Feb 11, 2026 — Newly released FBI documents have brought fresh scrutiny to the relationship between Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a summary of a 2019 interview, a former Florida police chief claimed that Trump contacted him in 2006 to express support for the investigation into Epstein’s misconduct.
The record, made public as part of a massive release of documents related to the Epstein case in early 2026, details a conversation between Trump and then-Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter.
"Everyone Has Known He's Been Doing This"
The FBI document, a "302" interview summary, indicates that Trump called Chief Reiter shortly after local authorities began their initial probe into allegations that Epstein was sexually exploiting underage girls.
According to the record, Trump allegedly told the chief:
"Thank goodness you’re stopping him—everyone has known he’s been doing this."
Reiter told investigators in 2019 that Trump described the behavior as common knowledge among socialites in both New York and Palm Beach.
The former chief also claimed Trump warned him about Ghislaine Maxwell, referring to her as Epstein’s "operative" and describing her as "evil," urging police to maintain their focus on her.
Key Revelations from the FBI File
The interview record highlights several claims made by the former police chief regarding Trump’s stance in 2006:
Mar-a-Lago Expulsion: Trump reportedly stated he had already kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because of his "disgusting" behavior.
Immediate Exit: Trump allegedly told Reiter he was once present when teenagers were around Epstein but "got the hell out of there" immediately.
Early Informant: The document notes that Trump was one of the first high-profile individuals to reach out to local police after the investigation became public.
Contradictions and Denials
These revelations appear to contrast with statements Trump made in July 2019 following Epstein’s federal arrest. At that time, Trump told reporters he had "no idea" about Epstein's alleged crimes and had not spoken to the financier in "fifteen years."
The U.S. Justice Department has noted that while the interview record exists, they have not found independent evidence to corroborate that the 2006 phone call took place. Similarly, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during a recent briefing that the call "may or may not have happened," but emphasized that the report reinforces Trump's long-standing claim that he found Epstein's behavior unacceptable and cut ties early.
The Broader Investigation
The release of these files comes during a period of intense legal activity surrounding the Epstein legacy.
Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence, recently appeared before the House Oversight Committee, where she invoked her Fifth Amendment rights.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also faced legislative questioning regarding his past associations with Epstein.
While the documents provide new insight into the timeline of what public figures may have known, the Justice Department clarified that the files do not contain credible information to merit new criminal investigations into the President.
No comments: