Fact Check: Donald Trump considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell to protect secrets about Jeffrey Epstein.

Fact Check: "Donald Trump considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell to protect secrets about Jeffrey Epstein."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that former President Donald Trump indeed considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted for her role in facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operations. According to journalist and Trump biographer Michael Wolff, Trump became "very wary" after Maxwell's arrest in July 2020, questioning what information she might disclose about their past association. Wolff stated that Trump asked, “What could she say—what would she say?” and pondered whether he should pardon her (source-2, source-3).

Trump's friendship with Epstein dates back to the 1980s, and he has been quoted in the past expressing a positive view of Epstein (source-2). However, he has also claimed to have distanced himself from Epstein long before the latter's arrest in 2019. Despite the discussions around a potential pardon, it ultimately did not occur, and Trump’s inner circle reportedly expressed concerns about the implications of such an action (source-3).

Analysis

The claim that Trump considered pardoning Maxwell is supported by multiple credible sources, primarily stemming from Michael Wolff's insights. Wolff is a well-known journalist with a history of writing about Trump, and while he has faced criticism regarding the accuracy of his portrayals, his statements are corroborated by other reports (source-4, source-5).

The context of Trump's relationship with Epstein adds weight to the claim. Trump has publicly acknowledged his past friendship with Epstein, which lends credibility to the idea that he might have been concerned about potential revelations from Maxwell. However, Wolff's characterization of Trump's motivations and the discussions within his inner circle should be approached with caution, as they are based on his interpretation of events rather than direct evidence.

Furthermore, Trump's communications director dismissed Wolff's claims, labeling him as unreliable. This response highlights the contentious nature of reporting on Trump, where sources can be viewed through a lens of bias depending on political affiliations (source-3). Nevertheless, the convergence of reports from various outlets reinforces the assertion that Trump did indeed contemplate a pardon for Maxwell.

Conclusion

The evidence supports the claim that Donald Trump considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, motivated by concerns over what she might reveal regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. While the discussions did not culminate in an actual pardon, the context and corroborating reports lend credibility to the assertion. Therefore, the verdict is True.

Fact Check: Donald Trump considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell to protect secrets about Jeffrey Epstein.