Jeffrey Epstein closely monitored Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 Supreme Court confirmation process and even suggested Republicans should have more aggressively questioned Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, according to emails and text messages released by the Department of Justice.
Epstein’s Commentary on the Confirmation
The released communications show Epstein believed Ford’s allegations could potentially derail Kavanaugh’s confirmation. On September 22, 2018, Epstein wrote to a redacted individual, stating “Ive sat in Kavanaugh chair. Im thinking of November,” the meaning of which remains unclear.
Epstein characterized the upcoming judiciary hearing as “a trap!”, adding that he had “been through many of these. MANY!! She will cry, make sordid allegations. Say she feels bullied, fearful, traumatized. Every thing bad in her life was s result of the rape attempt. Suffered anxiety! Her relationships with men etc. this is a very special skill set needed.”
Ford testified before the Senate on September 26, 2018, alleging that Kavanaugh pinned her on a bed, groped and ground against her, and attempted to remove her clothing during a gathering in the summer of 1982, when both were teenagers. She stated she believed Kavanaugh intended to rape her. Kavanaugh denied the allegations. The Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee appointed Rachel Mitchell to question Ford.
Epstein criticized the choice of Mitchell, writing on September 27, 2018, “horrible choice of prosecutor woman. critical and maybe lethal mistake. . prosecutors don’t cross examine. they prosecute.. power on their side . she should have been a criminal defense attorney.” He then outlined questions he believed Ford should have been asked, including inquiries about a “history of anxiety” in her family, the lighting in the bedroom, and how she left the party.
Ford had acknowledged gaps in her recollection of the event but maintained the clarity of the alleged assault. Epstein also suggested questioning Ford about discrepancies between her account and “therapist notes.”
Reaction to the Messages
Lisa Graves, a former chief counsel for nominations at the Senate judiciary committee, described Epstein’s messages as “appalling,” noting his history as a “sexual predator” and the context of a woman testifying about alleged abuse. “It is shocking in part because you have this person who was at the center of efforts to abuse young women and girls and you have an adult woman testifying how she was allegedly treated by Kavanaugh and his friend, at an age when she was still a girl,” Graves said.
Connections to Kenneth Starr
The files contain no evidence that Kavanaugh knew or met Epstein. However, Epstein was in frequent contact with Kenneth Starr, the late former US solicitor general who led the investigation into Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Kavanaugh served as an associate to Starr during that investigation.
Starr, who died in 2022, was a close personal and professional contact of Epstein and played a key role in securing a 2008 plea agreement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal sex-trafficking charges. On August 23, 2018, Epstein inquired with Starr about a forthcoming report related to Kavanaugh and the Starr investigation. Starr responded that the release “should be a non-event for Brett,” adding he would face criticism but no finding of illegality.
Epstein praised Starr’s “genius” after reviewing Kavanaugh’s “disclosure” on August 26, 2018. This followed the release of a National Archives memo on August 20, 2018, detailing Kavanaugh’s role on Starr’s team and a list of graphic sexual questions he proposed for Clinton.
On September 17, 2018, Kathy Ruemmler, who recently announced her departure as general counsel of Goldman Sachs in June, asked Epstein if he was aware that Beth Wilkinson was representing Kavanaugh.
Earlier emails indicated Epstein favored Kavanaugh for nomination by Donald Trump, calling him his “first choice” in a message to Starr on July 4, 2018, days before the official announcement.
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