Minyvonne BurkeMinyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.
Matt Korade and Kelly O’Donnell contributed.
Fallout and Renewed Pressure
The remarks have drawn renewed criticism and calls for transparency, especially from those demanding that more Epstein-related documents be made public. Despite downplaying the story in recent weeks — calling it “boring” — Trump now finds himself in the middle of fresh controversy over his past association with Epstein.
White House communications director Stephen Cheung emphasized last week that Trump ejected Epstein from Mar-a-Lago “for being a creep.”
While Trump attempts to distance himself from the Epstein scandal, critics argue that the acknowledgment of Giuffre’s connection to Mar-a-Lago only deepens questions surrounding the Trump-Epstein connection.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody, was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors.
As Trump’s 2024 campaign gains momentum, his relationship with Epstein — and now his reference to Giuffre — could become a flashpoint both politically and legally.
Giuffre Mentioned by Name
Trump was specifically asked whether Epstein had “stolen” Virginia Giuffre from the spa. Giuffre, who played a pivotal role in exposing the Epstein sex trafficking network, had said she was introduced to Epstein by Maxwell while working at Mar-a-Lago as a teenager.
“I think she worked at the spa,” Trump replied. “I think so. I think that was one of the people. He stole her.”
Trump added, “By the way, she had no complaints about us, as you know. None whatsoever.”
Trump’s recent comments have deepened public curiosity about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, especially given Epstein’s frequent presence at elite social circles like Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has claimed to sever ties with Epstein years before the financier’s arrest, his acknowledgment of Virginia Giuffre’s employment at the Mar-a-Lago spa complicates that narrative. The connection between Trump, Epstein, and Giuffre—whether through shared social spaces or overlapping personnel—raises serious questions. As more details emerge, this connection may come under increased legal and political scrutiny during Trump’s ongoing 2024 campaign.
Can you also see some new connection building?
Trump admits Jeffrey Epstein ‘stole’ Virginia Giuffre from the Mar-a-Lago spa, renewing scrutiny of the Trump-Epstein connection and Giuffre’s recruitment.
The Trump-Epstein connection has always been the subject of speculation, but Virginia Giuffre’s statement that she was recruited while working at Mar-a-Lago adds another dimension to the story. Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s luxurious private club in Palm Beach, was where Giuffre held a summer job as a teenager. According to her testimony, Ghislaine Maxwell approached her at the club and introduced her to Jeffrey Epstein, setting off a chain of events that would alter her life forever. This revelation ties Epstein’s network more closely to Trump’s orbit than previously understood, even if Trump himself has denied any wrongdoing.
Giuffre’s claim does not accuse Trump directly but highlights how Epstein and Maxwell exploited proximity to powerful spaces. Mar-a-Lago was not just an exclusive club; it was a gathering place for politicians, celebrities, and wealthy elites. The fact that recruitment for Epstein’s alleged trafficking network could have occurred there raises questions about the culture of silence and complicity in such circles. Critics argue that while Trump later distanced himself from Epstein—famously stating that the two had a “falling out”—the Mar-a-Lago link illustrates how vulnerable individuals could be targeted even in highly visible environments.
The “twist” here lies in the contrast: a teenage employee working in one of the most prestigious clubs in America was allegedly lured into one of the darkest scandals of the century. It’s a reminder of how abuse often hides in plain sight, shielded by wealth and influence. Moreover, it underscores how Maxwell’s role was central. While Epstein wielded money and connections, Maxwell allegedly provided the grooming, the trust-building, and the pipeline to young women.
For Trump, the resurfacing of these details adds political and reputational complications. His opponents point to the Mar-a-Lago recruitment story as evidence of dangerous proximity to Epstein’s operations. Supporters, however, emphasize that Trump was not implicated in Epstein’s crimes, and in fact, cooperated with law enforcement during investigations. Still, the optics of Epstein’s access to Mar-a-Lago and the exploitation of that space remain troubling.
Beyond politics, Giuffre’s story serves as a stark warning about workplace exploitation. Teenagers working entry-level jobs—be it at a country club, a mall, or a restaurant—are often seeking opportunity and stability. Yet predators look for precisely that vulnerability. The Mar-a-Lago episode symbolizes how systemic abuse operates: powerful abusers leveraging elite settings to mask their predatory behavior.
As court documents, testimonies, and media investigations continue to peel back the layers of the Epstein saga, the Mar-a-Lago connection will remain a focal point. It bridges the world of glitz and privilege with the grim reality of exploitation, ensuring that this “twist” will not be easily forgotten.
