Former model Stacey Williams has accused Donald Trump of groping her while she was occasionally dating Jeffrey Epstein, which the former president denies. But the story has put the former president's relationship with the prolific pedophile back in the spotlight – here's what we know about it.

Williams detailed her allegations in a phone call Monday with Survivors for Kamala, a group of more than 200 sexual and gender-based violence survivors advocating for Vice President Kamala Harris to win the upcoming presidential election. First reported by The Guardian, Williams then repeated the allegations in an interview with CNN.

Trump's team has denied the claims. A statement from his 2024 campaign's national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said: “These allegations, made by a former Barack Obama operative and announced at a Harris campaign call two weeks before the election, are…” clearly false . It is obvious that this fake story was fabricated by the Harris campaign.

Newsweek reached out to Trump's team via email outside of normal working hours for further comment.

In both of Williams' reports, she described Trump's friendship with Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender who worked with several major figures, including Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew.

“Good Friends”: What did Williams say about Trump and Epstein?

Williams said she met Epstein at a dinner in New York in 1992 before seeing him again at Trump's Christmas party at the Plaza Hotel in December of that year.

“And it became very clear that he and Donald were really, really good friends and spent a lot of time together,” she said on the “Survivors for Kamala” call.

She continued: “After that, Jeffery Epstein showed a lot of interest in me and we started seeing each other. When Jeffrey and I talked, he frequently mentioned Trump, he was clearly a close friend, and they spent a lot of time together.”

Williams claims the groping took place at Trump Tower in “late winter/early spring 1993” after Epstein suggested they visit Trump during a walk.

She said: “And so we went to Trump Tower and took the elevator up, and a few moments later Trump greeted us, pulled me close to him and started groping me.”

“He put his hands on my breasts, my waist, my butt and I froze. And I froze because I was deeply confused about what was happening – because the hands were moving all over me, and yet these two men were smiling at each other and continuing their conversation.

Williams went on to say that after she left, Epstein “berated” her for “letting (Trump) do that,” adding that she was “confused” and “felt like this was some kind of sick bet or game.” between the two.” them.”

“Trump and Epstein kept talking”

The former Sports Illustrated The model, now 56, said in her CNN interview that one reason she was “confused” and “frozen” during the alleged incident was the behavior of the two men.

“That context didn't make sense because the hands were on me and then (Trump) and Jeffrey just kept talking and like looking at each other and smiling,” she said. “I just had this really disgusting feeling that everything was coordinated, that the whole thing was kind of like this – I was being rolled into it like a piece of meat for some twisted game.”

Williams said she cut ties with Epstein after the alleged encounter. She also stressed that she was unaware of his abusive behavior that later came to light.

How did Trump and Epstein meet?

Steven Hoffenberg told The Washington Post Trump reportedly met Epstein through socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who would become Epstein's partner and is now a convicted sex offender.

Hoffenberg was Epstein's business partner at a New York private equity firm in the 1980s and 1990s before he was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme.

“Donald liked Epstein, but he was crazy about Maxwell, a very charming lady,” Hoffenberg said.

Trump, Epstein and Maxwell ran in the same circles, as captured in multiple photos and videos.

When Maxwell was finally arrested in 2020 on charges of helping Epstein human traffic and abuse underage girls, Trump said: “I honestly wish her well. I've met her many times over the years, especially since living in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her the best, whatever it is.

“Great guy”

In 2002, Trump was quoted calling Epstein a “great guy” for a profile on the disgraced financier new York Magazine.

He reportedly said: “I have known Jeff for fifteen years. Great guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It's even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are younger.” . There’s no doubt about it – Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”

This happened long before police in Palm Beach, Florida, began investigating Epstein in 2005 after the parents of a teenage girl complained that she had been molested at his home.

Trump has not been accused of involvement in the crimes of Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. However, according to testimony from the late financier's former pilot, Lawrence Paul Visoski Jr., he is on a list of associates who flew on Epstein's jet.

“Everyone in Palm Beach knew Epstein.”

After Epstein was arrested in July 2019, Trump said he “knew him like everyone in Palm Beach knew him.”

“I haven't spoken to him in 15 years – I wasn't a fan of his, I can tell you that,” Trump said at the time, while also claiming that Epstein was never a member of his Mar-a-Lago club.

During an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson earlier this year, Trump said Epstein was “a fixture” in Palm Beach and lived a “beautiful” life before his crimes were discovered.

“He was a fixture in Palm Beach,” Trump said. “I think he probably committed suicide. He had a life with beautiful houses and everything that was beautiful. And suddenly he’s locked up and he’s not doing particularly well anymore.”