Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell's relationship was rooted in their mutual association with Jeffrey Epstein in elite social circles, frequently appearing together at parties and in flight logs. Maxwell was Epstein's key accomplice, leading to speculation she possesses damaging information about powerful figures, including Trump.

Trump considered pardoning Maxwell after her 2020 arrest, fearing what she might disclose about their ties to Epstein, according to biographer Michael Wolff. This aligns with the idea of a pardon preventing harmful revelations and protecting reputations, fitting a "dealmaker" image.

However, a pardon would spark significant political backlash. As of July 2025, the current administration's Justice Department actively opposes Maxwell's Supreme Court appeal, and no official pardon discussions are underway.