Trump’s Connection to Jeffrey Epstein Explained by Roger Stone

Roger Stone not too long ago defined Donald Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein as the previous president faces new assaults from supporters of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Trump exacerbated tensions with DeSantis this week after he shared a Reality Social put up that accused the governor of “grooming” underage ladies he was accountable for educating at a Georgia highschool in his newest tirade in opposition to the Florida Republican, who’s extensively seen as Trump’s high competitor within the 2024 GOP presidential major, regardless of not but asserting a marketing campaign.

Following the brouhaha, DeSantis’ supporters got here to his protection, drawing consideration to Trump’s ties to Epstein, who was arrested on federal prices of sex-trafficking minors in 2019. Many high-profile people and politicians have additionally confronted scrutiny over alleged connections to the billionaire.

“Trump is falsely accusing DeSantis of pedophilia. It’s only truthful to level out the truth that he traveled on Epstein’s Lolita Specific seven instances. It is usually truthful to level out that Trump lied concerning the variety of instances he traveled on that aircraft,” Ian Miles Cheong wrote in a viral tweet on Tuesday that has been considered greater than 300,000 instances as of Saturday afternoon.

Stone, a longtime Trump ally, weighed in on these connections throughout a current look on Lindell TV. He mentioned Trump solely visited Epstein’s Palm Seashore, Florida, residence as soon as, and added that he “instructed the touring safety guard, ‘Wow, what a pleasant man Jeffrey Epstein is, letting all the children within the neighborhood swim in his pool.”

“Reportedly, Trump left the Epstein residence after solely quarter-hour as a result of he was uncomfortable with the combo of youthful girls and the restricted variety of males,” Stone mentioned.

He dismissed some other assertions about their relationship as a “smear.”

“However now I see these smears being recycled all around the web,” Stone mentioned. “And I hate to say this, however they’re courtesy of supporters of Governor Ron DeSantis.”

Though Stone tried to downplay the ties between the 2, they for years ran in comparable social circles. Newsweek beforehand reported that information present Trump boarded Epstein’s aircraft, which allegedly flew underage ladies to his properties, seven instances, although no proof of wrongdoing has been offered.

Stone continued to defend Trump in a Substack put up, titled “Trump & Epstein: The Recycled Smear,” on Friday. He acknowledged that Trump knew Epstein, however dismissed claims that the previous president took a number of flights on Epstein’s aircraft.

“Trump turned down quite a few invites to Epstein’s hedonistic non-public island and his Palm Seashore dwelling. There isn’t any proof Trump did something improper. Norma Foerderer, Trump’s longtime private assistant, instructed me that Trump thought Epstein was ‘creepy,'” Stone wrote.

He additionally added that Trump “broke with” Epstein earlier than he was prosecuted in Florida. The Washington Submit reported in 2019 that their feud started after they each wished to buy a Palm Seashore property, Maison de l’Amitie.

What Trump Has Mentioned About Jeffrey Epstein

Through the years, Trump has distanced himself from Epstein. After Epstein’s 2019 arrest, the then-president mentioned he solely knew Epstein as a result of “everyone in Palm Seashore” did.

“I had a falling out with him. I have never spoken to him in 15 years. I used to be not a fan of his, that I can inform you,” he mentioned.

However earlier on, he supplied extra complimentary phrases towards his former pal.

“I’ve recognized Jeff for 15 years. Terrific man,” Trump instructed New York journal in 2002. “He is numerous enjoyable to be with. It’s even mentioned that he likes lovely girls as a lot as I do, and lots of of them are on the youthful aspect.”

Newsweek reached out to Trump’s workplace for remark.