Newly disclosed investigative records have cast fresh light on the substantial relationship between renowned academic Noam Chomsky and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The latest tranche of documents, released under a congressional transparency law, reveals extensive personal communications that challenge Chomsky's earlier assertions regarding the nature of their association.
Undermining Previous Claims
The communications significantly undermine Chomsky's previous suggestions that his dealings with Epstein were primarily financial. Instead, the emails paint a picture of a close, familiar friendship that included personal advice, social planning, and shared connections with other high-profile figures.
Personal Exchanges and Caribbean References
Among the most revealing exchanges is one where Chomsky expressed to Epstein, "I'm really fantasizing about the Caribbean island." While there is no indication in the files that Chomsky was referring to Epstein's private Caribbean island where children were sexually abused, the personal familiarity in their correspondence is unmistakable.
The documents show numerous emails aimed at planning social gatherings, with Epstein at one point writing, "Enjoyed ... [as] always. Come to New York or Caribbean? Enjoy the food." Chomsky's response about fantasizing about the Caribbean island appears in this context of friendly vacation planning.
Public Image Advice Amid Scandal
Perhaps most striking is an exchange from late February 2019, where Epstein represented to an associate that he had received advice from Chomsky about navigating negative press coverage. This occurred eleven years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor and months before he would reportedly die by suicide while in federal custody.
According to text signed under his first name that Epstein sent to a lawyer and publicist, Chomsky advised: "The best way to proceed is to ignore it. 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."
Financial Connections and High-Profile Networks
While the relationship extended beyond finances, monetary matters did feature prominently. The documents reveal Chomsky communicated with Epstein for advice during a complex legal fight with his children from his first marriage concerning money and property purchases.
At one point, Chomsky's estate attorney prepared a draft email about discrepancies surrounding a $187,000 payment, but Chomsky sought Epstein's opinion before allowing it to be sent. Epstein responded: "You should OK her sending but admonish [her] for being unwilling to ask tough questions. NONSENSE."
Connections to Other Notable Figures
The files also reveal Chomsky's connection to Steve Bannon, the rightwing chief White House strategist during Donald Trump's first presidency. Chomsky wrote to Bannon requesting an introductory meeting, noting: "Lots to talk about," and adding that Epstein had provided Bannon's contact information.
Further connections emerge through discussions about meeting with the "Allens" - likely referring to film director Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn. The emails don't explicitly confirm this identification, but subsequent correspondence about genetic testing kits being delivered to "Woody and Soon Yi" strongly suggests their involvement.
Playful Exchanges and Personal Dynamics
The documents reveal a playful dynamic between the two men. In one exchange, Epstein wrote that he thought of Noam and his wife Valeria Chomsky as if they were "Pluto and its moon." When Chomsky asked, "Who's Pluto?" Epstein sent a picture of the Disney character.
After Chomsky noted the anthropomorphic dog indeed looked like him, Epstein responded with a phallic joke: "At your age, if anything sticks up, be proud." Chomsky replied "Ouch," prompting Epstein to write: "Good, it still has feelings as well."
Context and Aftermath
The public image management advice attributed to Chomsky came after a federal judge found that US Justice Department prosecutors broke federal law when they signed a plea agreement with Epstein and concealed it from more than 30 of his underage victims. Epstein's 2008 deal allowed him to plead guilty to prostitution charges and serve just 13 months in a local jail, despite evidence of operating an international sex operation involving underage girls.
Federal prosecutors in New York eventually charged Epstein with sex trafficking in July 2019, a case that would lead to his associate Ghislaine Maxwell receiving a 20-year prison sentence. Epstein died by suicide in federal custody in August 2019 at age 66.
Interest in the case surged recently after Donald Trump promised during his 2024 presidential campaign to release a full list of Epstein's clients. However, after taking office in early 2025, Trump's Justice Department declared no such list existed. The president ultimately signed a congressional bill directing disclosure of more Epstein files, leading to Friday's records release.
Neither Chomsky nor his second wife and spokesperson, Valeria Chomsky, immediately responded to inquiries about the authenticity of the emails or the advice attributed to the scholar. Chomsky, who turned 97 in December, is a professor emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has been on unpaid medical leave from his position at the University of Arizona since October 2023.
