Donald Trump has bestowed his good wishes on Ghislaine Maxwell, who faces federal charges for allegedly enabling the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking of minor girls.

At a press conference ostensibly to discuss the coronavirus crisis gripping the US on Tuesday, Trump took questions from reporters, one of whom asked him about Maxwells recent arrest and whether she might implicate some of the powerful men who formed part of Epsteins jet set social circle.

I dont know I havent really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly, Trump responded. I have met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach. But I wish her well, whatever it is.

Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, was arrested this month and charged with conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and perjury.

Epstein was arrested last July and killed himself in federal jail in August. His death sparked a flurry of speculation about what he knew about the powerful figures from the worlds of politics, science and entertainment with whom he had frequently associated, including figures like Trump, Bill Clinton and Britains Prince Andrew.

In the early 90s, Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of British media tycoon Robert Maxwell, met investment banker and financier Jeffrey Epstein. Their relationship was initially romantic, but it evolved into something more akin to that of Maxwell being a close friend, confidante and personal assistant.

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, was reportedly introduced to Epstein through their mutual friend Maxwell in 1999, and Epstein reportedly visited the Queens private retreat in Aberdeenshire.

Some have suggested the introduction was made earlier. A 2011letter to the Times of Londonfrom the princes then private secretary, Alastair Watson, suggests Andrew and Epstein knew each other from the early 90s.

Andrew, Maxwell and Epstein are seen together at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Later that year, Epstein and Maxwell attend a joint birthday party at Windsor Castle hosted by the Queen.

Andrew and Epstein holiday together and are pictured on a yacht in Phuket, Thailand,surrounded by topless women. The Times of London reported the princes holiday was paid for by Epstein.

In the same year, Virginia Giuffre, then 17, claims to have had sex with Andrew in Maxwells home in Belgravia, London. Giuffre, whose surname was Roberts at the time of the alleged incidents, says she slept with Andrew twice more, at Epsteins New York home and at an orgy on his private island in the Caribbean.

Epstein is jailed for 18 months by a Floridastate court after pleading guilty to prostituting minors.

Soon after his release, Epstein is visited by Andrew in New York. The pair are photographed together in Central Park. Footage emerges years later, reportedly shot on 6 December, that appears to show Andrew inside Epsteins Manhattan mansion waving goodbye to a woman from behind a door.

Andrew quits his role as UK trade envoy following a furore over the Central Park photos.

Allegations that Andrew had sex with Giuffre emerge in court documents in Florida related to Epstein. The papers say she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which is under the age of consent under Florida law. Buckingham Palace denies the allegations. The claims against Andrew are later struck from US civil court records following a federal judges ruling.

Andrew is accused of sexual impropriety by a second alleged Epstein victim, Johanna Sjoberg. She claims he touched her breast at the billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001. Buckingham Palace says the allegations are 'categorically untrue'.

Epstein is found dead in his jail cell after being re-arrested and charged with sex trafficking. A medical examiner says the death was a suicide.

A pilot on Epsteins private jet later that month claims Andrew was a passenger on past flights with the financier and Giuffre.

Andrew takes part in a disastrous BBC TV interview during which he claims he could not have hadsex with Giuffrebecause he was at home aftera visit to Pizza Express in Woking, and that her description of his dancing with her beforehand could not be true because he was unable to sweat, and that he had "no recollection of ever meeting this lady". After several days of negative reaction, Andrew announces he is to step back from public duties 'for the foreseeable future'.

US prosecutor Geoffrey Berman gives a public statement suggesting there has been 'zero cooperation' with the investigation from Andrew.

After Berman again claims the prince has 'completely shut the door' on cooperating with the US investigation in March, lawyers for Andrew insist he has repeatedly offered to cooperate and accuse US prosecutors of misleading the public and breaching confidentiality.

Maxwell, who has seldom been seen in public in recent years, is arrested by the FBIon charges related to Epstein.

Responding to the reporters question, Trump concluded by saying: I dont know the situation with Prince Andrew. Just dont know. Not aware of it.

Prince Andrew has categorically denied claims of sexual misconduct.

One picture taken at the Mar-a-Lago resort in February 2000 shows Trump and his now wife, Melania, with Maxwell and Epstein.

Maxwells trial date has been set for 12 July next year. The 58-year-old faces up to 35 years in federal prison if convicted of all six counts.

Maxwell has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Her lawyers have said she vigorously denies the charges and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Maxwell was arrested at a mansion in New Hampshire in an FBI raid that ended months of speculation about her whereabouts, fueled by rumors of sightings across America and overseas. Prosecutors have contended that she crafted a life in hiding, designed to evade the authorities, while her lawyers say she was in touch with authorities and merely keeping a low profile.

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Donald Trump on Ghislaine Maxwell: 'I wish her well' - The Guardian