Washington, D.C. – A New York Times report has reignited controversy over President Donald Trump’s historical ties to Jeffrey Epstein, detailing a previously reported Mar-a-Lago party in the 1990s where Epstein was the sole guest alongside Trump and a group of “young women” for a “calendar girl competition.”
The anecdote, part of a broader examination of their nearly 15-year social relationship, comes as Trump faces mounting pressure from Republicans, Democrats, and his own supporters to release all Epstein-related files, a promise he made during his 2024 campaign but has yet to fully deliver.
The report follows a contentious Wall Street Journal article alleging Trump sent Epstein a suggestive birthday letter in 2003, prompting a high-profile lawsuit from the president.
The Mar-a-Lago Party Revelation
Titled “Inside the Long Friendship Between Trump and Epstein,” the New York Times piece revisits the duo’s documented interactions in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, spanning from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, before a falling-out preceded Epstein’s 2006 arrest.
A striking detail recounts a party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, organized by Florida businessman George Houraney, described as a “calendar girl competition” featuring young women. Houraney, quoted in a 2019 interview with the Times, expressed surprise at the guest list, recalling, “I said, ‘Donald, this is supposed to be a party with V.I.P.s. You’re telling me it’s you and Epstein?’”
While the report does not allege wrongdoing at the event, the image of Trump and Epstein as the only notable attendees has fueled speculation, particularly given Epstein’s later convictions for sex trafficking minors. Trump has consistently distanced himself from Epstein, stating in July 2025 that he “kicked him out” of Mar-a-Lago for being a “creep” and claiming their relationship ended long before Epstein’s legal troubles.
Intensifying Pressure for Epstein Files
The Times report lands amid growing demands for transparency in the Epstein case. Trump pledged during his 2024 campaign to release all related documents, but the administration’s limited disclosures—most recently a 33,000-page document dump on August 29, 2025, deemed “redundant” by critics—have frustrated both his MAGA base and bipartisan lawmakers.
A July 7 Department of Justice memo, which found “no evidence” of an Epstein “client list” or blackmail and halted further public releases, sparked accusations of a cover-up and amplified calls for unredacted files, especially after JD Vance’s failed attempt to pin it on Democrats.
Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion in New York federal court to release grand jury transcripts tied to Epstein’s 2000s Florida case and Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial, citing “public interest.”
The move follows a July 24-25 meeting where Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, spoke with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche under limited immunity. Legal experts caution that grand jury secrecy rules may limit the scope of any release, potentially excluding critical evidence like witness interviews or videos.
Trump’s Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal
The Times piece follows a July 17 Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump sent Epstein a 2003 birthday letter with a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman and suggestive text, part of a collection curated by Maxwell.
Trump denied the letter’s authenticity, calling it a “fake” and filing a $10 billion defamation lawsuit on July 18 against the Journal, News Corp, owner Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters. In Truth Social posts, Trump accused the paper of “malicious” reporting, claiming he warned Murdoch and editor Emma Tucker against publication. The suit, filed in Miami’s federal court, alleges the Journal ignored evidence of the letter’s falsity, though the outlet stands by its reporting.
The dueling narratives—Trump’s denials and media accounts of their past have deepened public skepticism. A recent YouGov poll shows 60% of Americans, including 40% of Republicans, believe the letter could be real, while 79% suspect an Epstein cover-up. The controversy has energized both critics and supporters, with figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene backing Trump’s push for grand jury releases, while Democrats like Sen. Cory Booker demand broader accountability.
Context of Trump-Epstein Ties
Trump and Epstein’s social history is well-documented, with photos, videos, and a 2002 New York magazine quote where Trump called Epstein a “terrific guy” who liked “beautiful women… on the younger side.” The two lived two miles apart in Palm Beach—Trump at Mar-a-Lago since 1985, Epstein at his estate since 1990.
While no evidence ties Trump to Epstein’s crimes, accounts like the Mar-a-Lago party and a 2016 Buzzfeed report of Trump entering Miss Teen USA changing rooms in 1997 have kept their association under scrutiny.
The Times report, drawing on Houraney’s 2019 recollections, shows the exclusivity of their social circle at the time. Houraney’s surprise at Epstein’s sole presence suggests an intimacy that contrasts with Trump’s narrative of a distant acquaintance. Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea to soliciting prostitution and a minor in Florida, followed by his 2019 arrest and death in custody, have only intensified questions about his high-profile connections.
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Why It Matters
The renewed focus on Trump’s Epstein ties comes at a politically fraught moment. Congressional efforts, including an August 19 House Oversight Committee subpoena for DOJ records, and a bipartisan press conference with Epstein victims on September 3, signal escalating pressure.
Public discourse on X reflects deep division, with hashtags like #ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles trending alongside defenses from Trump allies like Laura Loomer, who dismiss the Times and Journal reports as “fake news.”
The administration’s partial releases, 341 pages in February and 33,000 in August, have failed to satisfy critics, who argue redactions protect powerful figures. With over 1,000 confirmed Epstein victims, including Palm Beach survivor “Jane” who met Trump at Mar-a-Lago at 14, the human toll fuels demands for transparency.
Democrats like Rep. Sean Casten have called the reports “disgusting but unsurprising,” while tech reporter Kara Swisher told CNN the controversy will persist until Trump releases substantive files.
What Next?
As Bondi’s motion awaits a judicial ruling, the Miami lawsuit against the Journal progresses, with discovery potentially shedding light on the disputed letter. The Epstein case remains a flashpoint, testing Trump’s credibility and GOP unity ahead of the 2026 midterms. Polls show 66% of voters, including 47% of Republicans, want Congress to press for more information.
Whether the grand jury transcripts or further congressional action will deliver clarity remains uncertain. For now, the Mar-a-Lago party anecdote and Trump’s legal battles ensure the Epstein saga continues to shape narratives, raising questions about accountability and the past of a president under relentless scrutiny.
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