Jeffrey Epstein’s decision to distance himself from Donald Trump due to his realization that the former President was a “crook” has been revealed by his brother, Mark Epstein. In a recent interview, Mark disclosed that Jeffrey had shown him an unaired interview conducted by Steve Bannon, where Jeffrey mentioned that he stopped hanging out with Trump after recognizing his questionable nature.
The relationship between Epstein and Trump dates back to the 1980s, with the two moving in elite Manhattan social circles and often crossing paths at events. Epstein’s residence in Palm Beach was conveniently located near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, where the two men frequented. However, their friendship took a turn when Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on sex-trafficking charges, leading to his untimely death behind bars.
According to author Michael Wolff, Epstein not only viewed Trump as a “crook” but also harbored a sense of fear towards him. Wolff, who had interactions with Epstein while writing his book “Fire and Fury,” described Epstein’s unease with Trump’s presidential victory and their competitive friendship dynamic.
Wolff detailed how Epstein perceived Trump as being beneath him in terms of class and sophistication, leading to tensions between the two over financial matters and women. Their falling out allegedly stemmed from a real estate deal in 2004, where Trump outbid Epstein for a property that the latter had set his sights on.
Despite their past friendship, Epstein’s fear of Trump escalated after the latter’s election as President. Wolff recalled a conversation with Epstein where the sex offender expressed concerns over Trump’s capabilities and lack of moral boundaries. Epstein’s apprehension towards Trump was shared by others who knew him well, highlighting the extent of fear he felt towards the former President.
While Wolff urged Epstein to go public with his insights on Trump, Epstein’s reluctance to do so ultimately led to his demise in prison. Trump has faced criticism for his administration’s handling of Epstein’s case and the alleged existence of incriminating documents linking him to the criminal activities. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump’s name appears multiple times in these documents, raising further questions about his association with Epstein and the extent of their ties.