Noam Chomsky and his wife Valeria recently addressed their past connections with Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging a “grave mistake” for not investigating his background more thoroughly. Valeria noted that Epstein had deceived them.
The scrutiny around Chomsky, a prominent linguist and philosopher, emerged after the release of documents shedding light on his friendship with Epstein. In 2019, as Epstein faced severe allegations, he sought Chomsky’s advice about his public image. Chomsky suggested that ignoring the media could be the best strategy. He believed that any public response would invite more attacks and negativity.
Valeria stated that they had read a Miami Herald article in 2018 detailing Epstein’s crimes but didn’t grasp the full extent of his actions until after his arrest in July 2019. She expressed remorse that they hadn’t researched Epstein’s background better. Chomsky, who suffered a stroke in 2023, shared similar feelings of regret with Valeria.
Valeria stressed that Chomsky’s advice was based on his personal experiences with media controversies, not an endorsement of Epstein’s behavior. Epstein had crafted a narrative to portray himself as a victim, manipulating sympathies. Chomsky has consistently supported gender equity and women’s rights, and Valeria decried Epstein’s exploitation of Chomsky’s views on cancel culture to further his agenda.
Recent findings indicate that many notable figures maintained ties with Epstein even after his 2008 guilty plea for solicitation of prostitution. This ongoing link has led to renewed scrutiny over their relationships. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, public sentiment about individuals associated with Epstein remains largely negative, with over 70% of respondents expressing disapproval of those who continued to associate with him after his past was revealed.
Emails released by the House committee show Chomsky once regarded his communication with Epstein as valuable, though it remains unclear if those messages were ever formally sent. The Chomskys also participated in various dinners and academic events with Epstein, unaware of his heinous activities.
Valeria clarified some financial dealings, explaining that Epstein had sent Chomsky a $20,000 check for a linguistic project and later assisted in recovering $270,000 due to discrepancies in Chomsky’s retirement funds. These financial interactions were framed as part of Epstein’s manipulative strategy to gain favor.
Overall, both Chomskys regret opening up to someone who led a hidden life, stating they were caught off guard by Epstein’s calculated charm. They now understand the importance of due diligence, especially when engaging with public figures, emphasizing that appearances can be deceiving.
For further reading on Epstein’s extensive network and its implications, check out this report from The Guardian.
