Ex-police chief said Trump told him in 2006 ‘everyone’ knew of Epstein’s behaviour
Former Florida Police Chief Claims Donald Trump Called in 2006 About Jeffrey Epstein’s Behavior
An FBI document, part of the latest release of Epstein files, reveals a former Florida police chief received a call from Donald Trump in 2006. The now-president allegedly told him “everyone” knew about the disgraced financier’s behavior, according to the written summary of a 2019 FBI interview. The document, which identifies the interview subject as the Palm Beach police chief during the Epstein investigation, notes that the officer’s name has been redacted.
Details of the Alleged Call
Michael Reiter, the former police chief, stated in the interview that Trump called him after the department began investigating Epstein. Reiter recounted Trump saying:
“Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.”
The call reportedly occurred in July 2006, when Reiter claimed Trump informed him he had expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club and that “people in New York knew he was disgusting.”
Trump’s Denials and the Plea Deal
Reiter also alleged Trump referred to Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s “operative” and emphasized focusing on her, calling her “evil.” Maxwell was later convicted in 2021 for her role in facilitating underage sex trafficking for Epstein. The document further states Reiter told the FBI Trump was present during Epstein’s interactions with teenagers and “got the hell out of there.”
The case against Epstein was initially handled by Palm Beach police in 2006 but was transferred to federal prosecutors in 2008. A controversial plea deal was reached, granting Epstein a non-prosecution agreement to avoid more severe charges. A justice department official, speaking to the BBC, noted:
“We are not aware of any corroborating evidence that the president contacted law enforcement 20 years ago.”
White House Response
At a briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the reported call, stating:
“It may or may not have happened in 2006. I don’t know the answer.”
She reiterated Trump’s longstanding claim that he kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago “because Jeffrey Epstein was a creep,” suggesting the call aligns with that narrative.
The BBC has sought comment from Reiter regarding the allegations. Trump and Epstein were known to socialize and appear together in photographs during the 1990s, but the timing and context of the 2006 call add new layers to the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
