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On July 28, 2025, during a press appearance in Scotland, President Donald Trump said he had never visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island and had declined an invitation. The transcript confirms that Trump made the claim; it does not independently establish whether he visited the island.
What did Trump say?
Trump said: “I never had the privilege of going to his island. And I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island.” The Associated Press also quoted his follow-up: “In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island.” AP’s July 28, 2025 report and the CNN transcript of the exchange record the statement.
In the same exchange, Trump said Epstein had hired people who worked for him, that he told Epstein not to do it again, and that Epstein did it again. That is Trump’s explanation for their falling out, not an independently established account in the cited reporting.
What does the statement establish—and what does it not?
The transcript establishes what Trump said and when he said it. AP reports his assertion that he turned down an invitation, but neither cited report independently verifies whether he visited the island or declined an invitation. The statement should therefore be attributed to Trump rather than presented as a confirmed account.
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Trump also said Bill Clinton had gone to the island “supposedly 28 times.” CNN anchor Jake Tapper responded that he was not sure Clinton’s visit had been confirmed even once, distinguishing that question from the fact that both Trump and Clinton had used Epstein’s plane. The “28 times” figure is Trump’s unverified claim, not an established count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about Trump and Epstein’s relationship?
AP reports that Trump and Epstein were friends before Epstein’s sexual predation was widely known. AP says Trump knew something about Epstein’s social life and interest in younger women, but also reports that there is no evidence Trump knew Epstein was involved in sex trafficking of minors. A social connection, plane travel, or a mention in records does not by itself establish criminal conduct or knowledge of it.
AP quotes Trump’s 2002 description of Epstein in New York Magazine: “Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” AP also reports Trump’s 2019 account that they had fallen out long before and that he did not think he had spoken to Epstein for 15 years. These are statements attributed to Trump, not independent findings about the relationship. AP’s account of their statements provides that context.
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