The world’s first true influencer Paris Hilton has finally spoken out on claims that she had fallen victim to convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, who worked as Jeffrey Epstein’s fixer for many years.
Hilton was forced to break her silence on the issue following the release of more than 20,000 emails relating to billionaire Epstein, which have revealed the scale of the late pedophile financier’s political and social connections – naming President Trump, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and Palantir CEO Peter Thiel.
But while the socialite and reality TV star does not appear to have been named, the fresh attention on the case has highlighted 2020 comments where she was grimly described by Maxwell as ‘perfect’ for Epstein when she was just 19.
At the time, Maxwell was scouring parties and even hanging around outside schools to find victims for her erstwhile boyfriend. In pictures from 2000, Maxwell can be seen grinning next to Hilton at a New York event, while the then-teenager spoke to Donald Trump.
Pictures of Donald Trump with Paris Hilton and Ghislaine Maxwell from 2000 resurfaced in 2020 (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
In a lengthy interview with the Sunday Times, the infamous party girl-turned-successful businesswoman brushed off any relationship with Epstein’s recruiter, saying: “I don’t even remember ever meeting her.”
Maxwell’s former acquaintance Christopher Mason first made the claim in 2020, describing how the now-convicted trafficker had stopped in her tracks when she saw Hilton at a party, exclaiming to a friend ‘Oh my god’ before remarking that the 19-year-old was ‘perfect for Jeffrey’ and asking for an introduction.
Around this time, when the hotel heiress was making a splash on the New York party scene, she was signed to Trump’s modelling agency, T Management.
Despite claiming to have voted for Trump in 2016, she later took back the comment, saying that she had made the claim because the president ‘was an old family friend and owned the first modelling agency I signed with’.
But this relationship would eventually collapse into fury.
Hilton signed to Trump’s modeling agency at the age of 19 (Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)
In her 2023 memoir, Hilton added: “When I left to go to another agency, he was furious and intimidated the shit out of me on the phone.”
Now 44 and a mother of two, Hilton has come a long way from the teenage tearaway whose antics as a young adult became the fodder of the tabloid press.
Reflecting on why her name was connected to Epstein, she explained to the Times that ‘I’m such a good clickbait name’, leading to her being linked to the dead pedophile’s social circle by the wider media.
But while Hilton rejected claims that she had associated with Maxwell or Epstein, she has not shied away from mentioning the role that sexual violence had played in her early life.
She described in her memoir how she had been drugged and raped by a man when she was just 15, before her parents sent her away to an extremely restrictive boarding school that left her suffering panic attacks for decades.
The socialite has previously opened up about the abuse she experienced in her early life (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
This violation continued into her early adult years, when her former boyfriend Rick Saloman, a man in his 30s, released a sex tape they had made when she was 19.
“Like, that would be illegal today,” she pointed out.
She went on to tell the Times: “People realise just how wrong it was. And that has also been healing for me, for people to be, like, wow, Paris was just a teenage girl being taken advantage of by this older guy.”
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
Featured Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The US justice department has made a big announcement about Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell after she appealed her conviction.
The Epstein case has been plunged back into the spotlight again in recent weeks following the Trump administration’s apparent U-turn on its intentions to release all the FBI files related the case.
The POTUS has since ordered the justice department to release all grand jury testimony in the late financier’s case, while Maxwell, the former on-and-off partner of Epstein, remains behind bars.
It was back in 2021 when Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years behind bars after a jury found her guilty of luring teenage girls for convicted sex offender Epstein.
A court four years ago found her guilty of sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
On top of that, Maxwell was found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Lawyers for Maxwell have long argued against her conviction, claiming she should have been covered by a non-prosecution agreement previously made between Epstein and the US government, ABC News reports.
Maxwell has made numerous attempts to secure a retrial in recent years, all of which have been denied by federal courts.
The Trump administration has made a major move (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In new developments, the US justice department has asked Maxwell for a meeting, officials have confirmed.
Confirming the news, Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, said: “President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence.
“If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.
“Therefore, at the direction of Attorney General Bondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department.
“I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days. Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.”
Trump told media in the Oval Office on Tuesday (July 22) that speaking to Maxwell ‘sounds appropriate to do’ after ordering some of the Epstein files to be released.
Ghislaine Maxwell has appealed her conviction (Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
David Oscar Markus, Maxwell’s attorney, has said: “I can confirm that we are in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully. We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.”
Last week, the Department of Justice urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Maxwell’s most recent appeal, despite the former socialite’s team stating their case.
“Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein,” her attorneys penned to SCOTUS back in April.
Featured Image Credit: Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty
The Donald Trump administration has made a major call on Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell after she appealed her child sex trafficking conviction.
The 63-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison after a jury found her guilty in 2021 of luring teenage girls for convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The former socialite was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to ABC, lawyers for Maxwell have argued against her conviction, claiming she should have been covered by a non-prosecution agreement previously made between Epstein and the US government.
Maxwell has made numerous attempts to secure a retrial in recent years, all of which have been denied by federal courts.
The Trump administration has made a major call on Ghislaine Maxwell (D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
The Department of Justice on Monday (July 14) urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Maxwell’s most recent appeal, despite the former socialite’s team stating their case.
“Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein,” her attorneys penned to SCOTUS back in April.
Following Monday’s verdict, David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Maxwell penned: “I’d be surprised if President Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal.
“He’s the ultimate dealmaker—and I’m sure he’d agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it.
“With all the talk about who’s being prosecuted and who isn’t, it’s especially unfair that Ghislaine Maxwell remains in prison based on a promise the government made and broke.”
Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffery Epstein pictured together in 2005 (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Sigrid McCawley, who represented hundreds of Epstein’s alleged victims, praised the call from the Trump administration and has said Maxwell should remain behind bars.
McCawley told ABC News: “After two-plus decades of recruiting and abusing young girls trapped in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking enterprise, Ghislaine Maxwell has again attempted to escape accountability by trying to hide behind the non-prosecution agreement.
“Maxwell does not deserve any protection, and she should remain in prison for the horrific crimes she committed.”
While the Supreme Court can go against DOJ advice, it appears unlikely with this case considering the number of appeals Maxwell has already had rejected.
Featured Image Credit: Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty
Ghislaine Maxwell has apparently discussed around 100 people in connection with Epstein, while Donald Trump discussed legal powers to pardon her.
The former partner of the late convicted pedophile and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been thrust into the spotlight again after she tried to appeal her own conviction.
Maxwell, who remains behind bars after being found guilty of child sex trafficking in connection with the disgraced fancier in 2021, has since sat down with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to share some information about an alleged 100 different people.
Speaking to Blanche from a courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, while the DOJ attempts to quash the public fallout of its handling of the Epstein files, Maxwell’s attorney said she was quizzed on dozens of people.
David Oscar Markus confirmed after the meeting on Thursday, Maxwell was asked about ‘100 different people’ in connection with financier, who died in his jail cell in 2019.
Trump and his wife, Melania, snapped with Epstein and Maxwell in 2000 (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)
Markus confirmed his client did not hold anything back, adding she was asked ‘every possible thing you could imagine – everything’, reports the Daily Beast.
The interview comes as the Trump administration is facing mounting calls to release the so-called Epstein files in full, due to theories it contains an alleged ‘client list’ containing the names of the rich, famous and powerful.
Five months on from suggesting the Epstein files were sitting on her desk, Attorney General Pam Bondi then said a client list never existed.
Bondi had said previously that there were no more files to release (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The DOJ also said no such list exists earlier this month, before adding it would not release any additional files related to the case.
The POTUS defended the move at the time, stating Bondi ‘handled it very well’ and that he trusts her judgement.
“[I]t’s going to be up to her whatever she thinks is credible, she should release,” Trump said amid the swirling criticism and doubling down that all ‘the credible information has been given’.
However, the Trump administration has appeared to make a U-turn on the matter this week, instead announcing intentions to release all the FBI files, including the grand jury testimony related to the case.
Trump also stunned viewers when he was asked this week if he would ever consider giving Maxwell a pardon or a commutation.
Trump said he hadn’t thought about giving Maxwell a pardon (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Speaking to a Fox News reporter, the president replied: “It’s something I haven’t thought about. It’s something – I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about.”
Dozens have since said it appeared Trump tried to brush off the question and pointed out he didn’t necessarily rule out giving her a presidential pardon.
“Not witness tampering at all! I just mentioned pardons for no reason! Look! Squirrel!” said one on Reddit.
A second suggested if Trump were to pardon Maxwell, it would be ‘another impeachable thing’.
Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years behind bars four years ago, after a jury found her guilty of luring teenage girls to Epstein.
She was also found guilty of sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Yet, her legal team have long argued against the conviction, claiming she should have been protected by a non-prosecution agreement previously made between Epstein and the US government.
All of her attempts to appeal for a retrial have been denied by the federal courts.
Featured Image Credit: Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty
Ghislaine Maxwell has made another bid to overturn her conviction, this time arguing that a so-called ‘Epstein loophole’ should have protected her.
The Jeffrey Epstein case has been plunged back into the spotlight again in recent weeks following the Trump administration’s apparent U-turn on its intentions to release all the FBI files related the case.
Specifically, it’s a rumored ‘client list’ that has been causing uproar, after the FBI earlier this month said no such list existed, despite apparent comments made by Trump and his Attorney General Pam Bondi seemingly alluding to it.
As Epstein’s accomplice Maxwell remains behind bars, the POTUS has ordered the justice department to release all grand jury testimony in Epstein’s case.
The convicted sex offender, who dated Maxwell on and off, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, New York City in August 2019.
The disgraced financier had been arrested earlier in the year and died by suicide aged 66 while awaiting trial for charges related to sex trafficking – charges to which he pleaded not guilty.
Epstein died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019 (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
What has Ghislaine Maxwell been convicted of?
Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years behind bars in 2022 after a jury found her guilty of luring teenage girls for convicted sex offender Epstein.
The jury found her guilty of sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The former socialite was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
“This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law and it is never too late for justice. We again express our gratitude to Epstein and Maxwell’s victims for their courage in coming forward, in testifying at trial, and in sharing their stories as part of today’s sentencing,” US Attorney Damian Williams said at the time.
Maxwell was convicted in 2022 (Metropolitan Detention Center)
What is the Epstein ‘loophole’?
In a filing issued on Monday (July 28), Maxwell asked the Supreme Court to overturn her sex trafficking conviction, citing a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein she says should have meant she would have avoided charges.
Maxwell’s attorneys are saying the federal government violated its own terms not to prosecute Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators, including the former socialite.
It all centers on charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008 which Epstein pleaded guilty to as part of said deal, which Maxwell’s team are now saying applies across the US, not just in the state of Florida.
Maxwell’s lawyers claim the Epstein ‘loophole’ was introduced (Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
What has Donald Trump said?
Ever since the Trump administration performed an unexpected U-turn on the Epstein files, the president has been asked often about the late financier.
Theories have been swirling that the files contain an alleged ‘client list’ of the rich, famous, and powerful – but the FBI has since said there is ‘no ‘incriminating client list’.
When asked by the press about the controversy, Trump insisted he never once visited Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James.
The POTUS told reporters on Monday (July 28): “By the way, I never went to the island. And Bill Clinton went there, supposedly, 28 times.”
“I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island,” he continued. “In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island.”
