Newly Unearthed Photos and Video Reveal Trump’s Long-Standing Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
CNN’s KFile investigation sheds new light on the depth and duration of a controversial relationship once dismissed as distant.
Epstein Confirmed at Trump’s 1993 Wedding
A recently surfaced cache of archival photos and video footage confirms that Jeffrey Epstein attended Donald Trump’s December 1993 wedding to Marla Maples at New York’s Plaza Hotel, an event previously unlinked to the now deceased financier and convicted sex offender. The images, uncovered by CNN’s KFile investigative team, include one that captures Epstein entering the venue and another that places him among guests like Howard Stern, Robin Leach, and model Cecilia Nord, appearing in the background of a group shot. Photographer Dafydd Jones, who was on assignment to cover the wedding, confirmed the authenticity of the images. In a recent CNN interview, he recalled:
“I must have recognized him going in. I wish now I took more of him with Trump.”
Jones also photographed Trump and Epstein together two months earlier at the opening of the Harley Davidson Café in New York City.
Epstein and Trump Seen Together at Multiple Events
CNN also released archival video from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion show, where Trump and Epstein are seen laughing and chatting ahead of the runway event. Getty Images has separate photos from a 1997 Victoria’s Secret party also showing the two men together. These events tie Epstein back to Leslie Wexner, the billionaire behind Victoria’s Secret, whose finances Epstein managed for nearly two decades. The footage and images predate Epstein’s 2005 arrest on child sex abuse charges and highlight his regular appearance at elite gatherings hosted by or involving Trump.
In a 2002 New York Magazine profile titled “Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery”, Trump said:
“I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
Trump Campaign Responds With Denial and Legal Action
When asked by CNN to comment on the wedding photos, Trump abruptly ended the call after saying:
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He then repeatedly called CNN “fake news.”
In a formal response, Trump 2024 Communications Director Steven Cheung stated:
“These are nothing more than out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious.”
“The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep.”
Trump has previously claimed to have banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, though no documentation has been produced to verify this. Trump has also denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities, and no law enforcement agency has accused Trump of any crime related to Epstein.
History of Association and Flight Logs
Despite efforts to distance himself, records and visual documentation show a consistent pattern of social overlap between Trump and Epstein throughout the 1980s and 1990s. According to flight logs, Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times between Palm Beach and New York. Additionally, a Palm Beach Post photo from 2000 shows Trump with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Prince Andrew at a Mar-a-Lago charity fundraiser. Trump also referenced a man named “the mysterious Jeffrey” in his 2004 book Trump: How to Get Rich.
“As mysterious as Jeffrey is, he’s one of the few people I know who can get by on just a first name,” Trump wrote.
Controversial Birthday Message and New Lawsuit
In a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, a 2003 birthday greeting allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein included a typed message and a drawing of a nude woman. The letter concluded:
“Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump has denied authoring the note, calling the claim false and defamatory. On Friday, Trump filed a libel lawsuit in federal court in Florida against Dow Jones & Company, News Corp, and the Wall Street Journal, seeking $10 billion in damages.
Justice Department Under Pressure Over Epstein Files
These revelations come as pressure builds on the Department of Justice to release long-promised Epstein-related documents, including grand jury materials from the Ghislaine Maxwell case. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking minors. The DOJ recently confirmed it has initiated discussions with Maxwell’s legal team, prompting speculation over possible new testimony or sealed information. Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, stated:
“Ghislaine will always testify truthfully. We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.”
This quote, included in CNN’s coverage, is already sparking controversy — with critics pointing out its contradiction to Trump’s current public stance.
Conclusion: Past Ties Reemerge in the Spotlight
While no direct legal link has been established between Trump and Epstein’s crimes, the accumulation of photographic, video, and written records make it increasingly difficult for Trump to claim his relationship with Epstein was minor or irrelevant. As calls for transparency grow louder — and as lawsuits and potential testimony from Maxwell loom, the story is far from over. What’s clear is that Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Epstein are being undercut by a paper trail and photo archive that refuses to fade.
