Paolo Zampolli, Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, admitted in a sit-down interview with Italian state broadcaster RAI 3 that he knew Jeffrey Epstein had underage girls around him — before his own lawyers attempted, and failed, to stop the programme from going to air.
The episode, titled 'La Guerra di Epstein' ('Epstein's War') and produced by RAI 3's long-running investigative programme 'Report', aired on 19 April 2026. It was authored by journalist Sacha Biazzo, in collaboration with Luigi Scarano and Cristiana Mastronicola, and featured what the programme described as the exclusive testimony of Amanda Ungaro, Zampolli's former partner of nearly two decades. It also included a direct confrontation with Zampolli himself and references to documents declassified by the US Department of Justice.
In the interview, filmed at Zampolli's own home after he had been informed in writing of the topics to be discussed, the Italian-born envoy addressed his ties to Epstein directly. 'Epstein came to me, we talked. Then the thing fizzled out,' he said, before adding: 'I knew he had the girls, but they weren't mine... they weren't even models, they were young girls.'
The admission was significant. In a longer version of his on-camera remarks, Zampollielaborated: 'I didn't know about his relationship with Epstein. I knew he had the girls, they weren't mine. They weren't even models, they were young girls, masseuses. The models were a cover-up for Epstein.' Zampolli's name appears several times in the publicly released Epstein Files, according toThe New York Times.
Paolo Zampolli told Italian national television that he knew Epstein had very “young girls, minors, masseuses.”Asked on RAI Report if he knew about Epstein’s “giri,” the Italian word for rings or rackets, not girlfriends, here is what he said:“I knew he had the girls. I knew.…pic.twitter.com/dCaXv9Dczb
Before the episode went to air, Zampolli's legal team issued a formal cease-and-desist to Report, demanding that the programme not broadcast the interview. The letter, which was made public by Report presenterSigfrido Ranucci, stated that Zampolli's appearance in the Epstein files was 'legitimate' and 'common to many public figures,' and described Amanda Ungaro's statements as 'unfounded and self-serving.' It also argued that remarks Zampolli made about 'Brazilian women' during the interview were delivered off the record and should not be aired.
Ranucci rejected the legal challenge outright. 'Zampolli is not a private citizen. He is the Special Envoy of the President of the United States for Global Partnerships, and what he says, and how he says it, is in the public interest — that is why we will broadcast the programme,' he stated publicly. He also noted that the segment in which Zampolli discussed the girls had been filmed with the camera switched back on at Zampolli's own explicit request.
Thelettersubmitted by Zampolli's lawyers, acopyof which was provided by RAI to accompany the broadcast, stated that the accusations against their client lacked 'any valid evidentiary support.' On Ungaro's allegations, the letter described them as 'unfounded, self-serving statements made by her after a twenty-year period of peaceful cohabitation, in the context of a legal dispute concerning custody of their minor son.' The lawyers further stated Zampolli had 'always cooperated fully' with US investigative authorities.
The programme aired regardless. According toIl Fatto Quotidiano, 'Report' has confirmed that a follow-up episode is planned, in which the ties among Trump, Zampolli, and Epstein to power will be examined further.
TRUMP’S MATCHMAKER CONFESSED ON LIVE TV!#trump#paolozampolli#amandaungaro#epstein
Source: International Business Times UK
