Veteran American broadcaster Katie Couric is confronting significant criticism for her decision to socialise with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 criminal conviction.
The Controversial Evening
In her memoir, serialised by the Daily Mail in 2021, Couric detailed attending a private dinner at Epstein's Upper East Side New York townhouse in 2010. At the time, she was serving as the anchor for CBS News' nightly show, a prestigious position she held until 2011.
Couric described the atmosphere at Epstein's mansion as 'Eyes Wide Shut with a twist', noting 'creepy chandeliers and body-part art'. The swanky dinner party featured lasagna served in shallow bowls, with Epstein 'holding court' in front of the fireplace for his assembled guests.
High-Profile Attendees and Mounting Criticism
The guest list included numerous prominent figures, notably Prince Andrew, alongside media personalities Chelsea Handler, George Stephanopoulos, and Charlie Rose, as well as filmmaker Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn.
In her writings, Couric speculated about Epstein and Prince Andrew's motives, suggesting they were 'trying to cultivate friends in the media' whom they might need 'when the pedophilia charges started rolling in'.
This retrospective insight has now placed Couric in the crosshairs of public scrutiny. Critics question her judgement in associating with Epstein after he had already pleaded guilty in 2008 to two state charges: solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor as part of a non-prosecution agreement.
Contemporary Condemnation
Megyn Kelly used her Monday podcast to launch a direct attack on the media bigwig. She demanded to know, 'Why was Katie Couric at Epstein's home in 2010, chumming it up, having dinner with him, after he pleaded guilty to solicitation of sex with a minor?'
Kelly was unequivocal in her assessment, stating, 'Katie Couric knows full well that you cannot solicit a minor prostitute. That's rape.' She also implicated fellow journalist George Stephanopoulos, who was also present at the dinner, questioning the professional ethics of both broadcasters.
Despite his conviction, Epstein was not ostracised from elite social circles in New York or Florida and continued to host intimate gatherings for celebrities. Epstein died in his prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Couric's media company and her former employer, CBS, have been contacted for comment regarding the resurfaced controversy.
