A explosive New York Times investigation published on December 18, 2025, titled “‘Don’s Best Friend’: How Epstein and Trump Bonded Over the Pursuit of Women,” has thrust President-elect Donald Trump back into the spotlight over his decades-long association with Jeffrey Epstein. Drawing on interviews with more than 30 former Epstein employees, abuse victims, and associates, plus newly obtained documents, the report paints a vivid picture of an intense friendship rooted in shared pursuits of women, ego, and dominance.
The Times details how Trump and Epstein socialized extensively in the 1990s and early 2000s, attending parties in New York and Palm Beach, flying together on Epstein’s private jet, and bonding over their reputations as playboys. Trump famously called Epstein a “terrific guy” in a 2002 interview, noting he liked “beautiful women… on the younger side.” The exposé reveals contradictory statements from Trump over the years—alternating between downplaying the relationship as mere acquaintanceship and admitting they were close before a mid-2000s fallout, reportedly over Epstein poaching staff from Mar-a-Lago.
No evidence in the report implicates Trump in Epstein’s criminal activities, but it underscores how their overlapping worlds raised persistent questions about judgment and proximity to abuse. Victims recounted encounters where Epstein referenced Trump, and former staff described the two men as competitive in their pursuits.
Timing amplifies the bombshell: The article coincides with ongoing Justice Department releases of Epstein files under the Transparency Act. Recent batches, including a major December 23 drop of nearly 30,000 pages, revealed hundreds of Trump mentions—far more than initial releases. Key disclosures include a 2020 prosecutor email noting Trump flew on Epstein’s jet at least eight times from 1993-1996 (some with Ghislaine Maxwell aboard), and subpoenas to Mar-a-Lago. The DOJ labeled some claims “untrue and sensationalist,” while announcing over a million additional documents discovered, delaying full release.
Trump has dismissed scrutiny as a “Democrat hoax,” stayed largely silent on the exposé, and focused on Democrats’ Epstein ties. Allies defend the pre-fallout friendship as commonplace in elite circles, insisting Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago upon learning of his behavior.
As Trump prepares for inauguration, the revived narrative—fueled by media and impending files—risks complicating his transition. Victims’ advocates demand accountability beyond social ties, while supporters view it as recycled attacks. With more documents looming, the Epstein shadow over Trump’s past shows no sign of fading, forcing him to navigate fresh revelations in a polarized landscape.
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