Chomsky's ties with Jeffrey Epstein deeper than earlier disclosed, documents show

Newly released congressional documents reveal that renowned linguist and political thinker Noam Chomsky maintained a far closer relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than he had previously acknowledged, reports The Guardian.

Emails released on 12 November by Republican members of the US House Oversight Committee show Chomsky describing his interactions with Epstein — who was convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution and died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges—as a "most valuable experience."

The correspondence portrays a relationship extending well beyond the occasional political discussions Chomsky, 96, had previously admitted to.

The documents indicate regular exchanges, conversations on shared interests, and even discussions about possible travel plans.

One email shows Chomsky acknowledging that he had received about $270,000 from an account linked to Epstein while resolving financial matters relating to his first marriage. Chomsky has insisted that "not one penny" came directly from Epstein himself.

Letter of support for Epstein

Perhaps the most striking revelation is an undated letter of support for Epstein attributed to Chomsky, signed with his name and title as a University of Arizona laureate professor—a position he assumed in 2017.

In the letter, reviewed by The Guardian, Chomsky wrote, "We have been in regular contact … with many long and often in-depth discussions about a very wide range of topics. It has been a most valuable experience for me."

Chomsky praised Epstein's "limitless curiosity" and claimed the financier had provided insights into global finance that even the business press could not offer. He also detailed how Epstein once called a Norwegian diplomat mid-conversation to clarify information about the Oslo Accords, and arranged for him to meet former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

The letter added that Epstein and Chomsky's second wife, Valeria Wasserman, had shared a keen interest in jazz—though with "limited success."

Offered access to Epstein's properties

A separate 2015 email shows Epstein offering Chomsky the use of his residences in New York and New Mexico, though there is no evidence Chomsky accepted. The New Mexico property is part of ongoing investigations into alleged crimes committed at Epstein's ranch compound.

Political context intensifies scrutiny

The renewed scrutiny comes after former US President Donald Trump, who once socialised with Epstein, pledged during the 2024 election campaign to release Epstein's client list.

After assuming office, his Justice Department declared that no such list existed and refused to release more case files, prompting bipartisan backlash. Amid the pressure, Trump this week signed a bill directing the Justice Department to disclose additional Epstein-related records.

Repercussions in academia

Chomsky is not the only prominent Massachusetts academic linked to Epstein in the newly released documents. Former Harvard president Larry Summers stepped down from a teaching role on Wednesday after his own email exchanges with Epstein resurfaced.

MIT, where Chomsky taught for decades, responded by saying it had already reviewed its ties with Epstein in 2020 and strengthened its rules on accepting donations.

The University of Arizona declined to comment, as did Chomsky and his wife Valeria Wasserman — who, according to the emails, once wrote to Epstein apologising for missing his birthday and expressing hope to see him again soon.

The latest disclosures add significant new detail to Chomsky's interactions with Epstein, raising fresh questions about the depth of their relationship and its implications for academic institutions connected to both men.