Maria Farmer, Jeffrey Epstein Victim, Files Civil Lawsuit Against President Donald Trump After Justice Department Links His Name to Epstein Files

Epstein Victim Maria Farmer Files Civil Lawsuit Against President Trump Following Justice Department’s Disclosure

July 24, 2025

In a significant development that has reignited public scrutiny of President Donald Trump’s historical ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Maria Farmer, one of Epstein’s earliest accusers, has filed a civil lawsuit against the president. The legal action comes in the wake of a Justice Department announcement that Trump’s name appears in unreleased Epstein-related files, prompting renewed questions about their past association and the handling of Epstein’s case by federal authorities. This lawsuit marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga surrounding Epstein’s crimes and the powerful figures in his orbit, with Farmer’s allegations casting a spotlight on Trump’s connection to the convicted sex offender.

Maria Farmer’s Allegations and the Epstein Connection

Maria Farmer, an artist who worked for Epstein in the mid-1990s, was among the first to report his sexual crimes to law enforcement in 1996. She alleges that both she and her younger sister, Annie Farmer, were sexually assaulted by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell during that time. Farmer’s interactions with Epstein began when she was hired to acquire artwork for him, later transitioning to a role managing visitors at his Upper East Side townhouse in Manhattan. It was during this period, in 1995, that Farmer recounts a troubling encounter with Donald Trump at Epstein’s office, an incident she reported to the FBI in 1996 and again in 2006.

According to Farmer, she was summoned to Epstein’s Manhattan office one evening in 1995, dressed in running shorts after rushing to the meeting. She claims Trump, then a prominent real estate mogul, entered the office and “hovered over” her, staring at her bare legs in a manner she described as “imposing” and “predatory.” Farmer told The New York Times that she felt intimidated, recalling Trump making a comment to Epstein that he thought she was 16 years old. Epstein reportedly intervened, saying, “No, no. She’s not here for you,” before escorting Trump out of the room. Farmer emphasized that she had no further alarming interactions with Trump and did not witness him engaging in inappropriate conduct with others, but the encounter left her unsettled enough to urge the FBI to investigate Epstein’s associates, including Trump.

Farmer’s account of the incident, corroborated by her mother and sister and supported by NYPD records from 1996, has gained renewed attention following the Justice Department’s revelation that Trump’s name appears in Epstein-related documents. While the exact context of Trump’s mention in these files remains unclear, Farmer’s lawsuit alleges that the federal government, including the Justice Department, failed to protect her and other victims by not thoroughly investigating Epstein’s powerful associates, including Trump, despite her repeated warnings.

The Justice Department’s Announcement and Political Fallout

The Justice Department’s disclosure, made public in early July 2025, has sparked intense controversy, particularly among Trump’s supporters. The department initially announced on July 6 that it would not release additional Epstein files, stating that no “client list” existed and that Epstein’s death in 2019 was a suicide, conclusions that fueled skepticism among those expecting transparency. The backlash prompted Trump to reverse course, ordering Attorney General Pam Bondi on July 18 to seek the unsealing of grand jury transcripts related to Epstein’s case, a move the Justice Department formally requested the following day.

The announcement that Trump’s name is included in the Epstein files has amplified political tensions. Farmer’s lawsuit contends that this disclosure underscores the government’s negligence in pursuing leads she provided decades ago. She argues that had authorities acted on her 1996 and 2006 reports, further abuses by Epstein and his associates might have been prevented. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in May 2025, originally targeted the FBI and Justice Department for their handling of Epstein’s case but has now been expanded to include claims against Trump personally, citing his alleged proximity to Epstein and the recent Justice Department revelation.

Trump and the White House have vehemently denied Farmer’s account of the 1995 encounter, with Communications Director Steven Cheung stating, “The president was never in [Epstein’s] office,” and asserting that Trump expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club for inappropriate behavior. Trump himself has sought to distance himself from Epstein, emphasizing that their relationship ended years ago and dismissing Farmer’s claims as “recycled, old fake news.” In a July 2025 Truth Social post, Trump called for the release of grand jury testimony, insisting he has “nothing to hide” while labeling the controversy a “hoax” perpetuated by political opponents.

Broader Context: Epstein’s Legacy and Public Reaction

Maria Farmer’s lawsuit is part of a broader reckoning with Epstein’s crimes and the systemic failures that allowed him to evade justice for decades. Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was known for his extensive network of influential acquaintances, including Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and other high-profile figures. Flight logs confirm Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet multiple times, and the two were photographed together at social events in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, no evidence has publicly emerged tying Trump directly to Epstein’s criminal activities, and he has not been accused of wrongdoing in the Epstein case itself.

Farmer’s allegations have fueled speculation about what the unreleased Epstein files might contain. Her sister, Annie Farmer, who testified at Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 sex trafficking trial, has also called for greater transparency, expressing frustration at the politicization of the case. The sisters’ experiences highlight the challenges faced by Epstein’s victims, many of whom feel that law enforcement’s inaction allowed his abuses to continue unchecked. Maria Farmer’s lawsuit against the federal government, filed in May 2025, seeks accountability for these failures, while her new claims against Trump aim to address what she perceives as his role in Epstein’s orbit.

Public reaction, as reflected on platforms like X, has been polarized. Some posts amplify Farmer’s claims, pointing to her accounts of Trump’s close friendship with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s ties to Ivana Trump as evidence of deeper connections. Others, including Trump’s supporters, dismiss the allegations as politically motivated attempts to smear the president. The controversy has also intersected with other legal battles, such as Trump’s $10 billion libel lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a report alleging he sent a suggestive birthday letter to Epstein in 2003, which Trump denies.

Implications and What Lies Ahead

Farmer’s civil lawsuit against Trump introduces a new dimension to the Epstein case, raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the influence of powerful figures in shielding Epstein’s activities. While the Justice Department’s move to unseal grand jury transcripts may shed light on some aspects of the case, experts caution that these documents are unlikely to include comprehensive details about Epstein’s associates or a rumored “client list.” The lawsuit’s outcome will hinge on whether Farmer can substantiate her claims about Trump’s involvement and the government’s alleged negligence, a challenging task given the lack of corroborated evidence tying Trump to Epstein’s crimes.

For Trump, the lawsuit poses political risks, particularly as it coincides with criticism from his own base over the handling of the Epstein files. The case also underscores the enduring pain of Epstein’s victims, who continue to seek justice decades after their abuse. Maria Farmer, now in her late 50s, remains a vocal advocate for accountability, driven by her experiences and the loss of other survivors, such as Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits further clarity on the Epstein files and their implications for Trump and other figures. Farmer’s courage in coming forward, both in the 1990s and now, highlights the importance of amplifying victims’ voices in the pursuit of truth. Whether her lawsuit will lead to new revelations or further polarize an already divided public remains to be seen, but it undeniably keeps the Epstein case—and its unanswered questions—at the forefront of national discourse.

Sources: The New York Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, The Independent, The Daily Beast, CNN, PBS News, ABC News, NPR, Reuters, Hindustan Times, X posts