Freshly disclosed correspondence from the Jeffrey Epstein files reveals the convicted sex offender's active engagement with prominent individuals seeking to blunt the impact of the #MeToo movement as it gained momentum worldwide. The documents, released by the Department of Justice, show Epstein positioning himself as an advisor to men facing sexual misconduct allegations while strategizing with elite contacts about countering the movement's influence.
Strategic Communications Revealed
In August 2018, as the #MeToo movement spread across social media platforms, journalist Michael Wolff forwarded Epstein a plea for assistance regarding writer Stephen Elliott. Elliott sought to sue Moira Donegan, creator of the Shitty Media Men List - a crowd-sourced document detailing anonymous allegations against media industry figures. According to released emails, Wolff suggested to Epstein that supporting Elliott's case could represent "an opening" to challenge what he termed "persecution" within the emerging climate.
Epstein initially responded with a single-word email: "tough." However, after further prompting from Wolff, who had received Elliott's request through former Paris Review editor Lorin Stein, Epstein relented, writing: "ill help anyway i can. if you like." Weeks following this exchange, Elliott proceeded with his lawsuit against Donegan, who now serves as a Guardian columnist and reached a settlement with Elliott in 2023.
Widespread Requests for Guidance
The documents demonstrate that Elliott's case represented merely one instance among many where Epstein engaged with individuals concerned about #MeToo repercussions. In December 2018, Epstein wrote to an unidentified recipient: "So many guys caught in the me too . reaching out to me. asking when does the madness stop," adding the single-word commentary: "Funny."
Moira Donegan, responding to revelations about Epstein's awareness of her case, stated: "I can say that it is no mystery to me why someone like Mr Epstein would take an interest in the lawsuit against me, or why he would wish to help with it. I think the emails speak for themselves." Neither Elliott nor Stein appear to have known their communications would reach Epstein, according to available evidence.
High-Profile Exchanges and Strategies
Epstein's correspondence extended to numerous influential figures discussing #MeToo developments. In November 2017, Epstein exchanged emails with prominent publicist Peggy Siegal, who remarked about the rapid downfall of figures including Charlie Rose, Harvey Weinstein, Brett Ratner and Louis CK. Epstein observed: "charlie, harvey , brett. louis. . jeffrey is looking better and better L:)"
Siegal characterized the movement as "a barbaric over reaction to behavior that just ran its course" and advised Epstein to enhance his public image through philanthropic efforts supporting women's causes. She suggested establishing scholarships, supporting women's health initiatives, or assisting single mothers, noting such actions "would make you a hero."
Intellectual and Scientific Connections
The released documents reveal Epstein's communications extended to academic and intellectual circles. Celebrated linguist Noam Chomsky, according to a signed email Epstein forwarded to a publicist in February 2019, advised ignoring "the horrible way you are being treated in the press and public." Chomsky's attributed text continued: "That's particularly true now with the hysteria that has developed about abuse of women, which has reached the point that even questioning a charge is a crime worse than murder."
Perhaps most extensively documented is Epstein's involvement with physicist Lawrence Krauss, who faced multiple misconduct allegations detailed in a Buzzfeed News investigation. Krauss forwarded Epstein emails from reporters and university officials, discussed conversations with Arizona State University administrators, and even sought Epstein's opinion regarding legal representation. In March 2018, Krauss wrote to lawyer Justin Dillon: "Bottom line is that Jeffrey is not only friends with most of the famous people from finance, to business, to Hollywood, who have either been brought down during #metoo and he also speaks regularly with people ranging from the awful white house people, who he is friends with, to ken starr etc."
Legal Approaches and Backlash
Wolff's suggestion that accused individuals pursue legal action proved prescient, as defamation lawsuits have become a significant feature of the #MeToo backlash. According to recent data, nearly twenty percent of cases supported by the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund involve defending individuals sued for defamation.
Epstein also corresponded with technologist Joi Ito in November 2017, boasting: "with all these guys getting busted for harassment , i have moved slightly up on the repuation ladder and have been asked everday for advice etc." Ito later resigned from his position leading MIT's Media Lab after acknowledging he had accepted substantial funding from Epstein.
Reactions and Repercussions
Krauss ultimately retired from Arizona State University after the institution concluded he had grabbed a woman's chest, though he maintained his innocence in a statement workshopped with Epstein. When questioned about his communications with Epstein, Krauss told the New York Times he had "never hidden his ties" and sought advice "from essentially everyone I knew" when facing allegations.
The latest document release, comprising approximately three million records related to Epstein, significantly expands understanding of how the financier tracked and responded to the #MeToo movement while maintaining relationships with numerous prominent figures who shared concerns about its trajectory. These communications offer unprecedented insight into elite networks strategizing about managing sexual misconduct allegations during a period of profound social change.
