Balmedie, Scotland — President Donald Trump elaborated Tuesday on the reasons behind his estrangement from Jeffrey Epstein, citing conflicts over staff at his Mar-a-Lago resort. During a conversation on Air Force One following a trip to Scotland, Trump revealed he expelled Epstein from his club after the convicted sex offender allegedly poached employees, a move he deemed unacceptable.

Trump has long maintained that he terminated Epstein’s membership due to these staffing conflicts. When asked whether the hired workers were young women, he affirmed this assertion, recalling complaints from other staff members about Epstein’s actions. “People were taken out of the spa—hired by him,” Trump said. “I told him, ‘We don’t want you taking our people.’ He was fine with it initially, but then did it again, and I said, ‘Out of here.'”

These comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s association with Epstein, a matter that has resurfaced considerably in recent media discussions. Despite being overseas, Trump faced inquiries related to his past friendship with Epstein, including questions surrounding paperwork related to Epstein’s criminal history. While attending a summit with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he found himself addressing the fallout from the Epstein saga even while announcing a tentative trade deal with the European Union.

In response to suggestions that his trade announcement was an attempt to divert attention from Epstein-related controversies, Trump dismissed the notion. “You gotta be kidding with that,” he countered, asserting there was no correlation between the two events.

Still, the issues surrounding Epstein have not vanished. Following Epstein’s death, many have called for greater transparency regarding the investigations tied to his networks, with some looking toward Ghislaine Maxwell, a confidant currently incarcerated for her role in Epstein’s criminal activities. In light of ongoing calls from Republicans in Congress, including those on the House Oversight Committee, for more information about the case, Maxwell’s legal team seeks immunity in exchange for her testimony.

Attorneys representing Maxwell sent a letter requesting postponement of her deposition, originally scheduled for August 11, hoping the Supreme Court might review her case first. They expressed a willingness to cooperate under certain conditions, while also signaling uncertainties regarding her potential compliance with the committee’s demands.

As the Oversight Committee weighs its options on how to proceed, including possible delays to accommodate Maxwell, the committee has stated that it is not inclined to grant her any form of immunity. A committee spokesperson indicated they would soon respond to Maxwell’s attorneys while noting that a face-to-face meeting might still be on the table.

As Trump navigates the complexities of his past with Epstein amidst pressing political challenges, both he and Congress remain entwined in the legacy of a scandal that continues to reverberate throughout the political landscape.