During a closed-door meeting in Scotland on July 28, 2025, President Donald Trump sparked immediate tension among U.K. officials when he unexpectedly shifted the discussion to the long-running Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Standing alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior leaders, the President directly addressed questions about his own connection to Epstein and used the moment to publicly identify several high-profile Democratic figures.
In front of the assembled delegation, Trump declared, “I never went [to Epstein’s island]. And Bill Clinton went there supposedly 28 times. I never went to the island, but Larry Summers, I hear, went there… and many other very big people. Nobody ever talks about them.” The statement drew a visible reaction from those present, as the President introduced names not previously highlighted during the day’s diplomatic discussions.
Trump also revisited his personal history with Epstein, recounting interactions from years earlier. He insisted that their association ended abruptly in the early 2000s after Epstein allegedly attempted to approach members of Trump’s staff. “I threw him out—persona non grata,” the President said, describing what he characterized as a decisive break in their acquaintance.
As questions continued, the President addressed another topic tied to circulating claims online — a supposed drawing he was rumored to have sent to Epstein. Trump dismissed that allegation outright, stating, “I don’t do drawings of women—that I can tell you.”
His remarks broadened further when he described the extensive public attention surrounding the Epstein case as “a hoax blown out of proportion.” When asked about Ghislaine Maxwell’s ongoing legal proceedings, the President avoided commenting on the possibility of a pardon, saying it would be “inappropriate” to address such matters during the current stage of her legal challenges.
The exchange left U.K. officials and observers struck by the abrupt pivot toward one of the most controversial cases involving political, financial, and international figures. For some in attendance, the remarks introduced an unexpected level of tension into what had been scheduled as a routine diplomatic meeting.
The fallout — and the broader debate triggered by the President’s comments — continued to escalate when reactions began to pour in back in the United States.
