In a fresh wave of revelations that promise to intensify scrutiny surrounding the enduring connections between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, previously unseen archival footage and photographs are shedding new light on their past relationship. These newly surfaced materials challenge previous narratives and offer a stark reminder of the intertwined social circles of the powerful and the problematic.
For the first time, photographic evidence from 1993 definitively places Jeffrey Epstein among the exclusive guests at Donald Trump’s lavish wedding to Marla Maples. The ceremony, held at the iconic Plaza Hotel, was a high-profile affair, and Epstein’s presence, until now largely unacknowledged, adds a new dimension to the known timeline of their association.
Further visual documentation, specifically raw footage from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion event in New York, captures Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein engaged in animated conversation and laughter just moments before the runway show. This footage, meticulously uncovered by CNN’s KFile during a broader review of Trump’s public appearances in the 1990s and early 2000s, offers a rare glimpse into their camaraderie. While the limited archival material reviewed showed only one such direct interaction, its significance is amplified by the renewed focus on their past ties.
Also Read: WSJ reveals Bill Clinton’s note to Jeffrey Epstein
These newly surfaced images and video clips, largely unreported until now and predating Epstein’s widely publicized legal troubles, arrive amidst heightened public and political scrutiny of Donald Trump’s relationship with the disgraced financier. This renewed attention is partly fueled by the Justice Department’s recent decision to withhold the release of certain long-anticipated files related to Epstein, a move that has sparked considerable outrage, particularly within corners of Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. Many within this base had developed a firm expectation of bombshell revelations concerning Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators.
When pressed by CNN on Tuesday about the wedding photos, President Donald Trump reportedly dismissed the inquiry with incredulity, responding, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” before repeatedly characterizing CNN as “fake news” and abruptly ending the call.
In a formal statement, Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director, countered the implications of the newly revealed content: “These are nothing more than out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious. The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.”
It is critical to recall that allegations of Epstein sexually abusing underage girls first emerged in 2005, leading to his initial arrest a year later. He was again arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, subsequently dying by suicide in jail, a death officially ruled as a hanging by the medical examiner, yet one that continues to fuel numerous conspiracy theories.
A Past Relationship: Deeper Than Previously Understood
The relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein stretches back to the 1980s, marked by their consistent presence at high-society events in both Palm Beach and New York. It is important to note that no law enforcement authorities have ever accused Mr. Trump of wrongdoing in connection to Epstein’s illicit activities.
According to The Washington Post, their friendship reportedly soured in the mid-2000s, a rift stemming from a dispute over a high-profile real estate deal in Palm Beach. However, prior to this alleged falling-out, photographs and video consistently depicted their amicable association. In 2019, NBC released footage from a 1992 party showing Trump socializing with Epstein.
A year later, in October 1993, renowned high-society photographer Dafydd Jones captured photos at the opening of the Harley Davidson Cafe in New York, including an image of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein together, with Trump’s arm around his two young children as he stood next to Epstein, leaning on a railing.
Two months subsequent, in December 1993, Jones, on assignment to photograph Trump’s wedding, captured an image of Epstein entering the event. Reflecting on the significance of this now-uncovered photo, Jones remarked, “I wish now I took more of him with Trump. I had the job of photographing the Trump wedding, so I stood with the press and photographed him. The image you have is from the contact sheet — the negatives were lost.”
Another photograph, part of LIFE magazine’s archive reviewed by CNN, also shows Epstein smiling in the background of Trump’s wedding, his head just visible between other guests and media personalities Howard Stern and Robin Leach, who were posing for a group picture. LIFE’s extensive collection of wedding photos, available online through Google Images and Shutterstock, contains multiple instances of Epstein’s presence.
“I must have recognized him going in [to the event],” Jones stated, explaining that he selectively photographed attendees he found interesting.
Together at a Fashion Show and Beyond
The 1999 fashion show was not the sole Victoria’s Secret event the pair attended together. Two photographs from Getty Images show Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein appearing at a 1997 Angels party in New York, two years before the footage uncovered by CNN. Epstein’s consistent presence at such events also reflects his long-standing ties to Leslie Wexner, the billionaire founder of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company, whose finances Epstein managed from 1987 to approximately 2007. Wexner and Epstein later severed ties, with Wexner asserting he was unaware of Epstein’s alleged crimes during their association.
In 2002, Donald Trump was quoted in a New York Magazine profile of Epstein — “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery” — describing him as “a terrific guy,” and noting he had known Epstein for 15 years. Trump further added, “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
Flight logs further document that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jets between Palm Beach and New York at least seven times. In his 2004 book, “Trump: How To Get Rich,” Trump also made an enigmatic reference to a man he called “the mysterious Jeffrey.” “As mysterious as Jeffrey is,” Trump wrote, “he’s one of the few people I know who can get by on just a first name. My staff never asks for a last name in his case, which in a way puts him up there with Elvis. Not that Elvis calls in much these days, but you never know.” It remains unclear if this “mysterious Jeffrey” definitively refers to Epstein, and the White House did not address this specific point in its comment to CNN.
Images published in the Palm Beach Post in 2000 also show Donald Trump, Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell — who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking — and Prince Andrew in attendance at a charity fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
The Question of Unsealed Files: Why Donald Trump Can’t Let Jeffrey Case Reopen
The latest revelations come as the Justice Department faces intense public and political pressure regarding the unsealing of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported on a birthday message allegedly sent bearing Donald Trump’s name for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003. According to the Journal, the message contained an outline of a naked woman and a typed note that ended with the line: “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Following the Journal‘s report, the Trump administration had initially pledged to facilitate the release of grand jury materials related to Epstein, seemingly to address public clamor. However, the Justice Department’s subsequent decision to not release further “Epstein files” has been met with significant backlash, particularly from certain segments of Mr. Trump’s base who had anticipated explosive revelations. This perceived reversal has led to considerable speculation and frustration, with some questioning why Donald Trump can’t let Jeffrey case reopen fully.
The federal judge overseeing Maxwell’s case had set a deadline for the Justice Department to provide information to determine whether to unseal certain transcripts. Moreover, the Department of Justice confirmed earlier this week that it had reached out to Maxwell for a meeting amidst the widespread criticism over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files.
Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, confirmed to CNN that they “are in discussions with the government” on the matter. “Ghislaine will always testify truthfully. We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case,” Markus said.
Donald Trump has vehemently denied authoring the note and drawing reported by The Wall Street Journal, calling the report false. On Friday, he filed a libel lawsuit against the newspaper in federal court in Florida, signaling his aggressive stance in challenging what he considers defamatory reporting related to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. The ongoing legal battles and political maneuvering ensure that the lingering questions surrounding Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein continue to dominate headlines, leaving many to ponder the full scope of their historical ties