Noam Chomsky advised Epstein about 'horrible' media coverage, files show

Jeffrey Epstein sought advice from linguist Noam Chomsky over what he called "putrid" media coverage of sex trafficking allegations against him, new files show.

In emails from February 2019, the disgraced financier asked if he should "defend myself" or "try to ignore".

A response that appears to be from Chomsky laments "the horrible way" Epstein was treated and the "hysteria that has developed about abuse of women".

"It's painful to say, but I think the best way to proceed is to ignore it," the email said.

In a statement on Saturday, his wife and spokesperson, Valéria Chomsky, said that "Epstein created a manipulative narrative about his case, which Noam, in good faith, believed in".

The February 2019 exchange was among the latest release of files from the US government's investigation into Epstein.

The appearance of Chomsky's name in the files does not imply wrongdoing.

Valéria Chomsky's statement said her husband is in ill health since a stroke in 2023, and unable "to engage in public discourse".

But she said the couple "felt a profound weight regarding the unresolved questions surrounding our past interactions with Epstein". She wrote that they did not know the "full extent and gravity" of the allegations against Epstein until he was charged in 2019.

The newly released documents appear to reveal years-old correspondence between Epstein, Chomsky and Valéria on numerous subjects, from academic papers to arranging meet ups.

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and found dead in his New York jail cell in August of that year awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

In 2023, Noam Chomsky, 97, told the Wall Street Journal of his relationship with Epstein: "First response is that it is none of your business. Or anyone's. Second is that I knew him and we met occasionally."

Epstein's email to Chomsky came as the Miami Herald published a series of investigative reports into Epstein and a plea deal he reached to avoid trial on federal sex trafficking charges in 2008.

"Noam. I d love your advice on how I handle my putrid press," Epstein wrote, adding that media coverage was "spiralling out of control".

"Do I have someone write an op ed?" Epstein asked. "defend myself? or try to ignore. realizing that mobs are dangerous."

A reply from an account labelled in the documents as Noam Chomsky reads: "What the vultures dearly want is public response, which then provides a public opening for an onslaught of venomous attacks, many from just publicity seekers or cranks of all sorts."

"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," the email added.

Valéria Chomsky said in a statement that she believes Epstein sought to take advantage of her husband.

"Epstein had claimed to Noam that he [Epstein] was being unfairly persecuted, and Noam spoke from his own experience in political controversies with the media. Epstein created a manipulative narrative about his case, which Noam, in good faith, believed in."

The documents also appear to show that the couple turned to the financier for advice on interest payments, and how to communicate with their children about their finances.

"N wants to send the letter below to his children," an email address identified as Valeria Chomsky wrote in September 2017. "Suggestions? Something to add?"

"Feel free to suggest. We trust you," the email concluded.

Valéria Chomsky said that Epstein had helped her husband with the transfer of $270,000 of his own funds, and had never had investments with the financier or his office.

Correspondence between Epstein and Chomsky also featured in previous document releases. Files released last year showed the pair exchanged several messages over the years and Epstein invited him to stay at his homes.

In an undated letter of support included in the trove of emails, Chomsky said the two had held "many long and often in-depth discussions".