Trump Thanked Police for Epstein Investigation
In the mid-2000s, President Donald Trump reached out to the Palm Beach, Florida police department to express his gratitude for their efforts in investigating Jeffrey Epstein. He also cautioned them to keep their attention on Ghislaine Maxwell, who he referred to as “evil,” according to an FBI document that summarizes interviews with past local police chiefs.
Trump’s call to the Palm Beach Police Department (PBPD) reportedly included a statement where he said, “I’m glad you stopped him; we all knew he was doing this.” This information came to light in a 2019 interview conducted with former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter.
Reiter, who held the position from 2001 to 2009, had his name redacted from the FBI documents that were made public by the Justice Department. However, it was confirmed by the Justice Department itself. The documents indicate that Trump was interviewed by the FBI in 2019, and he made the phone call about Epstein in July 2006.
Fox News Digital reached out to Reiter and his crisis management firm on Tuesday morning, but he chose not to comment on the matter.
Pressure on Pam Bondi
In related news, an Epstein victim is using a Super Bowl commercial to urge Pam Bondi regarding her handling of withheld files.
The FBI documents are part of a massive release from the Department of Justice following Trump’s signing of the Epstein File Transparency Act in late 2025. The latest release occurred on January 30th.
The Palm Beach police began their investigation into Epstein in 2005 after receiving a tip from a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly a victim of sexual abuse. This led to further allegations and ultimately brought Reiter into the case.
Furthermore, an FBI document recounted Trump’s remarks about Maxwell, whom he labeled a “bad person.” He emphasized a need for law enforcement to “focus on her.” The document details that Trump stated he recognized how the people of New York found Epstein disgusting. He also claimed that he distanced himself from Epstein when the association with teens became apparent but did not provide specifics.
Fox News Digital has also reached out to the White House and the Justice Department for comments about the phone call and the FBI documents but has not yet received a response.
Trump’s Stance on Epstein
Trump has previously insisted that he expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago resort as rumors about Epstein’s misconduct circulated in the 2000s. In Reiter’s FBI interview, it was confirmed that Trump stated he cut ties with Epstein during that time.
“Mar-a-Lago is a mixture of all kinds of people,” stated the FBI document, reflecting Trump’s description in the interview. The report reiterated Trump’s claim that he dismissed Epstein from the club.
Epstein’s Background
Jeffrey Epstein was a well-connected financier associated with numerous celebrities and billionaires. He faced serious legal issues, including a conviction for sex trafficking minors in 2008, which resulted in a highly criticized plea deal that allowed for his early release. He was arrested again on similar charges in 2019 and was later found dead in a Manhattan jail.
The FBI interview with Reiter occurred just two months after Epstein’s death. Additionally, Trump signed a bill in November 2025 that mandates the Justice Department to publicly release documents related to convicted sex offenders. Since then, the Department of Justice has gradually released some of these documents.
