Trump Acts Confused When Pressed About Ghislaine Maxwell Pardon

Donald Trump had a bizarre reaction when he was asked if he might pardon convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell ― the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein.He acted like he was completely unaware of her or her case.On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected Maxwell’s appealof her 20-year sentence for helping recruit underage girls for Epstein.Considering Trump was friends for a time with Epstein, and that he once wished Maxwell“well,” it seems natural that reporters might ask if he planned to pardon her now that the Supreme Court has declined to hear her case.And that’s exactly what CNN’s Kaitlan Collins did on Monday.Although Trump has been trying to downplay the Epstein files ever since Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly told him that his name came up multiple times in the documents, his response to Collins was strange, as he feigned complete cluelessness about Maxwell’s case.After Collins explained to Trump that the Supreme Court’s decision means a presidential pardon is the only way to shorten her sentence, the president asked, “Who are we talking about?”When Collins answered and said Maxwell’s name, Trump acted like he was hearing the name of a forgotten high school classmate for the first time in decades.“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. Did they reject that?” Trump asked, before suggesting that, sure, he might consider a pardon.“Well, I’ll take a look at it. I’ll speak to the DOJ,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t consider it or not consider — I don’t know anything about it. I will speak to the DOJ.”Collins asked why Maxwell might deserve a pardon, prompting Trump to note that “a lot of people have asked me for pardons,” and mentioned rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was sentenced last week to four years in prison.Collins noted that Maxwell “was convicted of child sex trafficking,” but Trump didn’t seem like that was a dealbreaker for him.“Yeah, I mean, I’m going to have to take a look at it,” Trump replied. “I’d have to ask DOJ. I didn’t know they rejected it. I didn’t know she was even asking for it, frankly.”Here’s a clip of the exchange:COLLINS: Pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell -- is that something you're open to doing?TRUMP: Who are we talking about?COLLINS: Ghislaine Maxwell TRUMP: I haven't heard the name is so long. I can say this -- I'd have to take a look at it ... I will speak to the DOJCOLLINS: She's… pic.twitter.com/CnQ6XrezQY— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 6, 2025Considering Trump’s long history with Maxwell and Epstein, many people on social media were very sceptical about his seeming cluelessness."haven't heard the name in so long" ummm just like 2 months ago he declared, "I'm allowed to give her a pardon," but that no one had asked him to, and that a pardon would be "inappropriate to talk about" with the media. That was WAY BACK in July 2025.— Dj Omega Mvp (@DjOmegaMVP) October 6, 2025You haven't heard Ghislaine Maxwell's name in so long?That's really weird considering your personal attorney just sat down with her for eight hours, at your direction, like two months ago before you, personally, ordered her transferred to a minimum-security prison.Pedophile.— Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) October 6, 2025The only person in America who “hasn’t heard that name in so long.” pic.twitter.com/GIBDICmpYD— SUSAN BRANCH (@dearsusanbranch) October 6, 2025pic.twitter.com/ryltIQvOtF— nikkib (@nicbasarab) October 6, 2025It’s a huge tell that Donald Trump can’t just say “no” to pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell — a convicted child sex trafficker. This isn’t a hard question. It’s the easiest “no” any decent person could give. The hesitation says everything. Something’s definitely up. pic.twitter.com/vzQif0ZIr3— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) October 6, 2025Yoko never heard of John, either. It happens.https://t.co/Jc1VFE1ymN— Steve Faktor (@ideafaktory) October 6, 2025He's so full of crap, I imagine he swarmed by flies daily.— Auntie Smartassy (@AuntSassyAss) October 6, 2025Rule to remember: pic.twitter.com/uMG0jQ0AyJ— Jeff Hecht (@JeffHechtAZ) October 6, 2025Trump every few days the last 2 months: PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE EPSTEIN FILESAlso Trump when asked about one of the primary people involved in everything Epstein: pic.twitter.com/qDpdmw7m2d— Shaun (@ShaunHudgins) October 6, 2025This was first brought up with Trump 3 months ago, and he offered a similarly noncommittal response. (“Well, I don’t want to talk about that." “It’s something I haven’t thought about.")If there's anyone telling him "maybe we shouldn't do that," message apparently not received. https://t.co/wyCwKswHIk— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) October 6, 2025He’s so guilty. The pressure is really on Trump now because Maxwell wants out of jail. https://t.co/gqTmiQH4Hp— Tom Joseph (@TomJChicago) October 6, 2025Trump’s definitely on the Epstein list. Biggest coverup in modern American history.— Vince Wilson (@VinceWilsonShow) October 6, 2025

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