Noam Chomsky and his wife Valeria made a “serious mistake” and were “careless” in not fully investigating their background. Jeffrey EpsteinValeria Chomsky said in a lengthy statement Saturday, adding that Epstein had deceived them.
relationship Noam Chomsky, the 97-year-old linguist and philosopher, and Epstein are under scrutiny after documents released by the Justice Department shed light on their friendship. As Epstein came under scrutiny for sex-trafficking allegations in 2019, he asked Chomsky for advice on how to respond. “I’ve seen the horrible way you’re being treated in the press and the public. It’s sad to say, but I think the best way is to ignore it,” Chomsky said. wrote in a message Epstein signed the “nome” he shared in an email with an associate.
“What the vultures crave is a public response, which leaves them open to an onslaught of venomous attacks, many just publicity-seekers or from all sorts of cranks.” Noam Chomsky wrote in the message. “This is especially true now with the hysteria that has developed about the harassment of women, which has reached the point where even questioning the charge is a crime worse than murder.”
Noam Chomsky One of many Famous people who were revealed to be on friendly terms with Epstein even after his 2008 indictment. Many are now facing a re-examination of their relationship with the disgraced financier.
Some of Noam Chomsky’s communications with Epstein were later leaked by the Miami Herald Published a bombshell story in 2018 How Epstein preyed on underage girls and received an unusually sympathetic plea deal in 2008. On Saturday, Valeria Chomsky acknowledged that the couple read the article, but said the couple didn’t learn the extent of Epstein’s crimes until later. Second arrest in July 2019.
“We were careless in not thoroughly investigating his background. It was a terrible mistake, and for that lapse in judgment, I apologize on behalf of both of us. Noam shared with me, before his stroke, that he felt the same way,” she said (Chomsky suffered a massive stroke in 2023). “It was painful to both of us to realize that we were engaged to a man who had presented himself as a useful friend, but was concealed by criminal, inhuman and depraved acts.”
Valeria Chomsky was the linguist’s second wife; They got married in 2014.
Chomsky’s advice on rehabilitating Epstein’s image in 2019 should be understood “in context,” she said.
” Epstein claims with nom [Epstein] unjustly persecuted and Nome spoke to the media from his own experience in political conflicts. Epstein created a manipulative narrative about his case that Nome, in good faith, believed,” she said in her statement.
“Nome’s criticism was never directed at the women’s movement; on the contrary, he always supported gender equality and women’s rights. What happened was that Epstein used Nome’s public criticism of the so-called ‘concealing culture’ to portray himself as a victim,” she added.
Another message from Noam Chomsky released by the House Oversight Committee last year Chomsky said that having a “casual contact” with Epstein was a “most valuable experience” (it is unclear whether the message was sent to anyone). Other messages released by the Justice Department show Epstein sharing a phallic joke with Chomsky and Chomsky “fantasizing about a Caribbean island.”
Valeria Chomsky said the couple attended dinners at Epstein’s townhouse in New York City, stayed at his apartments there and in Paris, had dinner at his ranch in New Mexico, and attended many academic conferences with him. She said they had “never been to his island or knew anything about what happened there.”
Noam and Epstein met in 2015, and Valeria Chomsky said the couple was unaware of Epstein’s 2008 conviction for prostitution of a minor under 18 and solicitation of prostitution. Epstein presented himself as a philanthropist with an interest in science, she said.
“By presenting himself in this way, Epstein caught Nome’s attention, and they began to act relevant. Unknowingly, we opened the door to a Trojan horse,” she said. “Epstein began to surround Nome, sending gifts and creating opportunities for interesting discussions in areas where Nome was working extensively. We regret that we did not perceive this as a ploy to ensnare us and undermine the causes Nome advocated.”
Valeria Chomsky also clarified the basis of two financial transactions between Chomsky and Epstein. In one case, Epstein Chomsky Abhi Noam sent Chomsky a check for $20,000 as part of an enhanced linguistic challenge, she said. She also said Epstein helped Noam recover $270,000. Epstein helped after Noam Chomsky discovered that “the inconsistencies in his retirement resources threatened his financial independence and caused him great distress.”
Epstein offered to help and did so “so that Noam had more access. Epstein only acted as a financial advisor for this particular matter. As far as I know, Epstein never had access to our bank or investment accounts.” Neither of them — individually or as a couple — had investments in Epstein’s office, she said.
