Investigative documents recently released by the US Department of Justice bring new details about the close relationship between renowned academic Noam Chomsky and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The files, part of the so-called “Epstein files,” contain numerous emails and exchanges that reveal a close personal and social friendship between the two men that goes beyond what Chomsky had previously described as a primarily financial relationship. In one message, Chomsky says he is “fantasizing about the Caribbean island,” referring to a vacation invitation from Epstein — although the documents do not directly specify that it is Epstein’s private island, where sexual abuse of minors was later revealed.
The emails also show plans for social gatherings, dinners and trips, as well as the inclusion of other prominent public figures in their circle. In one case, Chomsky requested an introductory meeting with Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's former chief strategist, noting that he had been contacted through Epstein.
The documents also reveal advice Chomsky allegedly gave Epstein in 2019 on how to deal with public and media criticism, months before his arrest on sex trafficking charges. According to an email signed “Noam,” the advice was for Epstein to not respond to the allegations and ignore them, dismissing the public backlash as part of the “hysteria” of the time.
Neither Chomsky nor his wife, Valeria Chomsky, have publicly commented on the authenticity of these messages.
In addition to social issues, the relationship between Chomsky and Epstein also included financial cooperation. Epstein advised Chomsky on family legal disputes regarding wealth and money management, while Chomsky's wife also arranged payments related to academic activities in linguistics.
Other emails reveal a personal and sometimes playful tone between the two men, including jokes and private conversations that indicate a deep familiarity.
The release of these documents comes under a US Congressional transparency law and has reopened the debate over how federal authorities handled the Epstein case. Public interest grew especially after Donald Trump promised to release the full files, although the Justice Department later stated that there is no list of Epstein's clients.
Noam Chomsky, 97, is a professor emeritus at MIT and has been on medical leave from the University of Arizona since 2023./ The Guardian
