Explosive recordings from Jeffrey Epstein, obtained by the Daily Beast, reveal the convicted pedophile claiming he was Donald Trump’s “closest friend” and alleging intimate details about Trump’s personal conduct.

Why it matters: The release of these recordings just before the election has intensified the focus on Trump’s character and his long-standing association with Epstein, prompting renewed inquiries into the Republican candidate’s historical conduct towards women.

Driving the news: Author Michael Wolff provided the August 2017 recordings to the Daily Beast, where Epstein claims that Trump first had relations with Melania aboard his “Lolita Express” aircraft and took pleasure in pursuing the wives of friends.

• Epstein described himself as Trump’s “closest friend for 10 years.”
• The Trump campaign dismissed the tapes as “false smears” and “election interference.”
• Wolff plans to discuss the tapes on his Fire and Fury podcast.

Catch up quick: The friendship between Epstein and Trump, which lasted from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, was marked by appearances together at Mar-a-Lago and a Victoria’s Secret event. Their relationship soured in 2004 over a real estate disagreement, followed by Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 after being arrested for child sex trafficking.

The intrigue: Epstein alleged Trump used an elaborate scheme to seduce friends’ wives, involving speakerphone conversations to exploit marital tensions, a claim that remains unverified. Listen to Epstein’s own words in this audio excerpt from the recordings:

Between the lines: The tapes highlight Epstein’s own agenda, possibly seeking relevance by boasting about his ties to Trump, while casting light on their shared history of womanizing in New York and Atlantic City.

What they’re saying:

• “He’s a horrible human being. He does nasty things to his best friends, best friends’ wives,” Epstein told Wolff, alleging Trump’s predatory behavior.
• “He’s charming. In a devious way, he’s charming,” Epstein said, offering a complex view of Trump’s personality.

The bottom line: The recordings, while unverified in parts, amplify concerns about Trump’s past and could influence voter perceptions as the election nears, though their impact may be blunted by the Trump campaign’s dismissal. For further details, view the official PDF released by the House Judiciary Committee.