logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
32m 59s

The Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell

The New York Times
About this episode

This episode contains descriptions of self-harm and alleged sexual abuse.

When Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail, dozens of his alleged victims lost their chance to bring him to justice.

But the trial of his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, on charges that she recruited, groomed and ultimately helped Mr. Epstein abuse young girls, may offer an opportunity to obtain a degree of reckoning.

We look into how Mr. Epstein was allowed to die, and ask whether justice is still possible for his accusers.

Guest: Benjamin Weiser, a reporter covering the Manhattan federal courts for The New York Times.

Sign up here to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, subscribe to our newsletter

Background reading: 

  • Testimony at Ms. Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial revealed a key question in the case: Were Ms. Maxwell and Mr. Epstein partners, or partners in crime?
  • During the second day of the trial, a woman accused Ms. Maxwell of befriending her when she was a 14-year-old girl, only to join in the sexual abuse that followed

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Up next
Yesterday
‘Modern Love’: Bridget Everett Says A Best Friend Can Be Your Greatest Love
Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says that friendships deserve our attention, too. Onscreen and in everyday life.Last Fall, Everett appeared on Modern Love to talk about her HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere,” which ... Show More
38m 49s
Aug 23
'The Interview': Jen Hatmaker's Life Exploded in Middle Age. So She Built a Better One.
The former evangelical star on waking up halfway through her life. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 
45m 43s
Aug 22
California Strikes Back at Texas’ Power Grab
Texas is about to gerrymander five new house seats, and California is ready to retaliate. Gov. Gavin Newsom says that his state will also redraw its congressional maps to create five new districts, effectively fighting fire with fire.Laurel Rosenhall, who covers California’s gove ... Show More
28m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial
Longtime Jeffrey Epstein companion Ghislaine Maxwell is on trial in New York City this month, facing decades in prison over allegations of sex trafficking and conspiracy, all related to her relationship with the convicted sex offender and financier. Maxwell maintains that she is ... Show More
24m 48s
Dec 2021
Crime World Extra: The sordid tales behind the Ghislaine Maxwell trial
The trial of Ghislaine Maxwell in New York is finally underway after years of allegations about her relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and claims that she helped him procure young girls for sex. It has been a sensational fall from grace for the daughter of disgraced new ... Show More
24m 6s
Dec 2021
Accusers Take the Stand: Ghislaine Maxwell Trial Update
The sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell continues. The wealthy socialite is accused of being a central player in Jeffrey Epstein’s decades of sexual abuse of minors. Defense attorneys say Maxwell is a scapegoat taking the fall for a man’s misdeeds. The defense portrays Max ... Show More
39m 40s
Dec 2021
Ex-Sex Trafficking Prosecutor Unpacks the Early Stages of Ghislaine Maxwell's Trial (Feat. Mitchell Epner)
In 2000, former President Bill Clinton signed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, a landmark piece of legislation later reauthorized by his successors that protect survivors with tools like "T" visas and stiff penalties for alleged perpetrators."Prior to that, ... Show More
28m 13s
Jul 2022
Episode 126: Ghislaine Maxwell - Epstein's innocent servant or the master manipulator?
Ghislaine Maxwell was the queen of the London social scene and would later mix with New York’s elite, courting billionaires, presidents and celebrities.Her epic fall from grace has portrayed her as a victim of her paedophile lover Jeffrey Epstein - but is their case really all ab ... Show More
37m 37s
Jun 2022
Ghislaine Maxwell Speaks As She’s Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
A federal judge sentenced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell Tuesday to 20 years in federal prison for charges related to her conviction for procuring and transporting teen girls and young women for sex with financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Angenette Levy t ... Show More
8m 4s
Dec 2021
Crime World Extra: The Ghislaine Maxwell trial update
The jury in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell has adjourned for the Christmas holidays with the fate of the infamous New York socialite hanging in the balance. Ms. Maxwell, who turns 60 on Christmas Day, has pleaded not guilty to her role in the recruiting and grooming of girls for ... Show More
34m 35s
Dec 2021
Ghislaine Maxwell Found Guilty of Sex Trafficking
A jury found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty on five of six counts related to her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of minor girls between 1994 and 2004. She faces up to 65 years in prison. Former federal prosecutor and CNN Legal Analyst Jennifer Rodgers joins AC360 to discuss the ... Show More
44m 31s
Sep 2021
Is Jeffrey Epstein's Greatest "Victim" Ghislaine Maxwell?
Investigative journalist Vicky Ward reveals to Danielle that Epstein's mistress and alleged procurer of underage girls may, astonishingly, play the victim card when she goes on trial this fall for sex trafficking. Ward takes us inside Epstein & Maxwell's sordid, shadowy world on ... Show More
1h 34m
Dec 2021
Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty On 5 Counts Of Sex Trafficking A Minor
A New York federal court jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty on five of six counts related to her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of minors. Maxwell, who now faces up to 65 years in prison, showed no reaction when the verdicts were read. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walen ... Show More
1h 27m