‘Making a very big thing over something not big’: Trump deflects Epstein questions

“A lot of people have been asking me about pardons” for Maxwell, Trump said. “Obviously, this is no time to be talking about pardons. You’re making a very big thing over something that’s not a big thing.”

Trump’s attempt to downplay the matter comes amid mounting public and political pressure following a series of new disclosures that have deepened questions about his past association with Epstein.

Despite his deflection, Trump acknowledged on Friday that he has the authority to issue federal pardons, including for Maxwell, but emphasized that “it’s something I have not thought about.”

Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021, met twice this week with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

President Donald Trump’s golf course in Turnberry, Scotland. (Photo: AP)

What are the allegations against Trump?

The New York Times reported that Trump’s name appears in a 2003 birthday book compiled for Epstein, a leather-bound collection of notes, drawings, and tributes from friends and acquaintances. While he has denied submitting a sexually suggestive note and sketch — as reported by The Wall Street Journal — his name is listed among contributors, alongside other public figures including former President Bill Clinton.

The book begins with a handwritten note from Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for conspiring to sexually traffic minors. According to The Journal, Maxwell organized the book, which featured categories like “Friends” — where both Trump and Clinton were listed.

In one reported message, The Journal described a cartoonish drawing of a nude woman said to have been signed by Trump. The note allegedly read: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump has denied authoring it and, last week, filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Journal, its parent company Dow Jones, owner Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters.

Trump has also barred Wall Street Journal reporters from his Scotland trip, which includes stops at his Turnberry golf resort and a visit to Aberdeen, where his family is developing a second course.

Newly surfaced photographs published by CNN this week showed Trump and Epstein together at the former’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples and at a Victoria’s Secret event the same year, where they appeared to chat with Melania Trump. Meanwhile, The Times reviewed a 1997 inscription from Trump in a copy of “Trump: The Art of the Comeback” that belonged to Epstein. The message read: “To Jeff — You are the greatest!”

On Wednesday, a House committee voted to subpoena the Justice Department for Epstein-related investigative files, with several Republicans siding with Democrats. Representative Ro Khanna of California has also signalled plans to subpoena Epstein’s estate for the full birthday book.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel are also facing criticism over a recent reversal on commitments to release the Epstein files. Trump has responded angrily to the backlash, calling the reporting “fake news” and demanding the unsealing of grand jury transcripts, though a federal judge in Florida rejected that request earlier this week.