In a revelation that pierces the veil of denial surrounding Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a 2006 phone call has resurfaced, exposing the former president’s intimate knowledge of the financier’s predatory behavior.

The release of the "Epstein Files" has unearthed a conversation with former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter, where Trump allegedly celebrated the investigation into the sex offender. This direct account contradicts his 2019 claim that he "had no idea" about the extent of Epstein’s abuse, raising urgent questions about the depth of their association and the true timeline of his awareness regarding the crimes.

The "Thank Goodness" Call

According to the redacted FBI documents, the call took place in July 2006, a critical juncture when local law enforcement was beginning to close the net around Epstein. Reiter, who was spearheading the probe, told federal investigators that Trump telephoned him specifically to discuss the case. "Thank goodness you’re stopping him," Trump reportedly said. "Everyone has known he’s been doing this."

This statement is a smoking gun in the court of public opinion. It suggests that the "open secret" of Epstein’s trafficking ring was well-known within the elite circles of Palm Beach long before the first handcuffs were applied. If Trump knew "everyone" was aware, his later attempts to distance himself appear less like genuine ignorance and more like calculated political preservation.

• The 2019 Denial: When asked about Epstein’s arrest in 2019, Trump told reporters, "I had no idea," a statement now directly challenged by Reiter’s testimony.
• The Falling Out: While Trump claimed to have severed ties with Epstein years prior due to a real estate dispute, this call indicates he was still actively monitoring Epstein's legal troubles in 2006.
• The Sweetheart Deal: The timing is crucial; this call occurred two years before the controversial 2008 plea deal that allowed Epstein to escape federal prosecution, a miscarriage of justice that haunts the legal system to this day.

A Pattern of Contradiction

The resurfaced call adds another layer to the complex mosaic of the Trump-Epstein relationship. For years, the narrative has been one of two moguls who partied together in the 90s but drifted apart. However, Reiter’s account suggests a more tangled web. It implies that Trump was not merely a passive observer but an active commentator on Epstein’s downfall, privately cheering on the police while maintaining a public silence that would last for over a decade.

Legal analysts suggest that while the call does not implicate Trump in Epstein’s crimes, it destroys the defense of obliviousness. "You cannot simultaneously claim to be the law and order president and admit that you knew a serial predator was operating in your backyard for years," noted one legal commentator. As the 2026 political cycle heats up, this revelation provides fresh ammunition for critics who argue that the full story of the Epstein saga has yet to be told.

"We are not aware of any corroborating evidence," a Justice Department spokesperson stated, attempting to downplay the file. Yet, for the victims who have waited decades for the truth, the corroboration lies in the consistency of the whispers that have finally turned into shouts.