Who was Virginia Giuffre, the 'young female staff' Trump claims Jeffrey Epstein 'stole' from Mar-a-Lago?

Time of India

a day ago

Donald Trump
is resorting to a new strategy to combat the Epstein files discourse. The US President recently claimed that
Jeffrey Epstein
'stole' Virginia Giuffre, along with other young spa staff, from his Mar‑a‑Lago club in Florida.
For the unversed, Virginia Louise Giuffre (formerly known as Virginia Roberts), who passed away in April this year, was a victim‑turned‑activist whose allegations exposed one of the most notorious sex‑trafficking networks in modern times.
Trump's latest claim about Giuffre prompted renewed scrutiny of Trump's past association with Epstein, whereas Giuffre herself had alleged that she was recruited at age 16 by
Ghislaine Maxwell
while working at Mar‑a‑Lago, leading to years of abuse and legal battles.
Who was Virginia Giuffre?
Virginia Louise Giuffre was born Virginia Roberts in August 1983, in Sacramento, California, and later moved to Palm Beach, Florida. Her father worked in maintenance at Trump's Mar‑a‑Lago club. In the summer of 2000, while working as a spa attendant and reading a massage‑therapy book, she was approached by Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell recruited the 16‑year‑old and introduced her to Jeffrey Epstein, allegedly grooming her for sex trafficking under the guise of massage training.
Giuffre later described being coerced into sexual encounters with Epstein and others, under pressure and manipulation. She escaped in 2002 and became one of the most prominent accusers in legal actions against Epstein and Maxwell, including a civil lawsuit filed in 2015 under the pseudonym 'Jane Doe 3.'
Later, Giuffre launched a nonprofit, first Victims Refuse Silence, later relaunched as Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR), to support survivors of sex trafficking and push for justice.
In 2002, she married Australian martial arts trainer Robert Giuffre and settled in Australia, raising three children together: two sons, Christian and Noah, and a daughter, Emily. Her children were described as the "light of her life."
Throughout her life, Giuffre fought to hold Epstein, Maxwell, and others accountable. Her testimony and unsealed court documents became pivotal in Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal conviction in 2021.
She also sued Prince Andrew, alleging she was trafficked to him, resulting in an out-of-court settlement in 2022.
Giuffre died by suicide in April this year, at age 41, at her home in suburban Perth, Australia. Sharing the news with the rest of the world, her family stated that the toll of the abuse became unbearable for her.
What did Trump claim
On July 29, while aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump said he banished Epstein from Mar‑a‑Lago after learning Epstein had hired away 'young women' working at the club's spa, including, as he believed, Virginia Giuffre.
Trump recalled warning Epstein not to recruit staff and claimed he ended their friendship when the poaching continued. When reporters pressed whether Giuffre was among those employees, Trump said, as reported by PEOPLE, "He took people that worked for me. And I told him, 'Don't do it anymore.' And he did it."
When asked if Giuffre was one of these employees, the president said, "I think she worked at the spa... I think so.
I think that was one of the people. He stole her, and by the way, she had no complaints about us, as you know, none whatsoever."
Trump also claimed that Giuffre never had complaints about Mar‑a‑Lago during her employment.
Now, Trump's framing of Epstein 'stealing' Giuffre adds a new political twist to their equation and past association, which are already under scrutiny. relationship. It also seems like a viable reasoning to suggest that his falling out with Epstein around the early 2000s stemmed from workplace recruitment concerns, not misconduct, as earlier stated.
However, it may be argued that Trump's narrative is a purposeful shift to deflect scrutiny from his own past ties with Epstein, including a widely publicized 2002 remark praising him.
However, Virginia Giuffre's life and legacy transcend any claim by Trump or others. She was a survivor who brought global attention to an abusive trafficking network, fought tirelessly for justice, and became an epitome of resilience and quiet strength.
Though she tragically died in 2025, her advocacy work and public testimony steered the much-needed attention on Epstein, Maxwell, and allegations implicating powerful individuals. She inspired many survivors to come forward, and her nonprofit continues supporting others impacted by trauma.
Trump's assertion that Epstein 'stole' her from Mar‑a‑Lago might open a fresh chapter in scrutiny over his connection to Epstein. However, the real focus should remain on Giuffre's incredible strength, resilience, her influence on public understanding of trafficking, and the ongoing need for transparency and justice in the wake of her passing.