Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, recently told U.S. officials that the widely speculated “client list” tied to Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation does not exist. In a two-day interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July 2025, Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s crimes, provided no incriminating information about high-profile individuals linked to the late financier. The release of the 300-page transcript, parts of which are heavily redacted, has reignited public interest in Epstein’s case and the mysteries surrounding his network of powerful associates.
Maxwell’s Statements and Denials
During the interview, Maxwell firmly denied the existence of a client list, a focal point for conspiracy theories claiming it is being hidden by a so-called “deep state” to protect prominent figures. She stated, “There is no list,” and claimed she was unaware of any blackmail schemes or inappropriate behavior by notable individuals, including former President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew. Maxwell described Trump as a “gentleman in all respects” and said she never witnessed him in any inappropriate settings, such as receiving massages, which some Epstein victims have referenced in their allegations. She also denied introducing Prince Andrew to Epstein and called allegations of his sexual misconduct with a minor in her home “mind-blowingly not conceivable.”
Maxwell’s remarks extended to other high-profile figures, including Bill Gates, Elon Musk, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and actor Kevin Spacey, none of whom she implicated in wrongdoing. Regarding a widely circulated photo showing Prince Andrew with a young woman and Maxwell in the background, she claimed it was fake. The woman, believed to be Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her at 17, settled with the prince in 2022 without an admission of liability. Tragically, Giuffre took her own life earlier this year, and her family has condemned the Justice Department for giving Maxwell a platform, calling her a “monster” whose testimony lacks credibility.
The Context of the Interview
The interview, conducted under limited immunity to protect Maxwell from self-incrimination unless she lied, was highly unusual due to the involvement of Blanche, a senior Justice Department official and former personal attorney to Trump. Maxwell’s legal team initiated the meeting, which took place at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee, Florida. The tone was described as cordial, with Blanche allowing Maxwell to critique her accusers’ accounts at length. The discussion came amid political pressure on the Trump administration to release investigative files on Epstein, a promise Trump made during his campaign but later reversed, citing the case as closed.
Maxwell’s move from a Florida prison to a less-restrictive facility in Texas shortly after the interview raised questions, though the White House has denied any leniency is being considered. Maxwell, who has appealed her conviction and is seeking a U.S. Supreme Court review, expressed hope for a pardon from Trump. Her attorney, David Markus, insists she is innocent and claims the released transcripts support her credibility.
Background on Maxwell and Epstein
Maxwell, 63, was convicted in 2021 for aiding Epstein in a sex-trafficking scheme that targeted girls as young as 14. She recruited and groomed victims, some of whom testified that Maxwell herself participated in the abuse. Despite her conviction, Maxwell maintains she never recruited minors or witnessed criminal acts, claiming she only sought adult masseuses for Epstein. She first met Epstein in 1991, developing a romantic and later “friends with benefits” relationship, during which she was paid up to $250,000 annually by Epstein until their connection faded around 2010.
Epstein, a multimillionaire who mingled with political and cultural elites, died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Maxwell expressed skepticism about his death, calling murder theories “ludicrous” but stating she did not believe he took his own life. No one other than Maxwell and Epstein has been charged in connection with the trafficking operation.
Public and Political Reactions
The Epstein case continues to fuel controversy, with Trump facing criticism from both his Republican base and Democrats for the Justice Department’s refusal to release investigative files. Some of Trump’s supporters, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, previously echoed conspiracy theories about a hidden client list but have since retracted those claims. Victims’ advocates, such as attorney Brittany Henderson, argue that Maxwell’s testimony should be dismissed given her history of perjury and conviction for sex trafficking. Annie Farmer, a prosecution witness at Maxwell’s trial, strongly opposed any potential leniency for her.
The release of Maxwell’s interview transcript has done little to quell public curiosity or conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s connections to powerful figures. As Maxwell continues her legal battle and seeks clemency, the case remains a lightning rod for debate about transparency, accountability, and justice.
