Donald Trump’s Campaign: The Surprising Link to Jeffrey Epstein’s Former Plane

Former President Donald Trump did use a private jet that was previously owned by Jeffrey Epstein during his recent campaign trip to Montana. However, he did not purchase the aircraft, nor is it the infamous “Lolita Express” that Epstein reportedly used for illicit activities.

On August 9, while traveling for Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s campaign, Trump’s personal aircraft required unplanned maintenance, forcing an unexpected stop in Billings, Montana. Subsequently, he utilized an alternative private jet for campaign events spanning August 9 and 10.

Numerous social media posts have circulated, claiming the plane Trump boarded had connections to Epstein. Among the viral claims was an assertion, originating from Rep. Jack Kimble (R-Calif.), suggesting Trump leased the so-called “Lolita Express,” a Boeing 727 linked to allegations involving underage girls.

Curiosity persists among VERIFY readers, with questions about whether Trump’s campaign genuinely utilized Epstein’s plane, or if there are implications he acquired it through inheritance or purchase.

The investigation confirmed that Trump did use a Gulfstream G550 jet, once registered to Epstein, during the campaign trip. However, the narrative that Trump bought the aircraft or that it was the “Lolita Express” is misleading.

Flight Aware data corroborated that Trump flew on a Gulfstream G550 with the tail number N550GP and its serial number 5173, linked to Epstein prior to being owned by a charter leasing company. Epstein’s ownership stemmed from a Virgin Islands-based entity, Plan D LLC, which court documents confirm was associated with him.

A Bloomberg report from July 2019 detailed Epstein’s business operations, noting that Plan D LLC possessed a Gulfstream G550. The current owner of the jet is Threshold Aviation Company, and its distinct paint job matches that of the plane previously owned by Epstein.

Contrary to the viral claims, this jet is not the same as the Boeing 727 known as the “Lolita Express,” which has been inactive since 2016 and is reported to have been destroyed.

Trump’s primary aircraft, “Trump Force One,” was scheduled to touch down in Bozeman, Montana. However, mechanical issues on August 9 necessitated an emergency landing in Billings at around 2:29 p.m. Following this, Trump’s campaign contacted Private Jet Services Group, their charter vendor, which provided the Gulfstream for subsequent travels across Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

While the Trump campaign did not respond to VERIFY’s inquiries, they did communicate to the Miami Herald that they were unaware of the aircraft’s past ownership. A campaign official confirmed the intent to avoid using that specific plane in future activities.

This event underscores the complexities surrounding campaign logistics and the public’s scrutiny of high-profile figures. The Trump campaign’s reliance on third-party aviation services brings attention to the importance of due diligence, especially in an era heavily influenced by social media narratives.