Overview
- Newly released Justice Department files show a Feb. 23, 2019 exchange in which Noam Chomsky advised Jeffrey Epstein to ignore negative coverage and lamented what he called “hysteria” about abuse of women.
- Valéria Chomsky says the couple met Epstein after a 2015 introduction, accepted his self-portrayal as a science patron and adviser, and only grasped the severity of his crimes after his July 2019 arrest.
- Her account describes lunches and dinners at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, brief stays at a New York apartment, a Paris visit, and one lunch at his New Mexico ranch, while stressing they never went to his Caribbean island.
- She confirms a $20,000 payment for a linguistic challenge and says Epstein helped recover about $270,000 of Noam Chomsky’s own funds, while insisting they made no investments with him.
- Coverage notes the files do not allege legal wrongdoing by Chomsky, and Valéria says the 97-year-old remains unable to speak following a severe stroke in 2023.