“Evil is Real”: Mar-a-Lago Intruder’s Text About Epstein Files Reveals Possible Motive

The intruder who breached Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence sent a text message a week earlier that hints at a potential motive. On February 22, 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin entered the restricted perimeter of the president’s Palm Beach property with a gas canister and shotgun.

He was confronted and shot by Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sherriff's Office (PBSO) deputy. As the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates the case, a text Martin sent to a co-worker on February 15 has circulated widely online.

The message, first obtained by TMZ, shows Martin expressing anger over the government’s handling of the Epstein Files. The Department of Justice released 3.5 million documents related to the late financier and convicted s– offender Jeffrey Epstein in recent weeks.

Several high-profile individuals were named in the files, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Notably, being mentioned in the files does not indicate wrongdoing.

However, some critics have accused the Trump administration of protecting politically influential people and redacting their names from the documents. Martin apparently believed this theory. The text that he wrote to his co-worker read, “I don't know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable.”

Martin added, “The best people like you and I can do is use what little influence we have. Tell other people about what you hear about the Epstein files and what the government is doing about it. Raise awareness.”

Co-workers said Martin was obsessed with the Epstein Files and believed the government was covering up information to safeguard powerful people. Martin was initially a Trump supporter who believed in his leadership. But that changed as he became frustrated with the president’s economic policies.

Martin’s relatives have also revealed that their entire family supports Trump. His cousin, Braeden Fields, described him as a ‘good kid’ who did not even know how to operate a gun. Fields said in a statement to ABC station WTVD, “[Martin] never really talked about – he didn't want to get into politics. We grew up together, practically. I never, I wouldn't believe that he would do something like this. Mind-blowing.”

Martin allegedly entered Mar-a-Lago through the north gate while another vehicle was exiting the property. Authorities said he did not lower his weapon when ordered and remained in a shooting position, after which officers shot him.

Meanwhile, the President and the First Lady were not present on the property and were instead in Washington, D.C.

Following the encounter, the chief of communications for the Secret Service said, “On February 22, around 1:30 AM, a male in his early 20s was shot by U.S. Secret Service and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) following an unauthorized entry into the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago.”