Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, described himself as Donald Trump’s “closest friend” and shared shocking details about their relationship, including intimate information about Trump’s personal life. These revelations came to light in tapes shared by author Michael Wolff on his podcast Fire and Fury.
In the tapes, Epstein claimed that Trump’s first sexual encounter with his wife, Melania, “was on my plane,” which was known as the “Lolita Express.” Epstein spoke with Wolff two years before his death in a jail cell. At the time, Wolff was researching his book Fire and Fury. (Full recordings at the end of the article)
The tapes offer a glimpse into the friendship between Epstein and Trump, shedding light on their shared history and attitudes toward women. The recordings could stir further debate about Trump’s character, especially as the presidential election nears.
Epstein reflected on the long relationship between the two men, who had very different fates: One ended up in prison and took his life, while the other rose to power in the Oval Office and faced criminal charges over hush money payments.
The tapes also reveal details about their social lives, where the two men often went out together to find women in places like New York and Atlantic City.
Epstein painted a complex picture of Trump. He described him as “charming” and “always fun,” with impressive sales skills. However, he also claimed Trump was a serial cheater in his marriages and enjoyed “sleeping with the wives of his best friends.”
Epstein alleged that while Trump had friends, he was a lonely man, incapable of showing kindness. He even claimed Trump had undergone surgery to reduce his baldness and referred to himself as “The Trumpster.” When asked how he knew so much about Trump, Epstein answered, “I was Donald’s closest friend for 10 years.”
Wolff shared some of the tape with The Daily Beast ahead of its release on his podcast. Last week, Wolff also revealed another recording in which Epstein detailed his knowledge of Trump’s administration. Additionally, Epstein showed Wolff photos of Trump with young women sitting on his lap.
Wolff, who is known for his books on Trump and Epstein, said he decided to release parts of the tapes after a new accuser came forward with allegations that Trump had groped her in 1992.
Epstein had been convicted in 2008 for soliciting underage girls for sex, but he avoided further prosecution through a controversial plea deal. He continued to associate with powerful people, including billionaire investors and political figures.
In July 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. Just weeks later, he was found dead in his prison cell, with authorities ruling his death a suicide.
Wolff interviewed Epstein in 2017 at his Manhattan townhouse. The tapes reveal Epstein’s perspective on Trump, offering both positive and critical views. Epstein described Trump as a man who, while charming, was also emotionally immature and prone to tantrums. He claimed Trump had a “functionally illiterate” understanding of business and would often yell at staff.
Epstein also discussed Trump’s behavior toward women. He said Trump often made advances toward the wives of his friends, using manipulation and deceit to seduce them. In one instance, Epstein alleged that Trump took a woman to a casino in Atlantic City and afterward bragged, “The only thing I really like to do is f— the wives of my best friends.”
The tapes include other disturbing allegations, including Trump’s scheme to seduce his friends’ wives by secretly discussing their sex lives and using that information to exploit them. Epstein even claimed that Trump had cheated on both of his ex-wives with other women.
Although many of Epstein’s claims are unverified, the tapes provide an unsettling look into Trump’s private life, including his relationships with women and his interactions with close associates. Epstein even suggested that Trump had an affair with a politician while in office, though no proof was offered for this claim.
Trump has dismissed Wolff and the tapes, calling the author a “disgraced writer” who fabricates lies to sell books. Trump’s campaign also denied any claims about his relationship with Epstein, asserting that Trump had distanced himself from the financier when the sex-trafficking allegations surfaced.
Epstein’s comments on Trump were not all negative, however. He praised Trump’s handling of certain political issues. The tapes also mention several powerful figures in Trump’s circle, such as Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, as well as billionaires like Carl Icahn and Tom Barrack.
Epstein, despite being one of the most infamous sex offenders, offered a damning critique of Trump, saying, “The moral compass just does not exist.”
The tapes provide an eye-opening look into the lives of two powerful men and the complex relationship they shared.
You can listen to the full podcast below.
