A new narrative is emerging around Ghislane Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice, portraying her as the sole incarcerated individual for the crimes she committed alongside Epstein, and allegedly an innocent one at that. Despite her claims of an unfair trial, Maxwell has not substantiated these claims, and now there’s chatter about a potential pardon circulating within certain circles close to former President Trump. Newsmax, often mocked as a less credible alternative to Fox News, suggested Maxwell might be a victim. This sentiment is echoed by others aiming to curry favor with Trump. Maxwell’s lawyer has stated they haven’t discussed a pardon with Trump but expressed hope that he would consider using his pardoning power appropriately. Trump himself has mentioned he hasn’t given much thought to pardoning her but acknowledged he has the authority to do so.

This discussion shifts the Overton Window, making the idea of a pardon for Maxwell, involved in a case Trump deems a “waste of time,” more palatable. This is happening as her legal team angles for a pardon, despite her 20-year sentence handed down by the Department of Justice.

From 1994 to 2004, GHISLAINE MAXWELL aided, facilitated, and was complicit in Jeffrey Epstein’s exploitation of young girls. She helped Epstein recruit, groom, and sexually abuse victims who were under 18, with some as young as 14. Both Maxwell and Epstein knew their victims were minors and orchestrated their travel across state lines to Epstein’s properties for the purpose of sexual abuse.

Maria Farmer, the first to file a criminal complaint against Epstein in 1996, described Ghislane Maxwell as “the most predatory, terrifying person I’ve ever met… There are hundreds of us who were victimized by Ghislane Maxwell. She’s extremely dangerous and repeatedly threatened my life.”

The underlying question regarding Trump’s potential pardon of Maxwell is puzzling. Why pardon someone legally proven to have connections with Epstein? It appears Trump wants to quash the ongoing discussions about the case, suggested by his nervous demeanor. The Wall Street Journal reported that the DOJ has implicated him in the Epstein scandal. Unless Trump is merely overreacting to baseless accusations, it’s difficult to see how a pardon for Maxwell would benefit him, given her reputation for dishonesty—she was slated for a perjury trial before being sentenced for more severe offenses. The notion of a pardon has been floated by right-wing media portraying her as a victim, and it wouldn’t be surprising if this narrative gains more traction soon.