Fact Check: Is retired pilot's claim of Trump's plane flying to Epstein's island 37 times true?

WASHINGTON, DC: Many rumors surrounding President Donald Trump and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have surfaced online recently since the Department of Justice's memo stated there was no "client list". Most of these rumors have been debunked.

However, recently, another rumor surfaced online where a Facebook user, who said he was a former Canadian Airlines pilot, claimed that Donald Trump's plane flew to the late financier's island at least 37 times. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Retired pilot claims Trump's plane flew to Epstein's island 37 times

In August 2025, a claim circulated online, reportedly made by a retired Canadian Airlines pilot, that Donald Trump's plane flew to Jeffrey Epstein's island at least 37 times.

A Facebook user named Tom Crosby first made the claim on August 6 as he wrote, "I don't know, but every flight that flies is tracked by ATS. Donald Trump's plane flew to Epstein's island at least 37 times, tracked on radar. You're welcome. All flights anywhere are saved for ten years or more. Retired pilot, Canadian Airlines First Officer Tom Crosby."

The screenshot of the post was soon shared by several other Facebook users.

Moreover, it circulated on X, Threads, and Bluesky as well.

False: No credible evidence to back claim Trump's plane flew to Epstein's island 37 times

The claims made in the online rumor are false, as there is no evidence to prove that Tom Crosby's claim is true, and further research threw doubt on his alleged credentials, Snopes reported.

People's comments on Crosby's now-deleted post pointed out that the pin he wore in the attached photo did not look like one belonging to Canadian Airlines.

Moreover, the pin appeared to come from a pilot's costume from the online retailer Amazon, which also included a white shirt with epaulets like the one Crosby wore.

Furthermore, no such claims were reported by any reputable media house. Crosby's claim that "all flights anywhere are saved for ten years or more" was also hard to prove. 

Meanwhile, Trump said in January 2025 that he never visited Epstein's island, which prosecutors alleged the disgraced financier used for sex trafficking.

Epstein owned the Great St James and Little St James islands in the US Virgin Islands before he died in 2019.

Judge known for tough rulings against Trump takes charge of Epstein files lawsuit

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, known for her tough rulings against Donald Trump, will take charge of a high-stakes lawsuit demanding the release of secret government records related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Democracy Forward Foundation (DFF), a nonprofit watchdog group, has pressed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI to disclose any communications involving Trump officials about Epstein and interactions between Trump and Epstein.

The lawsuit demands "all materials prepared or compiled by DOJ officials for Attorney General Pam Bondi’s review regarding the Jeffrey Epstein matter."

It likely includes the elusive client list purportedly containing names of powerful individuals allegedly involved in Epstein’s network.

Interestingly, Bondi once publicly stated the list was on her desk, only to later deny its existence, adding to the controversy and calls for transparency.

Moreover, Judge Chutkan famously presided over Trump's federal election interference trial and has ruled against him in several high-profile legal battles.