In a newly surfaced FBI document from the U.S. Department of Justice’s
extensive Epstein files release, former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael
Reiter recounted a 2006 phone call from Donald Trump expressing relief
over the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sexual abuse of underage
girls.
According to the FD-302 interview summary dated October 18, 2019, Trump
allegedly said, “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known
he’s been doing this,” referring to Epstein’s activities.Trump, who was a
prominent real estate developer and socialite at the time, also reportedly
described Epstein as “disgusting,” claimed he had banned him from his Mar-a-Lago club, and labeled Ghislaine Maxwell—Epstein’s associate—as
“evil,” urging authorities to “focus on her.”
The document, part of over 3 million pages released under the Epstein Files
Transparency Act signed by President Trump in November 2025, provides a
rare glimpse into early law enforcement efforts against Epstein.Reiter, who
led the Palm Beach Police Department (PBPD) from 2001 to 2009, was
instrumental in the initial 2005 probe that uncovered Epstein’s scheme of
recruiting high school girls for “massages” that escalated to sexual abuse.
The investigation began after a tip about suspicious activity at Epstein’s
oceanfront mansion, where surveillance revealed underage girls entering the
property.
Victims described a pyramid scheme where they were paid to recruit others,
with dozens of girls as young as 14 involved.
Reiter’s 2019 FBI interview details frustrations with the case: PBPD faced
pushback from state prosecutors, who downplayed victim credibility and
pushed for misdemeanor charges despite evidence of sexual battery.Epstein’s
defense team allegedly leaked information, harassed officers, and used
private investigators to intimidate witnesses. The case was referred to federal
authorities, leading to Epstein’s controversial 2008 non-prosecution
agreement, where he served just 13 months in jail with work release
privileges.Reiter has called this “the worst failure of the criminal justice
system in modern times.”
Trump and Epstein had socialized in elite circles during the 1990s and early
2000s, with Trump once describing Epstein as a “terrific guy” in a 2002 New York Magazine profile. However, Trump has long maintained he severed ties
around 2004, citing Epstein as a “creep” and denying knowledge of his
crimes. The White House and DOJ have stated there is no corroborating
evidence for the 2006 call, with officials noting, “We are not aware of any
corroborating evidence that the President contacted law enforcement 20 years
ago.”Trump has dismissed the broader Epstein investigations as a “Democrat
hoax.”
The revelation has sparked mixed reactions. Pro-Trump outlets frame it as
evidence of him aiding the probe early on. Critics, however, point to
inconsistencies with Trump’s later claims of ignorance and question the
timing of Reiter’s recollection. On social media, discussions range from
vindication to skepticism, with users noting the call’s potential implications
for what elites “knew.”
Maxwell, convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking and serving a 20-year sentence,
has remained silent on the matter, invoking her Fifth Amendment rights in
recent appearances. No evidence in the files links Trump to Epstein’s crimes,
and he has not been accused of wrongdoing by authorities.
This development underscores ongoing debates about accountability in the
Epstein saga, where wealth and influence allegedly shielded perpetrators for
years. As more files emerge, questions persist about systemic failures and
what was known in high society circles.
For the full FBI document, visit the DOJ Epstein archives.
