Epstein’s Staff Tracked Trump Amid Document Release

Freshly disclosed internal communications from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reveal that his inner circle meticulously monitored Donald Trump’s movements, particularly his air travel, and kept Epstein informed of news related to his former associate for years after their friendship deteriorated. This extensive cache of approximately 20,000 pages, released by Republican members of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, sheds new light on the intricate relationship between the two prominent figures.

The revelation comes as Trump continues to grapple with the political repercussions of his past ties to Epstein, a controversy further fueled by his Justice Department’s failure to release documents related to Epstein, a promise he made repeatedly during his presidential campaigns. The newly public records offer a glimpse into the extent of Epstein’s interest in Trump, even as their public association had seemingly cooled.

Tracking Travel Logistics

A significant portion of the reviewed communications, as detailed by The Guardian, focused on Trump’s travel logistics. It appears that Epstein and Trump frequently utilized the same airports, necessitating careful coordination to avoid conflicts or simply to keep Epstein aware of Trump’s whereabouts. This was particularly evident in the period immediately following Trump’s unexpected victory in the 2016 presidential election.

For instance, on November 25, 2016, just weeks after the election, Epstein’s pilot, Larry Visoski, sent an email inquiring about flight plans. “Trump is still scheduled to depart Sunday between 4 and 6 pm,, Let me know if we are firm for wheels up Saturday at 6pm still?” Visoski wrote. Epstein’s brief reply indicated his direct involvement: “will let you know tomorrow morning.” Such exchanges underscore a clear effort to track Trump’s movements, often in relation to Epstein’s own travel arrangements.

Beyond Flight Plans

Beyond the practicalities of shared aviation facilities, some emails indicated a broader interest in Trump’s general location. On December 2, 2017, Epstein received a heads-up that Trump was in his vicinity. The message read: “Trump in our neighborhood today. Looks like he is going to 740 Park for a fundraiser.” While the sender’s name was redacted in the public release, the email was signed by Richard Kahn, Epstein’s accountant, suggesting that multiple members of Epstein’s staff were involved in monitoring Trump.

The documents also contain lighter, albeit telling, moments. One visitor awaiting entry to Epstein’s residence humorously referenced Trump, writing, “[I’m] at the door but i will wait for my time. . i dont want to come early to find trump in your house,” followed by two smiling emojis. The name of this individual was also redacted, but the anecdote highlights Trump’s continued presence in conversations surrounding Epstein, even years after their public ties had frayed.

Broader Media Monitoring

The newly released files further reveal that Epstein’s associates routinely forwarded him numerous news articles concerning Trump, including reports detailing controversies surrounding the then-president. This consistent flow of information suggests Epstein maintained a keen interest in Trump’s public image and political challenges.

Among the forwarded articles were a January 2019 story on the arrest of Trump ally Roger Stone and another piece discussing Michael Cohen’s interactions with prosecutors. These examples demonstrate that Epstein was kept abreast of significant legal and political developments impacting Trump, indicating a sustained, if indirect, engagement with his former friend’s public life. The comprehensive nature of these disclosures paints a picture of Epstein’s enduring fascination with Trump, even as the two men’s paths ostensibly diverged.

Source: The Guardian