Trump insider accused of trying to monetize his influence at Mar-a-Lago

Boris Epshteyn, Donald Trump’s close lieutenant, is the subject of an investigation by the president-elect’s legal team into whether he offered at least two potential candidates for positions in the next administration Republican to promote themselves at Mar-a-Lago in exchange for money. Epshteyn became known in particular for his role in orchestrating Trump’s defense in the various criminal and civil cases against him in recent years.

According to the New York Timeswhich confirms the existence of this investigation, Epshteyn allegedly approached Scott Bessent last February to offer to help him obtain the position he coveted within a possible Trump 2.0 administration – Secretary of the Treasury – for a fee of $30,000 or $40,000 per month. Bessent, who refused Epshteyn’s offer, ended up inheriting the position. But, before his nomination was confirmed, he contacted Epshteyn on November 14 to ask him if he had made critical comments about him in Trump’s entourage.

“Mr. Epshteyn told Mr. Bessent that it was ‘too late’ to hire him and that he was ‘Boris Epshteyn,’ with an expletive between the two names,” writes the Times.

Epshteyn also allegedly demanded $100,000 per month from an unidentified defense contractor to promote his appointment to a position in Trump’s next cabinet. The subcontractor refused to pay the requested amount but still fears reprisals from Epshteyn.

The latter denies the allegations. But his hours may be numbered in Trump’s entourage. Recall that he was indicted in Arizona for participating in efforts by Trump’s allies to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in that state.

Trump provided this comment to the conservative website Just The News, the first media outlet to report on the Epshteyn investigation: “I guess every president is surrounded by people trying to make money off of him on the outside. It’s a shame, but it happens. But no one working for me, in any capacity, should be out to make money. »

PS: Epshteyn was in the news recently after the violent spat he and Elon Musk had in front of several witnesses at Mar-a-Lago.

(Photo Getty Images)