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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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The family of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most well-known accusers, have condemned President Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell.
“It really is disgraceful, and it’s very hurtful,” Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s brother, told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki on Tuesday.
Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, is serving a 20-year prison term after being convicted over her role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by him.
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On Monday, Trump avoided answering whether he would consider pardoning Maxwell, saying only that he would speak with the Department of Justice (DOJ) about it.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Maxwell’s efforts to appeal her conviction have been unsuccessful. On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to take up her appeal, leaving a pardon or clemency as perhaps her only remaining legal avenue to reduce or remove her sentence.
In July, the Justice Department and FBI said Epstein—who died by suicide in a jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019—did not maintain a “client list.” They also said no additional documents from the investigation would be released, despite previous promises to do so. That decision sparked outrage from Trump supporters and conspiracy theorists who believe the files contain proof of a government coverup.
The Trump administration continues to try to tamp down criticism over its refusal to publicly release more files from Epstein’s case, with the president repeatedly dismissing the backlash as a “hoax” pushed by Democrats.
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What To Know
In his interview with MSNBC, Roberts said it was painful to hear that Trump would consider pardoning Maxwell.
He told Psaki: “She was convicted of basically running a sex trafficking ring. And so at this time, like, what does this teach our children? What does this teach the people around us?
“I can’t even look my daughter in the face and give her a square answer about what our government stands for, and that’s disgraceful.”
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, told New York magazine’s the Cut in 2021 that Maxwell was the “devil’s right-hand man,” adding that she was “definitely worse” than Epstein.
“She used that charm, that wit, that smile to come off as somebody you want to trust,” Giuffre said of the former British socialite.
“She’s worse to me, more evil than Epstein. What Ghislaine did to so many of us, it’s unforgivable,” she continued.
Maxwell was transferred from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after being interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July. Neither her lawyer nor the Federal Bureau of Prisons has explained the move.
She repeatedly denied witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions involving Trump, according to transcripts of the interviews released in August.
What People Are Saying
Sky Roberts said on MSNBC: “It’s hurtful for a lot of survivors out there. It’s hurtful for me as a family member to even hear the potential for a pardon, that he is considering it—or possibly not considering it, as he said. So he didn’t waver one way or the other. However, I mean, why is this even a conversation? She’s a convicted—she was convicted of basically running a sex trafficking ring. And so at this time, like, what does this teach our children? What does this teach the people around us? I can’t even look my daughter in the face and give her a square answer about what our government stands for, and that’s disgraceful. It really is disgraceful, and it’s very hurtful.
“I know my sister would be very hurt by it because we did believe based off of the campaign that he ran that he would do the right thing. And right now, he seems to have amnesia, as does most of the campaign administrators or people that he appointed. They seem to have amnesia that they ran their campaign on this.”
President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday when asked whether he would consider pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell: “You know, I haven’t heard the name in so long. I can say this, that I’d have to take a look at it. I would have to take a look.”
He added: “I will speak to the DOJ. I wouldn’t consider it or not consider it. I don’t know anything about it so. But I’ll speak—I will speak to the DOJ.”
David Oscar Markus, an attorney representing Maxwell, said on CNN on Monday: “We’re, of course, deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court declined to hear Ghislaine Maxwell’s case. But this fight isn’t over. Serious legal and factual issues remain, and we will continue to pursue every avenue available to ensure that justice is done.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether Trump will pardon Maxwell.
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