Trump claims Epstein 'stole' Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre from his Mar-a-Lago resort

DONALD TRUMP HAS claimed that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “stole” Virginia Giuffre and other young women who worked at his Mar-a-Lago beach club spa.

Speaking aboard Air Force One as he returned from Scotland yesterday, Trump offered a new explanation for his fallout with Jeffrey Epstein, telling reporters that the disgraced financier had poached staff from Mar-a-Lago’s spa.

Trump claimed that this had prompted him to sever ties with the late sex offender.

“He took people that worked for me. And I told him, ‘Don’t do it anymore.’ And he did it. I said, ‘Stay the hell out of here,’” Trump said.

When pressed, he confirmed that some of the employees taken by Epstein were young women.

“The answer is yes, they were in the spa,” he told reporters.

Among those Trump identified was Virginia Giuffre, who he suggested had been recruited while working at the resort’s spa in 2000.

“I think she worked at the spa… I think that was one of the people. He stole her,” he said.

“By the way, she had no complaints about us, as you know, none whatsoever.”

Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, became one of Epstein’s most well-known accusers.

She alleged that she had been recruited by Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell at the age of 16, and was then sexually abused by Epstein. Giuffre also alleged that she was trafficked to powerful men, including the UK’s Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations and reached a financial settlement with Giuffre in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing.

The Trump administration has come under mounting criticism from his political base for failing to follow through on campaign promises to release Epstein-related files. 

While Trump previously committed to revealing more about the case, the Justice Department recently stated that no incriminating list or significant evidence would be disclosed, causing frustration among supporters.

Legal scrutiny has also intensified around Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking and conspiracy.

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Her legal team has indicated that she is willing to testify before the US Congress, but only if granted immunity or a presidential pardon.

The House Oversight Committee has refused to consider such immunity.

Last week, Maxwell was interviewed inside a Florida courthouse by US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The contents of the interview have not been made public, but the Justice Department has said it is continuing efforts to unseal relevant materials.

Trump has suggested that any decision to pardon Maxwell would be within his rights, although he has not been formally asked to do so.

Trump’s evolving explanation for his break with Epstein has shifted over time.

While the White House initially said Epstein was banned from Mar-a-Lago “for being a creep”, Trump has now claimed the rift occurred after Epstein hired spa staff working for him.

The timeline remains questionable. Giuffre was allegedly recruited by Maxwell in 2000, but in 2002, Trump publicly described Epstein as a “terrific guy” in a New York magazine interview, saying they both liked beautiful women, “many of them on the younger side”.

Questions also remain over the duration of Epstein’s membership at Mar-a-Lago.

Investigative reporting has indicated that he remained on the club’s membership rolls until 2007, well after his first arrest for soliciting a minor.

The Epstein case has continued to haunt Trump politically.

Though he has distanced himself from Epstein, both were seen together at numerous parties in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Several women who later accused Epstein of abuse have said they first met him at events co-hosted by or attended with Trump. Trump has denied all allegations of misconduct.

Despite attempts by Trump and his allies to move attention away from the Epstein affair, interest in the case remains high.

Meanwhile, Maxwell’s lawyers are seeking a Supreme Court review of her conviction, arguing that she did not receive a fair trial.

They claim she is willing to testify openly and publicly, should she be granted immunity or a presidential pardon.

Trump has so far resisted calls to issue such a pardon but has not ruled it out entirely.

Additional reporting from PA

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