The newly released transcripts reveal extensive questioning about Ghislaine Maxwell’s relationships with powerful figures, including former and current presidents. Maxwell told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche that she may have first met President Trump in 1990 through her father, British publishing magnate Robert Maxwell, who was “friendly with him and liked him very much.” She described Trump as “always very cordial and very kind,” adding that she admired “his extraordinary achievement in becoming the President now.”
Regarding allegations that she recruited Virginia Giuffre from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, Maxwell claimed she “can’t ever recollect” doing so. This directly contradicts Giuffre’s testimony, who alleged Maxwell approached her while she worked at the resort in the early 2000s. Maxwell maintained she “never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way” and said she only saw Trump and Epstein together in social settings, never private ones.
The transcripts also detail Ghislaine’‘s relationship with former President Bill Clinton, whom she described as “my friend, not Epstein’s friend.” She noted attending Chelsea Clinton’s wedding with her then-boyfriend Ted Waitt and confirmed that Clinton flew on Epstein’s private plane but insisted he never visited Epstein’s private island or received massages during his time with the financier.
Prince Andrew Allegations Vehemently Denied
Ghislaine Maxwell”s most explosive statements concerned Prince Andrew and the allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, whose name appears to be redacted throughout the transcripts. When asked about Andrew’s relationship with the accuser, Maxwell responded with unusual vehemence, asking “what’s an even bigger word than bullshit?” She categorically denied ever setting up Andrew “to have relations with her or any other human being ever.”
Most controversially, Ghislaine claimed the famous photograph showing Prince Andrew with his arm around Giuffre, with Maxwell smiling in the background, was “fake.” This assertion directly challenges key evidence in the case that led to Andrew settling a lawsuit with Giuffre out of court. The photo has been central to allegations that Andrew sexually assaulted Giuffre as a minor after she traveled to London with Epstein.
Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus praised her cooperation in a statement on X, emphasizing that “Ms. Maxwell answered every question. She did not refuse to respond and did not dodge any question. She supported her answers with documents and other objective evidence.” The vehement denials regarding Prince Andrew represent some of Ghislaine’s strongest statements in the lengthy interview process.
Details of Maxwell-Epstein Relationship Revealed
The transcripts provide unprecedented insight into Maxwell’s personal and professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell told investigators she struck up a friendship with Epstein in 1991, with their sexual relationship beginning in 1992. She described it as a “misnomer” that she was consistently Epstein’s partner, claiming she was unaware of his other relationships until flight logs were released years later.
Ghislaine Maxwell’ revealed that despite their physical relationship ending by 1999, she continued receiving payments from Epstein. Starting at $25,000 annually in 1992, her compensation eventually reached $250,000 per year by 2009. Between 2010 and Epstein’s death in 2019, Maxwell characterized their relationship as “almost nonexistent,” though they maintained occasional contact through phone calls and emails.
The convicted sex trafficker acknowledged helping Epstein find people to give him massages but insisted she met them at “legitimate spas” and believed none were under 18. She claimed it “never would cross my mind” that these individuals would be asked to perform sexual favors, despite prosecutors successfully arguing she played a crucial role in Epstein’s trafficking operation.
Conspiracy Theories and Epstein’s Death Addressed
Maxwell directly addressed widespread speculation about Epstein’s death and alleged “client lists” during her extensive interview. She firmly stated there is “no list,” referring to conspiracy theories about Epstein maintaining records of clients who engaged in sexual activity with minors on his properties. This denial comes despite ongoing public fascination with potential evidence that might implicate other high-profile individuals.
Regarding Epstein’s death in federal custody in 2019, Maxwell expressed skepticism about the official suicide ruling but stopped short of endorsing murder theories. She speculated that if Epstein was killed, it was likely “an internal situation” within the prison system, noting that “somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary.” However, she dismissed the idea that powerful external forces orchestrated his death to prevent revelations.
Maxwell argued that if someone wanted Epstein dead to protect secrets, “they would’ve had plenty of opportunity when he wasn’t in jail.” She suggested that concerns about blackmail would have made Epstein “a very easy target” outside prison walls, undermining theories about a coordinated coverup. These statements provide Maxwell’s most detailed public comments on the circumstances surrounding her former associate’s death.
Legal Strategy and Supreme Court Appeal
The interview was conducted under specific immunity arrangements that highlight Ghislaine”s precarious legal position while serving her 20-year sentence. Deputy Attorney General Blanche made clear at the outset that the interview was not part of a “cooperation deal” and that Maxwell had immunity only for statements made during their conversations. The government retained the right to prosecute her for false statements, and Blanche made no promises about seeking leniency from the sentencing judge.
Ghislaine’s cooperation comes as she pursues a Supreme Court appeal of her conviction, arguing she should be covered by a non-prosecution agreement that federal prosecutors made with Epstein nearly two decades ago. That controversial 2008 deal allowed Epstein to plead guilty to prostitution charges in state court while avoiding federal prosecution, and Maxwell claims she’s protected under a clause covering “any potential co-conspirators.”
The release of these transcripts, along with thousands of pages of additional Epstein case files to the House Oversight Committee, represents the Trump administration’s response to criticism over handling the case’s aftermath. The Justice Department also released audio recordings of the Maxwell-Blanche conversations, providing the public with unprecedented access to the convicted trafficker’s account of events. Maxwell’s legal team expressed gratitude for the transparency while maintaining her innocence and emphasizing her complete cooperation with investigators
