The transcript of a previously sealed interview between senior U.S. Department of Justice official Todd Blanche and Ghislaine Maxwell has been made public for the first time, offering new insight into her views on figures linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking and other offences related to the late financier, spoke candidly about her connections to high-profile individuals, including former U.S. presidents and members of the British royal family.
During the interview, Maxwell told Blanche she had never witnessed Donald Trump in what she described as “any inappropriate setting in any way.” While acknowledging that Trump and Epstein appeared to know one another, she stressed her recollection of their interactions was limited to public occasions. “They seemed friendly,” she said, clarifying that she only ever saw the two men in “social settings” rather than in private.
On the subject of Prince Andrew, Maxwell dismissed long-standing allegations against him as “mind-blowingly not conceivable.” She referred specifically to the claims made by Virginia Giuffre, who accused the Duke of York of sexually abusing her when she was 17. Maxwell argued that the logistics of the alleged encounter could not have taken place in her home, citing the size and layout of the property as a factor. Giuffre, whose testimony had been central to public understanding of Epstein’s circle, died earlier this year.
The transcript also addressed speculation surrounding an alleged “Epstein client list.” Maxwell said she was unaware of such a list and insisted that neither she nor Epstein had used blackmail as leverage over influential figures. Her statement comes after both the FBI and the Department of Justice concluded that there was “no credible evidence” of blackmail operations linked to Epstein.
Maxwell further discussed her connection to former U.S. president Bill Clinton, who flew on Epstein’s private jet more than two dozen times. She described Clinton not as Epstein’s associate but as her personal friend. She emphasized that “no massage services were provided to him” during those trips, distancing the former president from the accusations that have shadowed others in Epstein’s orbit.
The release of the interview has renewed public interest in Maxwell’s ties to Epstein and the global web of powerful men associated with him. Since her conviction in 2021, Maxwell has remained a central figure in debates over accountability, privilege, and secrecy surrounding Epstein’s crimes. The transcript adds a rare, first-person perspective from Maxwell herself, though it is unlikely to quell speculation over the full extent of Epstein’s influence and the people who were part of his circle.
For the Department of Justice, the publication of the transcript is part of ongoing efforts to close the chapter on one of the most high-profile criminal cases of recent decades. While no further indictments have been announced in relation to Epstein’s network, the testimonies, investigations, and revelations continue to fuel legal challenges, media scrutiny, and public outrage.
As Maxwell continues her 20-year term, her remarks are likely to be dissected by both critics and defenders of those named in the transcript. The interview underscores the enduring complexity of the Epstein scandal, a case where allegations, denials, and reputational damage still ripple through political, legal, and royal institutions across the globe.