• Trump states he turned down an invitation to Epstein's infamous island.
• He claims Epstein "stole people" from his employ, leading to their fallout.
• Trump's comments sparked backlash on social media, particularly over his use of the word "privilege."
• He attempts to shift the focus to other prominent individuals connected to Epstein.
• Pressure mounts for clarity on his past relationship with Epstein amid ongoing investigations.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently addressed his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, asserting he “never had the privilege” of visiting Epstein’s private island. During a meeting in Scotland, he expressed the importance of turning down such invitations, which he called "one of my very good moments." Trump highlighted that he had cut ties with Epstein because the financier was "stealing people" who worked for him, a pattern he found unacceptable, according to India Times, South China Morning Post, and The Hill.

Trump's remarks about never visiting the island were met with significant backlash on social media, with critics mocking his use of the term "privilege" in this context. They highlighted the seriousness of Epstein's criminal activities, including the trafficking of minors, and questioned the appropriateness of Trump's comments, as he failed to appear to recognize the gravity of the situation. One user emphasized the contradiction in referring to a trip to Epstein's island as a "privilege," according to India Times and South China Morning Post.

In further attempts to distance himself from Epstein, Trump pointed out that other high-profile individuals, including former President Bill Clinton, have faced scrutiny for their connections to Epstein. Trump noted, "I never went to the island, but many others were invited," aiming to redirect attention to these notable figures. However, this strategy has not fully shielded him from questions about his past interactions with Epstein, which included traveling on his private plane multiple times, according to The Hill and India Times.