In a significant development in the Jeffrey Epstein case, the Justice Department on Friday released a transcript of a recent interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In the interview, Maxwell defended Donald Trump, saying he was “a gentleman in all respects” and was “never inappropriate with anybody.”
The transcripts and audio recordings of the two-day interview, conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, were released in the “interest of transparency.” This move follows intense public pressure and a congressional subpoena for the so-called “Epstein files” from the House of Representatives.
During the interview, Maxwell stated that while Trump and Epstein were “friendly,” they were not “close friends.” She also addressed some of the most persistent conspiracy theories surrounding the case, asserting that she does not believe Epstein kept a “client list” or used it to blackmail prominent figures.
In a statement that directly contradicts the official ruling by the FBI and Justice Department, Maxwell reiterated her long-held belief that Jeffrey Epstein did not die by suicide in his jail cell. Following the interview, the 63-year-old was transferred from a prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas, though the reason for the transfer has not been officially explained.
Maxwell’s lawyer, David Markus, continues to maintain her innocence, claiming she was a “scapegoat after Jeffrey Epstein died in prison.”