Book claims Trump barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after financier hit on member’s teen daughter

A new book written by a group of Miami Herald journalists claims that President Trump barred disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein from his private club in Palm Beach, Fla., years ago following an incident with another club member’s teenage daughter.

“The Grifter’s Club,” released Tuesday, asserts that Epstein was a member of Trump’s club until 2007, when he was banned for hitting on another member’s daughter. Co-author Nicholas Nehamas told the paper that records show Epstein’s account at the club was closed in October 2007.

Trump has previously referenced a falling out with Epstein, who was facing sex trafficking charges before he killed himself in prison last year. The president had said last year that he was “not a fan” of Epstein and “threw him out” of Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s longtime resort that now doubles as his official residence. The president also said they hadn’t spoken in 15 years.

One club member recounted that Trump “kicked Epstein out after Epstein harassed the daughter of a member. The way this person described it, such an act could irreparably harm the Trump brand, leaving Donald no choice but to remove Epstein,” Sarah Blaskey, an investigative reporter for the Herald and one of the co-authors of the book, told the newspaper. “The Trump Organization did not respond to our requests for comment on this or other matters.”

The president raised eyebrows recently when he commented on Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein’s who has been accused of helping recruit young girls who were sexually abused by the disgraced financier.

“I just wish her well, frankly,” Trump told reporters last month when asked about Maxwell.

He repeated this sentiment in an interview with Axios’s Jonathan Swan released Monday, saying “She’s now in jail. Yeah, I wish her well.” 

Trump tells #AxiosOnHBO that he stands by his comments wishing alleged child sex trafficker and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell well.

“I wish her well. I’d wish you well. I’d wish a lot of people well.” pic.twitter.com/1MRxyqzCLk

— Axios (@axios) August 4, 2020