Epstein's Shadow: Uncovering the Ties Between Trump, Epstein, and the Modeling Industry

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein's friendship was built on a foundation of excess, power, and a shared affection for young models, as revealed by those who knew them. Long before Epstein's conviction, they were poster boys for 90s New York City's decadent party scene, with Epstein claiming he introduced Trump to his third wife, Melania. Their lives intersected over the decades, with Epstein investing in Trump's modeling agency and Trump later making a significant profit from flipping an oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach.

Key Takeaways:

• Epstein and Trump's friendship began in the 1990s, with Epstein joining Trump for parties at Mar-a-Lago and investing in Trump's modeling agency, Trump Models.
• Trump and Epstein's friendship was built on a shared interest in young models, with Epstein later investing in Jean-Luc Brunel's MC2 modeling agency, which had been banned from Europe after accusations of abuse.
• In 2002, Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy" and a "lot of fun to be with," and even bragged about his access to young models through his modeling agency.
• Trump and Epstein's friendship ceased around 2003, after Epstein's 50th birthday and the leather-bound volume of tributes that included a lewd message attributed to Trump.
• Trump later flipped an oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach, which Epstein had also bid on, for $41 million and then sold it for $95 million to a Russian billionaire.
• Their friendship was not without controversy, with Epstein's abuse of teenagers and a lenient plea deal that included restitution to 36 victims in 2008.
• Trump's MAGA movement has rebelled after being promised lurid Epstein revelations by the very officials who now say there are none, leading some to cite conspiracy theory.
• Trump said the Epstein furor was "a witch hunt" and railed against the media, with Attorney General Pam Bondi telling Trump in May that he was named multiple times in the government's files on Epstein.

Statistics:

• In 2008, Epstein received a lenient plea deal that included restitution to 36 victims.
• A 2019 federal indictment cited "dozens" of victims.
• Epstein moved into one of the largest private homes in Manhattan, a townhouse previously owned by billionaire Les Wexner, in 1995.
• Trump and Epstein would later meet again at Mar-a-Lago at an invite-only event for a "calendar girl" competition organized by George Houraney, according to the New York Times.

Sources:

• Michael Gross, author of the 1995 book "Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women," told USA TODAY that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were "both horny rich guys with an eye for young models."
• Mike Rothschild, author of "The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything," said that the story is now about Donald Trump talking about Epstein.
• Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking a minor to Epstein for sexual abuse.
• Trump denied writing a lewd message in a leather-bound volume of tributes for Epstein's 50th birthday.