Alicia Arden, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse victims, was brought to tears during a recent press conference after President Donald Trump declined to rule out a potential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice.
Speaking alongside her attorney, Gloria Allred, on Wednesday, Arden expressed frustration and emotional anguish over the continued delay in releasing Epstein-related government files and the possibility that Maxwell could receive presidential clemency.
“I’m tired of the government saying that they want to release them,” Arden said, referencing the unreleased Epstein documents. “So please just do it.”
Turning her attention to Trump’s comments about a potential pardon for Maxwell, Arden made her position clear. “And the next question is, should Ms. Maxwell be pardoned?” she said. “No, Ghislaine Maxwell should not be pardoned. She was convicted of sex trafficking of children. This is a terrible crime.”
Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 on multiple counts, including sex trafficking of minors, for her role in grooming and recruiting young girls for Epstein’s abuse. Despite her conviction, recent political conversations have raised concerns that Maxwell could be considered for a pardon — a possibility that has angered and deeply upset many of Epstein’s victims.
Visibly emotional, Arden recalled the pain and trauma she continues to carry from her encounter with Epstein.
“It’s very upsetting to me, and I cry with tears like I am now,” she said. “In my living room, watching this all the time when I see it on the news every day, Jeffrey’s in my brain, and I see him again and again, and I remember what he did to me in that hotel room.”
Her voice breaking, she continued, “And I feel pain in my heart for myself and all for the other victims everywhere. And I see it every single day on the news.”
Arden, an actress who reported her alleged assault by Epstein to authorities in 1997, has long been outspoken about the need for justice, transparency, and recognition for Epstein’s survivors. Her plea comes amid renewed public interest in unsealing government documents that could potentially expose additional figures linked to Epstein’s criminal network.
Despite repeated calls from victims and their advocates, the complete Epstein files remain unreleased, fueling skepticism and frustration among those who believe the full truth has yet to be revealed.
With Arden’s emotional testimony now echoing in headlines, the pressure continues to mount on political leaders to ensure justice is neither delayed nor denied.
