In July 2024, as the presidential election gained momentum, an infamous photo of former U.S. President Donald Trump — at the time, best known as a real estate developer — and financier Jeffrey Epstein — who was later charged with sex-trafficking underage girls — circulated again online. On this occasion, it was in the context of Elon Musk's relationship with Trump.
The photo, taken on Jan. 1, 1997, authentically depicts Trump and Epstein. It was not AI-generated or otherwise digitally altered. The photo can be found on
Portrait of American financier Jeffrey Epstein (left) and real estate developer Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 1997. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)
The relationship between Trump and Epstein has long been the focus of intense scrutiny, given they shared a social circle in both New York and Florida.
"I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy," Trump is famously quoted as saying of Epstein in an interview for New York Magazine in 2002. "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. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life."
Another photo, taken on Feb. 12, 2000, authentically depicts (from left to right) Trump, his future wife Melania Trump (Melania Knavs at the time), Epstein, and his longtime partner Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of sex-trafficking underage girls.
That picture can also be found on
Trump, Knauss, Epstein, & Maxwell At Mar-A-Lago
From left, American real estate developer Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
However, following Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex offenses and new charges for sex trafficking, and Trump's foray into politics, the friendship apparently waned.
On July 9, 2019, the day after Epstein appeared in court for the second time on charges of sexual abuse of underage girls, Trump told reporters: "I had a falling out a long time ago with him. I don't think I've spoken to him in 15 years." He continued: "I was not a fan of his." Epstein hanged himself in jail while awaiting trial on the sex-trafficking charges.
We've previously reported on other images depicting the two men, including one that was AI-generated and another that was doctored.