Social media is ablaze in early January 2026 with sensational posts alleging secret meetings between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein on Lake Michigan, including claims of horrific crimes like infanticide and body disposal in the lake. The frenzy stems from a single document in the latest Epstein files released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in late December 2025.
The document in question is an unverified FBI tip submitted in 2020 by an anonymous woman from New Mexico. She claimed that in 1984, at age 13 and pregnant, she was sex-trafficked by her uncle and Epstein on a yacht originating from Mona Lake, Michigan. The complainant alleged her newborn was murdered by her uncle and the body dumped into Lake Michigan. She named Trump as a “witness,” stating he “participated regularly in paying money to force me to [redacted] with him” and was present during the alleged disposal.
However, the DOJ explicitly labeled this and similar claims as “untrue and sensationalist,” noting they were submitted just before the 2020 election. Fact-checkers, including Snopes, highlight major inconsistencies: Trump and Epstein reportedly did not meet until the late 1980s, years after the alleged 1984 incident. Neither had documented ties to the Mona Lake area at that time, and no corroborating evidence has emerged from investigations.
The White House and DOJ emphasize that President Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in Epstein-related probes. Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago in the early 2000s after concerns arose. Experts stress that raw FBI tips are not evidence but leads, often unsubstantiated.
While the Epstein releases continue to fuel speculation, this viral narrative appears rooted in a single debunked allegation rather than proven facts. Transparency advocates urge focusing on verified materials as more files are reviewed in 2026.
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