Trump told ex-police chief 'everyone' knew about Epstein's behaviour, FBI file says

Newly released FBI documents from 2006 reveal that Donald Trump informed a former Palm Beach police chief that everyone in the Florida community was aware of Jeffrey Epstein’s behavior, providing significant early insight into the disgraced financier's social reputation. During the initial investigation into Epstein's conduct nearly two decades ago, Mr. Trump reportedly spoke with Michael Reiter, then the head of the Palm Beach Police Department, regarding the billionaire’s activities at his private estate. This revelation, surfaced through federal files, highlights the extent to which local elites and business leaders were cognizant of the allegations surrounding Epstein long before his 2008 conviction and subsequent 2019 arrest. The documents detail a conversation between Mr. Trump and Chief Reiter, in which the future president suggested that Epstein’s proclivities were an open secret among the wealthy residents of Palm Beach. According to the federal record, Trump characterized Epstein’s actions not as isolated incidents but as behavior that was widely discussed within their shared social circles. This information was gathered as part of the FBI's peripheral inquiries into Epstein's network following the first wave of criminal complaints involving underage girls at his Florida mansion. While the FBI file does not suggest that Mr. Trump possessed specific evidence of a crime at the time, it underscores the systemic failure of authorities and high-society figures to act on the widely known rumors for several years. The report adds another layer to the complex history between the two men, who were frequently seen together in the 1990s and early 2000s. These unsealed files continue to be scrutinized by legal experts and the public as investigators seek to map out the full scope of Jeffrey Epstein’s illicit operations and the degree to which his associates were aware of his predatory actions.