Remarks on Epstein During Q&A with Reporters
"Epstein Took Employees from My Resort"
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after attempting to clarify suspicions about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, only to make a statement about one of the female victims, saying, "She was an employee who was taken from my resort." This comes as the White House has been trying to avoid commenting on the 'Epstein scandal,' yet President Trump himself ended up making a 'remarkable statement.'
As suspicions related to Epstein resurface primarily within Washington's political circles, negative analyses suggest that the related controversy could also impact President Trump's own political standing. Reuters·Yonhap News
On July 30, Yonhap News, citing AP and NBC, reported that President Trump made remarks related to Epstein during a Q&A session with reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from Scotland. When asked about the circumstances from 20 years ago when he allegedly severed ties with Epstein, President Trump said, "He took employees who worked for me," explaining that he was angered by this and subsequently banned Epstein from entering the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Up to this point, President Trump's statements were similar to claims he had made up until the previous day. Reporters then asked again whether any of the employees Epstein allegedly took were young women. President Trump responded, "The answer is yes. They worked at the spa," and added, "Whether it was at the spa or not, we do not want our employees to be taken." He continued to criticize Epstein, saying, "And not long after, he did it again."
Pressed by reporters, "He took Giuffre as well"
When pressed by reporters about whether Virginia Giuffre was among the women Epstein allegedly took, President Trump said, "I understand she worked at the spa. I think she was one of them," and added, "He took her away." Giuffre is a key figure among the victims who brought Epstein's sex crimes to public attention. She ignited the investigation into Epstein by revealing that she was sexually exploited by Epstein and his associates. In particular, she mentioned that she met Epstein's associates at the Mar-a-Lago resort during her teenage years. She was recently found dead by suicide in April of this year. Regarding Giuffre, President Trump also stated, "But she never had any complaints about us."
NBC broadcast described President Trump's remarks as a "shocking confession," reporting that it could amplify suspicions surrounding President Trump and Epstein. Reuters·Yonhap News
NBC described President Trump's comments as a "shocking confession," reporting that they could further amplify suspicions surrounding Trump and Epstein. According to Giuffre's previously known testimony, she was 17 years old in 2000 when, while working as an employee at the Mar-a-Lago resort owned by President Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, she was offered a job as Epstein's massage assistant. After being hired as a massage therapist, Giuffre claimed that she was groomed by both men and forced into sexual relations with Epstein's wealthy associates. Among the prominent figures Giuffre accused of forced sexual relations while she was a minor was Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, which caused a significant stir.
Meanwhile, President Trump has consistently denied any relationship with Epstein. However, as suspicions related to Epstein are once again spreading in Washington political circles, there are negative analyses suggesting that the controversy could impact President Trump's own political standing.
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