US Justice Department Releases Ghislaine Maxwell Interviews Detailing Epstein Connections

Ghislaine Maxwell, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, said she never saw Donald Trump act inappropriately and denied knowledge of Epstein’s “client list.” She also denied claims about Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre. The Justice Department released the interviews, and Maxwell was recently moved to a Texas prison without explanation.

Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, provided detailed statements in interviews released by the US Department of Justice on Friday, asserting that she never witnessed US President Donald Trump engaging in any inappropriate behavior. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and related crimes, emphasized that during the times she was in Trump’s presence, he always acted with decorum and respect. “I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” she said. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.” Her comments were among a series of clarifications she made regarding the high-profile network surrounding Epstein and the allegations tied to his activities.

Maxwell, a former British socialite and close associate of Epstein, further stated that she had no knowledge of a so-called “client list” allegedly maintained by Epstein. This list has been a focal point of public attention and speculation because of the serious nature of Epstein’s crimes and his connections to several high-profile figures, including Prince Andrew, former US President Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. The controversy surrounding this list stems from allegations that it documented prominent individuals who may have engaged in or been complicit with Epstein’s illicit activities. Trump has consistently maintained that his friendship with Epstein ended long before any scandal emerged, seeking to distance himself from the growing controversy.

During his presidential campaign, Trump had made public statements suggesting he would release the “client list” if elected, but once in office, he refrained from doing so. This decision came amid ongoing speculation and allegations from various sources, including former ally Elon Musk, suggesting that Trump’s name might be on the list. Over time, pressure has increased from Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, who have urged the release of documents relating to the Epstein case, calling for transparency and accountability.

Jeffrey Epstein himself died by apparent suicide in 2019 while he was in federal custody awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking teenage girls, an event that intensified scrutiny on those associated with him and raised numerous legal and public interest questions about the reach of his network.

In her interviews, Maxwell also addressed claims involving Prince Andrew, stating that she never introduced him to Epstein. She firmly denied allegations that Andrew had sexual encounters with Virginia Giuffre, who was 17 at the time, at Maxwell’s London home. Maxwell argued that the room Giuffre described was far too small for such an encounter to have occurred. Additionally, Maxwell contested the authenticity of a widely circulated photograph showing Prince Andrew with his arm around Giuffre while Maxwell appears in the background, describing the image as “literally a fake photo.” Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations, though he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022. Giuffre, who had accused Epstein of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and later relocated to Australia, tragically took her own life in April of this year, further adding to the gravity and complexity of the case.

The interviews with Maxwell were conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Justice Department’s second-highest official, and were publicly released on Friday. The Department of Justice emphasized that the release aimed to be fully transparent, noting, “Except for the names of victims, every word is included. Nothing removed. Nothing hidden.” According to the transcripts, the interviews took place on July 24, and in the days following, Maxwell was transferred from her low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas. Neither her legal team nor prison authorities offered an explanation for the transfer, leaving observers to speculate on the reasons behind the move.

Maxwell’s statements shed light on her perspective regarding the intricate web of relationships surrounding Epstein, the controversies tied to prominent public figures, and her own role within these events. Her insistence on not witnessing any inappropriate behavior by Donald Trump, coupled with her denials concerning knowledge of Epstein’s alleged client list, adds another layer to the complex narrative that has captivated public attention for years. The release of these interviews comes at a time when the Justice Department and other authorities continue to face intense public scrutiny regarding their handling of Epstein-related materials and the broader implications for accountability among the influential individuals connected to him.