Politics
The story behind Epstein’s relationship to Chomsky
The wealthy, high-profile contacts of late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein surprises no one. From one US president to another, billionaires to yet more billionaires, Israeli war criminals to British politicians, and transatlantic fascists to royalty — it makes sense. But one big shock has been Epstein’s apparent friendship with Noam Chomsky.
What we know about Chomsky’s relationship with Epstein
For decades, Chomsky railed against US imperialism, and its propping up of a settler-colonial system, “worse than apartheid” in occupied Palestine.
He exposed the hypocrisy of Western media propaganda and called out its cynical smears against progressive movements.
Even though Epstein was apparently a charismatic charmer with sociopathic traits who could “go between different cultures and networks“, Chomsky’s positions might make you think he’d never socialise with multi-millionaires like Epstein. But whether through awful judgement or hypocrisy, he did.
It appears, as pundits contend, that Chomsky had reportedly maintained a very “close friendship” with Epstein even after the latter’s imprisonment in 2008. And the academic’s support for free speech and the fact he has unapologetically “met and corresponded with everyone” — including war criminals — does not explain the level of warmth in their interactions.
Chomsky once said his dealings with Epstein were mostly financial. But new communications releases show that:
- The two spoke about dinner and holiday plans, while sharing jokes and affectionate exchanges.
- Epstein served as a social and political connector, linking Chomsky up with prominent far-right figure Steve Bannon and Israeli war criminal Ehud Barak.
- Epstein made numerous payments to Chomsky and his relatives. Chomsky’s wife called Epstein a “very dear friend”, and even a “hero” at one point.
- While there’s no evidence he went to Epstein’s island, Chomsky insisted he was “eager” to. And in one response to an invitation, he said “I’m really fantasizing about the Caribbean island”.
- Chomsky gave Epstein advice in 2019 about how to deal with the sex-crime allegations against him. His words seemed to downplay the accusations and treat Epstein like the victim. He described “a hysteria that has developed about abuse of women” that could cause “torture and distress” to someone like Epstein.
Countless academics needed money and linked up with Epstein for financial reasons. The serial rapist, on the other hand, collected connections in exchange for information or favours. He was curious about genetics and how other people could serve his interests.
Epstein may have pulled Chomsky in, but the academic stuck around. And Chomsky either refused to accept his friend was a criminal (disbelieving the women who called him out in the process), or he simply cared more about Epstein.
Chomsky, meanwhile, didn’t just look the other way on Epstein.
Fellow academic Lawrence Krauss also faced accusations from numerous women, asked Epstein for advice on how to deal with them. He said he would trust Epstein’s words over those of the women accusing the multi-millionaire. Chomsky, meanwhile, continued to appear publicly with Krauss despite the allegations against him.
“Unforgiveable”
Journalist Matt Kennard, who has interviewed Chomsky on numerous occasions, responded to the latest revelations by saying the academic’s:
consorting with Epstein is unforgiveable
As philosopher Émile Torres added:
Chomsky has shown a clear pattern of poor judgment and low moral standards.
Author Vijay Prashad, meanwhile, insisted:
There is no defence for this, in my view, no context that can explain this outrage.
He also clarified that, in addition to Epstein being a sex offender, the multi-millionaire:
was a man of the Far Right and a Zionist
Epstein’s connection with Israel is clear, though we don’t know all the details. It’s not just that the father of his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, was reportedly an Israeli “superspy“. Numerous sources highlight his own apparent connections to Israel and its intelligence agency too.
Epstein’s work in the arms trade reportedly saw him work with numerous governments. And he often bragged about how he advised dodgy regimes around the world, while:
making a fortune out of arms, drugs, and diamonds.
In short, the corruption in the world’s economic system seemed to reward his sociopathic personality and lack of a moral compass. And apparently, the settler-colonial regime of Israel did too.
Because of how Epstein represents so much of what Chomsky spent his career criticising, his friendship with the sex offender will leave a shameful stain on his legacy.
Featured image via the Canary