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Vintage Trump Photo Stirs Debate Amid Epstein Files Release
A vintage photograph showing former President Donald Trump in a white terry cloth robe lying across a bed has been confirmed as authentic, according to fact-checkers. The image, which has circulated widely on social media platforms, was first published by British tabloid The Daily Mail on November 8, 2016 – Election Day – as part of a collection of personal Trump family photographs.
The Daily Mail described the image as showing “a sexy looking young Trump shirtless and in a white terry cloth robe seated, as well as sprawled across a bed, in a very Burt Reynolds, ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine-type pose, showing exposed legs.” The publication did not specify when or where the photograph was taken.
According to the tabloid, an anonymous collector provided the image after discovering a suitcase containing approximately 1,000 photos and personal items at a Palm Beach, Florida thrift shop before 2016. The collector reportedly speculated that Ivana Trump or an assistant may have donated the items following her 1990 divorce from Trump.
The photograph has resurfaced amid significant developments regarding the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump recently signed legislation mandating the release of Epstein case files, though critics note he could have declassified many of these documents months earlier during his administration.
Social media users sharing the bathrobe photo have also made unsubstantiated claims about the bedding featured in the image. Some suggested the bedsheets displayed Strawberry Shortcake designs – a children’s brand that originated on greeting cards in 1973 before becoming an animated series in 1980. However, close examination of the pillowcases and bedding found no matches with vintage Strawberry Shortcake products.
The timing of the photo’s recirculation coincides with the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s public release of approximately 23,000 documents related to Epstein on November 12. Democrats on the committee also released several emails referencing Trump, including one claiming Trump “knew about the girls” and another stating he “spent hours” at Epstein’s residence with an alleged sex-trafficking victim.
The White House has pushed back against these emails, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling Snopes that “Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”
One particularly controversial email from Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein’s brother, suggested Jeffrey ask former White House adviser Steve Bannon “if Putin has the photos of Trump blowing Bubba.” Some social media users speculated “Bubba” referred to former President Bill Clinton, but Mark Epstein later clarified: “For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to ‘Bubba’ in this correspondence is not, in any way, a reference to former President Bill Clinton.”
Trump’s past connections to Epstein have been documented through various photographs and videos, including footage showing the two men chatting at a 1992 party. In a 2002 New York Magazine interview, Trump called Epstein a “terrific guy,” adding: “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
During a September 2024 interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Trump addressed his relationship with Epstein, stating: “I never went to his island, fortunately.” He also indicated he would be “inclined” to release the Epstein files, claiming to “have no problem with it.”
While the bathrobe photograph continues to generate discussion online, fact-checkers confirm no credible evidence currently ties Trump to Epstein’s criminal activities. As of this writing, the full Epstein files ordered by the recent legislation have not yet been released to the public.
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10 Comments
I appreciate the fact-checking efforts around this vintage Trump photo, but I’m still left with more questions than answers. I think we need to be very careful about how we interpret and discuss these types of personal images, especially in the context of the Epstein scandal.
While a photo of a public figure in a robe may seem scandalous, I think we have to remember that everyone has a private life. The real story here is the Epstein case and how it connects to Trump’s past.
I’m curious to learn more about how this vintage Trump photo was discovered and why it’s resurfacing now. However, I think we need to be careful not to sensationalize or politicize these types of personal photos.
This photo is certainly eye-catching, but I don’t think it really tells us anything new about Trump’s past or his connections to Epstein. We should avoid getting too caught up in the sensationalism and instead focus on the real issues at hand.
Interesting to see a vintage photo of Trump in a more casual setting. While the image may be controversial, it’s important to focus on the facts and context rather than speculation.
While the photo may be interesting from a historical perspective, I’m more concerned about the broader implications of the Epstein case and how it might connect to Trump’s past. Let’s keep the discussion grounded in the facts and evidence.
This vintage Trump photo is an interesting historical artifact, but I worry that it’s being used to distract from the more pressing issues related to the Epstein scandal. Let’s keep the focus on the facts and evidence.
The release of the Epstein files is certainly a major news story, but this old photo of Trump feels like a distraction. I’d rather focus the discussion on the substantive details and implications of the Epstein case.
This photo seems to be an authentic personal item from Trump’s past that has resurfaced. While it may be eye-catching, we should be cautious about drawing broad conclusions without more information.
I’m not surprised to see this old photo of Trump resurface, given the ongoing Epstein investigation. However, I think we need to be cautious about how we interpret and discuss these types of personal images.