EXCLUSIVE: A never-before-seen interview clip featuring Jeffrey Epstein has been unearthed, revealing the convicted sex offender's chilling response to being directly questioned about whether he considers himself "the devil." The footage, released by the US Department of Justice, shows Epstein smirking and employing deflection tactics throughout the exchange, with a body language expert highlighting particularly unsettling moments.
Epstein's Deflection and Humour in the Face of Blunt Questions
The video, which runs for nearly two hours and was made public on Friday, captures Epstein fielding a series of pointed inquiries about his wealth, criminal status, and classification as a sexual predator. While the identity of the interviewer and the exact timing of the recording remain unconfirmed, the content provides a stark glimpse into Epstein's demeanour under scrutiny.
Body language expert Judi James analysed the clip, noting that Epstein's overall impression is "chilling" due to his mix of deflection, humour, and counter-questions. Despite the gravity of the topics, Epstein is seen smiling throughout, a behaviour James attributes to his facial baseline, where his lips naturally curl upward at the outer corners.
The 'Devil' Question and Epstein's Control Tactics
One of the most striking segments occurs when Epstein is asked about the "devil" comparison. James observes that he swiftly seizes control of the narrative rather than answering directly. "As the questions of being the devil come up, he deftly takes over," she explains, describing how Epstein scratches his head in a gesture of performed puzzlement and shifts the onus onto the interviewer by asking, "Why would you say that?" followed by "Is the devil smart?"
This tactic appears to momentarily unsettle the interviewer, who stammers in response. Epstein then responds with a grin of self-reward, suggesting he feels he has won that exchange. However, James identifies a potential emotional "tell" when the interviewer mentions hell, causing an upward pucker or wince of Epstein's lower lid, possibly indicating a micro-response of fear.
The Final Gesture: A Chilling Summary
According to James, the most chilling moment comes at the end of the clip. "The pose that sums up the chilling element of this interview clip comes right at the end as a summary of Epstein's debating skills," she says. Epstein points a crooked index finger at the interviewer and chuckles, "I saw that in a movie once!" after a quote about the devil.
She interprets this gesture as an attempt to turn the exchange into shared humour rather than confrontation, effectively rendering the serious questions as mere banter. "He ends with his lips puckered and his face wreathed in smiles, perhaps assuming that his 'charm' has won the day," James adds.
Responses to Criminal Allegations and Wealth Inquiries
Elsewhere in the footage, Epstein answers questions about his criminal status with varying reactions. When asked if he is a criminal, he directly replies "yes." However, when challenged over whether his money is "dirty," James notes a brief flash of irritation. Epstein closes his eyes in a cut-off gesture and intervenes with, "If you'll let me..." before asserting, "No it's not," accompanied by an incongruent nod of his head.
James also highlights a mismatch between Epstein's words and eye movements when he insists his wealth was earned legally. "His 'I earned it legally' comes with an eye-dart to the left rather than a held gaze," she says, followed by a laconic, asymmetric smile that grows into a "Joker-like" expression. His voice strengthens during this delivery, with a knowing smile that conveys satisfaction or smugness.
Context and Broader Release of Files
The interview clip is part of millions of files released by the US Department of Justice, shedding light on Epstein's case. Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution and arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges before his death in jail, remains a figure of intense public and legal scrutiny.
This newly unearthed footage adds to the ongoing analysis of his behaviour and tactics, offering insights into how he navigated interrogations with a blend of charm and evasion. The body language expert's breakdown underscores the unsettling nature of his responses, particularly in moments where humour masks the severity of the allegations against him.
