voiced concerns about possible witness interference.
Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment during a deposition with the House Oversight Committee. However, her attorney said she would testify if granted clemency, asserting she could clear both Trump and Bill Clinton.
The Department of Justice released three million Epstein-related files, offering new insight into the breadth of Epstein’s criminal network and his ties to powerful individuals.
The House Oversight Committee released additional documents that further complicated Trump’s narrative about his relationship with Epstein. Following these disclosures, the White House repeated that Trump had removed Epstein from Mar-a-Lago decades earlier for inappropriate behavior toward female staff.
Under Reiter’s leadership, Palm Beach police played a key role in developing the initial case against Epstein.
Public interest in the case remains high as more investigative files become available. Each new release adds scrutiny to Epstein’s influential social circle and raises ongoing questions about who knew what about his abuse of young women and girls.
