President Donald Trump faced questions about possibly pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell as he prepared to leave the White House for Scotland on Friday morning. The questions came during a brief exchange with reporters before his departure.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. She was convicted in 2022 for recruiting and grooming teenage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
When a reporter asked if he would consider a pardon or commutation for Maxwell, Trump responded that it was something he had not thought about. He then added, “I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I haven’t thought about.” This response has sparked debate about whether the president is actually considering such a move.
Recent meetings raise questions about potential pardon deal
The Justice Department recently held what experts are calling an unusual meeting with Maxwell. Former federal prosecutor Nick Akerman described the government’s decision to interview Maxwell as “extremely unusual.” He suggested the move might be an attempt to secure a pardon for Maxwell in exchange for her saying that Trump was not involved in the Epstein case. This becomes more significant given reports that Trump’s name does appear in the Epstein files.
This meeting comes as the Trump administration continues to face pressure over the release of Epstein-related documents, especially given Trump’s previous promises to expose Epstein’s secrets. The interview with Maxwell appears to be another attempt by officials to address public anger over the ongoing controversy surrounding the case.
Author Michael Wolff has claimed that Trump previously considered pardoning Maxwell when it became clear she would face trial on sex trafficking charges. According to Wolff, Trump thought about using his presidential powers to help Maxwell during his previous term in office. However, sources close to the current administration strongly deny any plans for a pardon.
Senior Trump officials have told reporters that there have been no discussions about pardoning Maxwell and that such considerations will never happen. However, Trump has been coaching GOP members to dodge Epstein questions, suggesting the topic remains a sensitive political issue. One source described the chances of a Maxwell pardon as having no possibility of occurring. Despite these official denials, Trump’s Friday comments have renewed speculation about his intentions regarding Maxwell’s case.
Published: Jul 25, 2025 10:39 am