Donald Trump expressed sympathy for the Royal Family after Prince Andrew was stripped of his titles. During a press briefing on Air Force One, the US president commented on the King’s decision to revoke his brother’s peerages in light of new revelations concerning his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump described the situation as “terrible” for the family, acknowledging the tragedy of the circumstances. The King’s action came after the posthumous release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim, who accused Andrew of sexual assault. Despite a legal settlement in 2021, where Andrew denied any wrongdoing, his titles as Prince and Duke of York were rescinded.
Giuffre, who passed away recently, alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell as a teenager, claiming she was coerced into having relations with Andrew on multiple occasions – allegations he vehemently denies. Her family commended the King’s decision, applauding Giuffre’s courage in bringing down a British prince.
Trump, who has faced his own scrutiny regarding ties to Epstein, downplayed their association following Epstein’s death in 2019. Despite previous interactions and photos with Mountbatten-Windsor, Trump distanced himself from Epstein’s actions, citing ignorance of the financier’s criminal activities.
Giuffre’s brother called on Trump to follow the King’s lead by releasing long-awaited legal documents related to Epstein. Trump’s past friendship with Epstein was acknowledged, with Trump once praising Epstein publicly. However, their relationship reportedly soured over personnel issues, including Epstein hiring staff from Trump’s establishment, leading to a fallout between the two.
As demands persist for the disclosure of Epstein files, Trump has dismissed the issue as a political ploy, labeling it a “Democrat hoax.” Despite providing thousands of pages of documents, Trump insisted the focus should be on the nation’s achievements under his presidency rather than revisiting past controversies.