Newly released emails show that financier Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor did little to diminish his standing among the world’s wealthy and powerful, who continued to seek his counsel and connections for over a decade.
Thousands of documents released by the House Oversight Committee provide a detailed look at Epstein’s eclectic global network, which spanned political affiliations, business, and academia, from 2009 until his 2019 arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.
A Diverse and Influential Network
Epstein’s correspondence paints a picture of his enduring influence, with contacts seeking his advice on everything from dating and oil prices to political strategy and responding to sexual harassment accusations.
- Political Sphere: Epstein maintained relationships across the political spectrum.
- He offered political advice to Steve Bannon, discussing strategy for Bannon’s 2018 European tour, while simultaneously insulting Donald Trump in emails to Kathryn Ruemmler, former White House counsel under President Obama.
- Business and Social Elite: Epstein brokered introductions and chatted about global affairs with prominent figures.
- He exchanged messages with Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel and Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, discussing figures like Bannon and the possibility of meeting Trump.
- Biotech venture capitalist Boris Nikolic detailed encounters with world leaders like Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- Academia: Epstein remained connected to major academic figures.
- Theoretical physicist Laurence Krauss sought Epstein’s advice on how to respond to sexual harassment allegations against him, detailing the nature of the alleged encounter.
- Famed linguist Noam Chomsky discussed economics and was offered the use of Epstein’s residences.
- Former Harvard President Larry Summers bantered with Epstein about politics and shared details of interactions with a woman. Summers later issued a statement expressing “major error of judgement” regarding his association with Epstein.
While the emails do not implicate his contacts in his alleged crimes, they underscore how Epstein’s status as a registered sex offender failed to sever his ties to the upper echelons of global wealth and influence.
