Epstein Files bombshell: Noam Chomsky advised sex offender to brush off public fury

Emails cited by The Telegraph suggest that Chomsky described the criticism Epstein faced in the press and public as a “nuisance” and advised him that the best course of action was to disregard it.

“… the horrible way you are being treated in the press and public. It’s painful to say, but I think the best way to proceed is to ignore it,” Chomsky wrote, as quoted by the newspaper, adding that responding publicly would only invite further attacks.

Chomsky further argued that public responses often fuel what he termed “venomous attacks,” many of which he claimed came from publicity seekers or individuals making unprovable accusations.

The emails also included Chomsky’s criticism of what he described as a climate of “hysteria” around abuse allegations, suggesting that even questioning a charge had become socially unacceptable. He wrote that for many observers, the reaction was often “where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

The claims have surfaced amid the US Justice Department’s release of more than three million pages of investigative material related to Epstein, including documents, photographs, and videos. Officials said additional time was needed to redact sensitive information to protect victims, even though the statutory deadline for release was December 19, 2025.

Democrats have accused the department of withholding further documents, claiming the total volume of records may be closer to six million pages.

The document release has reignited political controversy in the United States. While earlier efforts during the Trump administration reportedly resisted making public files that could link Epstein to powerful figures — including politicians, business leaders, royals, and celebrities — the newly released material has also renewed scrutiny of alleged links involving former US President Bill Clinton, billionaire Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and current US President Donald Trump. Inclusion in the documents does not imply wrongdoing.

Epstein, a wealthy financier, was convicted in 2008 in a sexual abuse case and was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors. He died by suicide in a New York jail while awaiting trial, a death that fuelled widespread controversy and conspiracy theories.

At the centre of ongoing scrutiny are the Epstein Files — including court records, flight logs, contact lists, and unsealed civil lawsuit documents — whose gradual release has intensified questions over how Epstein allegedly operated for years and whether influential individuals were shielded from accountability.