Trump Told Palm Beach Chief 'Everyone Has Known' About Epstein, FBI Record Says
A 2019 FBI interview summary shows Trump called Palm Beach police in July 2006 saying 'everyone has known he's been doing this,' records show.
Overview
A 2019 FBI 302 summary says President Donald Trump called then-Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter in July 2006 and said, "Thank goodness you're stopping him; everyone has known he's been doing this," according to Department of Justice records.
The interview was disclosed in a Jan. 30, 2026 tranche of files released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, renewing congressional and media scrutiny about what Trump knew and when, DOJ records show.
A Justice Department official said they were "not aware of any corroborating evidence that the President contacted law enforcement 20 years ago," disputing the FBI interview summary's implications.
Former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter confirmed to the Miami Herald that he spoke with FBI agents in 2019 and recalled a July 2006 conversation with Trump, saying Trump urged attention on Ghislaine Maxwell.
The release prompted divided responses on Capitol Hill and from Trump allies, and congressional committees have signaled plans to review the newly released materials for further leads, officials confirmed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by foregrounding an ex-police chief's allegation that Trump said 'everyone' knew about Epstein, using evaluative terms ('disgraced financier') and implication ('likely to raise further questions'). They include denials and a spokeswoman's quote, but lead placement and emphasis on social ties and photographs amplifies doubts about what Trump knew.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Trump called Reiter in July 2006 and said, 'Thank goodness you're stopping him; everyone has known he's been doing this,' referring to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump said he threw Epstein out of his club after seeing teenagers present, that people in New York knew Epstein was disgusting, and urged focus on Maxwell as Epstein's 'evil' operative.[2]
A Justice Department official stated they were 'not aware of any corroborating evidence' that Trump contacted law enforcement 20 years ago, disputing the FBI summary's implications.
In 2005-2006, Palm Beach Police under Reiter investigated Epstein for recruiting underage girls as young as 14 for sexual massages, leading to a state indictment, but Reiter referred it to the FBI dissatisfied with the outcome.
The 2019 FBI 302 summary of Reiter's interview was disclosed in a January 30, 2026 tranche of files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
History
3 sources