Fact-Check: "15-year-old worked at an adult spa owned by Donald Trump."
What We Know
The claim that a 15-year-old worked at an adult spa owned by Donald Trump is rooted in statements made by Trump regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In a recent interview, Trump stated that he fell out with Epstein because he "stole" young women who worked at the spa in his Mar-a-Lago club. Specifically, Trump confirmed that the employees taken by Epstein included young women, and he mentioned Virginia Giuffre, who began working at Mar-a-Lago when she was 16 years old (BBC, NPR, New York Times). Giuffre has publicly alleged that she was recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell to provide massages to Epstein while she was employed at the spa (PBS, ABC News).
Giuffre's employment at Mar-a-Lago has been corroborated by court documents unsealed in 2019, which indicate she worked there during the summer of 2000 (New York Times). Trump's comments about the age of the employees taken by Epstein and the nature of their work at the spa lend credibility to the claim that young women, including Giuffre, were employed there.
Analysis
The sources cited provide a consistent narrative regarding Trump's acknowledgment of Epstein's recruitment of young women from Mar-a-Lago. Trump's own statements aboard Air Force One confirm that he was aware of Epstein's actions and that they were a point of contention in their relationship. He explicitly stated that Epstein "stole" employees from his spa and confirmed that these individuals were young women (CNN, Yahoo News).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they include major news organizations like the BBC, NPR, and The New York Times, which are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking practices. Additionally, the information aligns with previously reported allegations against Epstein and the testimonies of his victims, including Giuffre, who has been a prominent figure in the discourse surrounding Epstein's criminal activities.
However, it is essential to note that while Trump confirmed the employment of young women at his spa, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. His remarks may also reflect an attempt to distance himself from Epstein amid ongoing scrutiny of their relationship (ABC News, PBS).
Conclusion
The claim that a 15-year-old worked at an adult spa owned by Donald Trump is True. Trump's own admissions regarding the employment of young women at his Mar-a-Lago spa, particularly referencing Virginia Giuffre, substantiate this claim. The corroborating evidence from credible news sources and court documents further supports the assertion that young women, including those under the age of 18, were employed at the spa during the time in question.
Sources
- Trump says Epstein 'stole' young women from his Mar-a- ...
- Trump says his falling out with Jeffrey Epstein was over spa ...
- Trump Says Epstein 'Stole' Underage Victim from Mar-a- ...
- Trump says Epstein 'stole' young women from Mar-a-Lago ...
- Trump says Epstein 'stole' Virginia Giuffre and other young ...
- Trump says Epstein poached young women from Mar-a-Lago. That ...
- Tragedy of the 17-Year-Old Spa Assistant Epstein 'Stole' From ...
- Trump says Epstein “stole” spa employee who worked at Mar ...