A newly surfaced FBI document reveals Donald Trump reached out to Palm Beach police in 2006 during the initial Jeffrey Epstein investigation, telling the chief that stopping the financier was urgent because “everyone has known he’s been doing this.”
Story Snapshot
- FBI interview summary from 2019 documents Trump’s July 2006 call to Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter during the Epstein probe
- Trump reportedly told Reiter he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s “evil” operative
- The call occurred as Epstein faced a grand jury indictment for soliciting prostitution involving underage girls
- Documents emerged from recently released DOJ files following the 2025 Epstein Files Transparency Act
- Chief Reiter remains unavailable for comment on the FBI account of the conversation
When Palm Beach Police Answered an Unexpected Call
Michael Reiter led the Palm Beach Police Department during one of the most contentious investigations in Florida history. Beginning in April 2005, his officers probed allegations that Jeffrey Epstein recruited girls as young as 14 for sexual massages at his waterfront mansion. The case generated friction with local prosecutors who Reiter believed were handling the matter too gently. As details leaked to media outlets in mid-2006, Reiter received an unusual phone call from a prominent Mar-a-Lago club owner with New York real estate ties.
What Trump Allegedly Told Law Enforcement
The FBI interview summary captures Reiter recounting Trump’s statements from July 2006. Trump allegedly expressed relief that police were “stopping him,” adding that widespread knowledge existed about Epstein’s activities. He claimed he had ejected Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, identified Maxwell as Epstein’s facilitator, and mentioned leaving an Epstein gathering after spotting teenagers. Trump also noted that people in New York understood Epstein’s behavior. The FBI documented these details in October 2019, two months after Epstein’s death in federal custody, when agents interviewed Reiter about the earlier investigation.
The Complicated History Between Two Socialites
Trump and Epstein moved in overlapping social circles during the 1990s and early 2000s. They attended parties together, shared flights, and Epstein held access to Mar-a-Lago. In 2002, Trump described Epstein as a “terrific guy” who enjoyed socializing with women “on the younger side.” That public praise contrasts sharply with Trump’s later claims of distancing himself from Epstein over alleged staff recruitment issues. The exact timing of any Mar-a-Lago ban remains unconfirmed through independent documentation, though Trump referenced it during the 2006 call to Reiter.
How Epstein Avoided Serious Consequences Initially
Despite Reiter’s department building a substantial case, the 2006 grand jury produced only a single count of solicitation of prostitution. Reiter publicly criticized the state attorney’s approach and apologized to victims, pushing the case to federal investigators. The resulting 2008 non-prosecution agreement allowed Epstein to plead guilty to state charges and serve just 13 months in a county jail with work release privileges. That deal became infamous as an example of justice failing victims when the accused wielded wealth and connections. Epstein wouldn’t face federal sex trafficking charges until his July 2019 arrest in New Jersey.
Why These Documents Surfaced Now
The FBI summary emerged from DOJ files released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation Congress passed and Trump signed on November 18, 2025, after months of presidential opposition. The act mandates disclosure of roughly 3 million pages of documents, including unredacted materials, Maxwell depositions, and investigative records. Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown, whose journalism reignited scrutiny of the Epstein case, broke the story about Trump’s 2006 call. The release creates political complications for Trump, even as his supporters argue the call demonstrates early awareness and cooperation rather than complicity.
Congressional access to unredacted files has intensified pressure on other figures with Epstein connections. Cabinet officials face questions about documented communications, with some lawmakers demanding resignations over alleged ties to Epstein’s network. The document dump validates victims who long insisted that powerful people knew about Epstein’s crimes while authorities delivered inadequate accountability. Whether full transparency arrives remains uncertain, as legal battles and redaction fights continue over the remaining unreleased materials.
Sources:
Ex-police chief says Trump told him ‘thank goodness you’re stopping’ Epstein in 2000s – ABC News
Relationship of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein – Wikipedia
