Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet about eight times in the mid-1990s, new files reveal

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump traveled on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet at least eight times during the mid-1990s, according to a new email released by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The January 7, 2020, email from an assistant attorney read, "Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware)."

DOJ denies wrongdoing in newly released Epstein files

The email further read, "In particular, he is listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, including at least four flights on which Maxwell was also present. He is listed as having traveled with, among others and at various times, [second wife] Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric." 

"On one flight in 1993, he and Epstein are the only two listed passengers; on another, the only three passengers are Epstein, Trump, and then-20-year-old [redacted]. On two other flights, two of the passengers, respectively, were women who would be possible witnesses in a Maxwell case. We’ve just finished reviewing the full records (more than 100 pages of very small script) and didn’t want any of this to be a surprise down the road," the email mentioned.

The email provides no evidence that Trump was aware of Epstein’s crimes against women and girls, nor does it indicate wrongdoing on the part of the POTUS. Meanwhile, the latest release of documents, running to more than 30,000 pages, is part of the Epstein files that the DOJ was legally required to publish in their entirety by December 19.

The DOJ said in a statement on Tuesday, December 23, "Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already."

"Nevertheless, out of our commitment to the law and transparency, the DOJ is releasing these documents with the legally required protections for Epstein's victims," the statement on X mentioned.

Trump has dismissed the ongoing interest in the Epstein case as a ploy by Democrats to hurt him politically. He told reporters on Monday, December 22, "What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has. Like, for instance, today, we’re building the biggest ships in the world, most powerful ships in the world, and they’re asking me questions about Jeffrey Epstein. I thought that was finished." 

DOJ says Epstein file redactions protect victims

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a letter to Congress last week that the DOJ believes it has the authority to redact information beyond what critics argue is narrowly permitted under the law.

He said the Justice Department is also withholding internal materials, including deliberative documents, attorney work product, and privileged communications. Blanche reiterated last Sunday that the redactions are primarily aimed at protecting victims.

His remarks followed controversy over the temporary removal of an image containing a photo of Trump from the department’s online "Epstein Library," which was later restored.

He told NBC, "We’re going through a very methodical process with hundreds of lawyers looking at every single document and making sure that victims’ names and any of the information from victims is protected and redacted, which is exactly what the Epstein Files Transparency Act expects."