Journalists' Troubling Epstein Relationships Exposed
Freshly disclosed emails have revealed the disturbingly cosy relationships Jeffrey Epstein maintained with two prominent journalists, even after his conviction for sex offences. The latest document release shows how the convicted paedophile financier regularly exchanged gossip and information with Michael Wolff and Landon Thomas Jr, who in return provided him with advice and warnings about media coverage.
Landon Thomas Jr's Tip-offs and Trump Photos
According to the emails, former New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr actively protected Epstein from investigative scrutiny. In June 2016, Thomas contacted Epstein to alert him about journalist John Connolly, who was researching a book about the financier. Thomas told Epstein: "Keep getting calls from that guy doing a book on you - John Connolly. He seems very interested in your relationship with the news media. I told him you were a hell of a guy:)."
The correspondence also revealed Thomas discussing a 2002 New York Magazine article about Epstein that included a controversial quote from Donald Trump. Trump had stated: "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."
In a particularly shocking exchange from December 2015, Epstein offered Thomas alleged photographs of Trump with girls in bikinis. Epstein wrote: "Would you like photso [sic] of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen", to which Thomas enthusiastically responded: "Yes!!"
Michael Wolff's Strategic Advice
Michael Wolff, author of several bestselling books about Donald Trump, maintained an equally troubling relationship with Epstein. Their association began in 2014 when Epstein approached Wolff to become his biographer.
The emails show Wolff offering Epstein strategic political advice, particularly concerning his relationship with Trump. In December 2015, Wolff warned Epstein that Trump might be questioned about their relationship during a Republican presidential debate. Wolff advised: "I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency."
Wolff even suggested that Epstein could use Connolly's forthcoming book as an opportunity to reposition himself as "an anti-Trump voice", which would provide "certain political cover which you decidedly don't have now". He proposed a media strategy involving op-eds, television interviews with programmes like Charlie Rose, and social media efforts.
Consequences and Fallout
The relationship between Thomas and Epstein ultimately cost the journalist his position at The New York Times. Thomas left the newspaper in 2019 after revealing he had solicited a $30,000 charity donation from Epstein. Colleagues reported that editors were "aghast" when Thomas suggested he would never investigate or report on Epstein, leading to his swift dismissal.
A New York Times spokesperson confirmed: "Landon Thomas Jr. has not worked at The Times since early 2019 after editors discovered his failure to abide by our ethical standards."
Wolff has since faced questions about his close relationship with the convicted paedophile. When confronted by The Daily Beast's Joanna Coles about "advising a convicted paedophile", Wolff responded defensively, calling the emails "embarrassing" but justifying his proximity to the story.
Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The newly released correspondence provides disturbing insight into how he cultivated relationships with media figures who could potentially shield him from scrutiny and help manage his public image.
