Who is Noam Chomsky in the Epstein files?

Noam Chomsky is an American linguist and political activist, often called 'the father of modern linguistics,' who served as Institute Professor at MIT and later Laureate Professor at the University of Arizona. The Epstein documents reveal he maintained a years-long personal friendship with Jeffrey Epstein that included direct correspondence, in-person meetings, a written testimonial praising Epstein's character, and a $270,000 financial transfer routed through an Epstein-linked account. The relationship continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction and persisted into early 2019.

Was Chomsky still in contact with Epstein after the 2008 conviction?

Yes. The documents show their friendship began around 2011, years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution. Text messages from September 2018 show Chomsky invited Epstein to Arizona, and a February 2019 message shows Chomsky asking to meet Epstein in Tucson — this was months after the November 2018 Miami Herald exposé that reignited public scrutiny of Epstein's crimes. Chomsky's wife Valeria later stated they were unaware of the extent of Epstein's crimes until his July 2019 arrest.

What was the $270,000 Epstein transfer to Chomsky?

Reports revealed that approximately $270,000 was transferred to Chomsky from an account linked to Epstein in March 2018. Chomsky's wife Valeria later explained that these were entirely Noam's own funds — that Epstein had acted solely as a financial advisor to help resolve inconsistencies in Chomsky's retirement resources. She stated Epstein never had access to their bank or investment accounts.

How did Chomsky's family respond to the Epstein revelations?

In February 2026, Valeria Chomsky issued a lengthy public statement apologizing 'on behalf of both of us' for the relationship, calling it a 'grave mistake.' She said they were 'ensnared' and 'manipulated' by Epstein, and that they were introduced to him at a professional event around 2015 when his 2008 conviction was not widely known. Noam Chomsky himself, now 97, has been unable to speak or engage publicly since suffering a severe stroke in June 2023.

Who is Noam Chomsky in the Epstein files?

Noam Chomsky is an American linguist and political activist, often called 'the father of modern linguistics,' who served as Institute Professor at MIT and later Laureate Professor at the University of Arizona. The Epstein documents reveal he maintained a years-long personal friendship with Jeffrey Epstein that included direct correspondence, in-person meetings, a written testimonial praising Epstein's character, and a $270,000 financial transfer routed through an Epstein-linked account. The relationship continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction and persisted into early 2019.

Was Chomsky still in contact with Epstein after the 2008 conviction?

Yes. The documents show their friendship began around 2011, years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution. Text messages from September 2018 show Chomsky invited Epstein to Arizona, and a February 2019 message shows Chomsky asking to meet Epstein in Tucson — this was months after the November 2018 Miami Herald exposé that reignited public scrutiny of Epstein's crimes. Chomsky's wife Valeria later stated they were unaware of the extent of Epstein's crimes until his July 2019 arrest.

What was the $270,000 Epstein transfer to Chomsky?

Reports revealed that approximately $270,000 was transferred to Chomsky from an account linked to Epstein in March 2018. Chomsky's wife Valeria later explained that these were entirely Noam's own funds — that Epstein had acted solely as a financial advisor to help resolve inconsistencies in Chomsky's retirement resources. She stated Epstein never had access to their bank or investment accounts.

How did Chomsky's family respond to the Epstein revelations?

In February 2026, Valeria Chomsky issued a lengthy public statement apologizing 'on behalf of both of us' for the relationship, calling it a 'grave mistake.' She said they were 'ensnared' and 'manipulated' by Epstein, and that they were introduced to him at a professional event around 2015 when his 2008 conviction was not widely known. Noam Chomsky himself, now 97, has been unable to speak or engage publicly since suffering a severe stroke in June 2023.

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Noam Chomsky

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2,641

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American linguist and activist (born 1928)

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Noam Chomsky maintained a personal friendship with Jeffrey Epstein from approximately 2011 until Epstein's 2019 arrest, including direct correspondence, in-person meetings, a written testimonial praising Epstein, and a $270,000 financial transfer routed through an Epstein-linked account.

Chomsky appears extensively in the documents as a direct correspondent and personal associate of Epstein. The files contain personal emails between the two discussing religion and intellectual topics (2015), text messages showing Epstein was invited to visit Chomsky in Arizona (2018) and Chomsky seeking to meet Epstein in Tucson (2019), and a glowing written testimonial in which Chomsky called Epstein 'a highly valued friend and regular source of intellectual exchange and stimulation.' Chomsky is also listed in what appears to be Epstein's draft media pitch describing intellectual salon-style conversations — 'Epstein and Noam Chomsky on memory and language' — and in a compilation of endorsements for an Epstein-affiliated online journal. Chomsky's wife Valeria also appears frequently in the documents, reflecting a joint social relationship with Epstein.

Key Highlights

•Chomsky wrote an undated testimonial calling Epstein 'a highly valued friend' who arranged meetings with diplomats and political figures including former Israeli PM Ehud Barak
•Text messages show Chomsky invited Epstein to Arizona (Sept 2018) and sought to meet Epstein in Tucson in February 2019 — months after the damning Miami Herald investigation
•A $270,000 transfer from an Epstein-linked account to Chomsky was documented; Chomsky's wife later said these were Noam's own funds and Epstein served only as a financial intermediary
•Epstein used Chomsky's name in draft media materials pitching his intellectual salon, pairing 'Epstein and Noam Chomsky on memory and language' alongside references to Larry Summers
•Email correspondence from September 2015 shows Chomsky and Epstein exchanging views on religion, with Epstein responding to Chomsky's intellectual commentary
•Chomsky contributed a testimonial endorsement to an Epstein-affiliated online journal, calling it 'conducive to creative and innovative expression'

Frequently Asked Questions

Document Mentions (20 of 3,633)

EFTA02469713.pdf

EFTA02469713

3 mentions

Thursday, February 25, 2016 10:19 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: i thought the "KNOW " luck , was

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 10:19 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: i thought the "KNOW " luck , was an intere=ting descriptive On Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 5:31 AM, Noam Chomsky &=t .>> <mailto wrote:

ry 25, 2016 10:19 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: i thought the "KNOW " luck , was an intere=ting descriptive On Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 5:31 AM, Noam Chomsky &=t .>> <mailto wrote: Trying to juggle schedules to work it=out, but know luck yet, I'm afraid. We'll be here on=the 17th. Hope to see you then.

EFTA02497004.pdf

EFTA02497004

3 mentions

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 9:09 PM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: Re: I understand the limitations of questions too far from the=boundary of contemporary thought but as you speak hebrew= i will para

ent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 9:09 PM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: Re: I understand the limitations

you speak hebrew= i will paraphrase the reason you should consider posing the questio=s now. -- If not now. when? On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 3:59 PM, Noam Chom=ky > wrote: The main questions that interest me a=e about origin of the language faculty, which, I think, created modern hum=ns, the most unusual,

EFTA02485289.pdf

EFTA02485289

3 mentions

From: Lawrence Krauss Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2015 2:39 AM To: Noam Chomsky Cc: Lawrence Krauss; Jeffrey E.; Subject: Re: the dialogue Come for the fun no matter what. We wi=l cover everything and make sure you both enjoy.

=e (Cynthia): origins.asu.edu <http://origins.asu.edu/> I&n=sp <http://krauss.faculty.asu.edu/> Sent from my=i Phone On Sep 26, 2015, at 5:15 PM, Noam Chomsky &=t =/div> mailto mailto > wrote: Should be a most interesting event.&nbs=; Don't know exactly what we'll be doing. I don =99t think I can be a p

t: Sunday, September 27, 2015 2:39 AM To: Noam Chomsky Cc: Lawrence Krauss; Jeffrey E.; Subject: Re:

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EFTA02558319.pdf

EFTA02558319

3 mentions

m: =/b>Nick Nichols Subject: =/b>RE: Income tax =ayments due Date: December 5, 2017 at 1:11:25 PM EST To: =/b>Deborah Pechet Quinan Cc: =/b>"Noam Chomsky <mailto "Richard Kahn Dear =eborah, If I send you =omething today, it would be with the major caveat that we don't =ave nearly enough information

5 PM EST To: =/b>Deborah Pechet Quinan Cc: =/b>"Noam Chomsky <mailto "Richard Kahn Dear =eborah, If I send

ery earliest convenience, =he estimated tax vouchers and payment amounts for Noam and Valeria, for =he tax payments that are currently due? raleria Chomsk :=Richard Kahn Best, Deborah Deborah Pechet Quinan, Esq. LL.M. Shareholder Chair, Trusts & Estates =roup 255 State Street, 7th Floor I Boston,

EFTA02399062.pdf

EFTA02399062

3 mentions

ew this email as a web page, go here. <http://click.e.asu.edu/?qs=3c947ad016c8983520d06a236d57af440ac413ac8378c44592db4f7b9139ec3fa> 22 March 2015: Noam Chomsky & Lawrence Krauss @ Gammage Auditorium <http://image.e.asu.edu/liblle8d13727567037b7c/m/Vinvitationgray.jpeg> <http://click.e.asu.edu/?qs=3c947ad016c

Krauss Science, Mind, & Politics an Origins Project Dialogue Sunday, 22 March 2015 @ 7.00 pm Gammage Auditorium at ASU Join intellectual giants Noam Chomsky <http://click.e.asu.edungs=3c947ad016c89835905a39d465cce952e3a3df1a97738b86c13320674da53535> and Lawrence Krauss <http://click.e.asu.eduPos=3c947a

ac8378c44592db4f7b9139ec3fa> 22 March 2015: Noam Chomsky & Lawrence Krauss @ Gammage Auditorium <http://i

EFTA00144344.pdf

EFTA00144344

3 mentions

who had three meetings scheduled with Epstein in 2014. Jeffrey Epstein's Private Calendar: CIA Director William Burns. Goldman Sachs's Top Lawyer. Noam Chomsky - WSl. As detailed below, in response to Ms. clear-eyed, prescient report, and despite subsequent repeated red flags that Epstein trafficked girls and

rector William Burns. Goldman Sachs's Top Lawyer. Noam Chomsky - WSl. As detailed below, in response to Ms. c

r William Burns. Goldman Sachs's Top Lawyer. Noam Chomsky - WSl. As detailed below, in response to Ms. c

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EFTA02467162.pdf

EFTA02467162

3 mentions

From: Valeria Chomsky Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 6:17 PM To: Matthew Mazotas; Nick Nichols Cc: Noam Chomsky Subject: Bank Information for Estimated Taxes Payment Bank Name 4, Q Bankof America Bank Address 40 Q 1761 Massachusetts Avenue Swift Co

mated Taxes Payment Bank Name 4, Q Bankof America Bank Address 40 Q 1761 Massachusetts Avenue Swift Code 4* Q Account Holder Name 4> NoamChomsky Account Holder Number 4) Valeria Chomsky =/div> 1 EFTA_R1_01575949 EFTA02467162

From: Valeria Chomsky Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 6:17 PM To: Mat

EFTA02547490.pdf

EFTA02547490

3 mentions

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, December 15, 2017 1:44 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: FW: Carol S. Chomsky Marital Trusts - Distribution just say , please be very specifit ,Q do you want a balance sheet. ? projected ca

ah Pechet Quinan=/b> <[email protected] <mailtc > Date: Thu, Dec 14, 2017 at 3:27 PM Subject:=RE: FW: Carol S. Chomsky Marital Trusts - Distribution To: Noam Chomsky= Cc: "Valeria Chomsk href="mailto Dear Noam,<=span> <= "Richard Kahn Financial planning may be=the wrong term for Max to have used. As I recall Nick

nt: Friday, December 15, 2017 1:44 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: FW: Carol S. Chomsky Marital Trust

EFTA02668726.pdf

EFTA02668726

3 mentions

From: Valeria Chomsky Sent: Friday, November 25, 2016 10:12 PM To: jeffrey E. Cc: Noam Chomsky Subject: Fwd: Dear Jeffrey, We had a wonderful day. V=ldson took good care of us. Drove us to the Louvre, went to pick us up, br=ught us to your

ome quiet moments. Valeria Forwarded message F=om: jeffrey E. <[email protected]=m> Date: Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 8:30 AM Subject: To:=Valeria Chomsky > lese=y is coordinating 1 EFTA_R1_01920955 EFTA02668726 please note The information contained in this=communication is confidential, may b

leria Chomsky 8t1> > Date: Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 8:44 AM Sub=ect: Fwd: To: "jeffrey E." <[email protected] <mailto:jeevacation@=mail.com>> Cc: Noam Chom=ky < › Dear Jeffrey, <=iv>Thank you so much! You are the best! Onl= you to provide us some quiet moments. Valeria Forwarded message F=om: jef

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EFTA02562432.pdf

EFTA02562432

3 mentions

0022 tel fax cel Begin forwarded message: From: =/b>Harry Chomsk Subject: =/b>Re: time Date: =/b>November 27, 2017 at 10:05:36 =M EST To: =/b>Noam Chomsky Cc: Max Kohlenberg Richard Kahn I'd be available =carting at 3:20 Eastern time today. On Mon, Nov 27, 2017 at 7:01 AM, =oam Chomsky wrote: Richard

EST To: =/b>Noam Chomsky Cc: Max Kohlenberg Richard Kahn I'd be available =carting at 3:20 Eastern time today. On Mon, Nov 27, 2017 at 7:01 AM, =oam Chomsky wrote: Richard Kahn suggested 10-11 or 3.4 (East Coast time) today =or a phone conversation. Can you work out this? Noam EFTA_R1_01724356 EFTA0

ovember 27, 2017 at 10:05:36 =M EST To: =/b>Noam Chomsky Cc: Max Kohlenberg Richard Kahn I'd be availab

EFTA02569578.pdf

EFTA02569578

3 mentions

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 3, 2017 3:25 PM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: she needs to be replaced/ !!! sorry, you should write to her that you would like to know the process to regain control of the trus

ent: Friday, November 3, 2017 3:25 PM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: she needs to be replaced/ !!! sor

regain control of the trust as max has said he will agree to resi=n if asked. . something here is odd =oam. sorry On Fri, Nov 3, 2017 at 11:10 AM, Noam Chomsky &=t; > wrote: I can write her to ask her to send both of us the passwords, and to Fede= the hard copy to us. Would that be the best way to pro=eed?

EFTA02446992.pdf

EFTA02446992

3 mentions

ould you please let me know, if=i can take some legal action about this? It is TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS.</=iv> Valeria =/div> Forwarded message F=om: Noam Chomsk «= href="mailto target="_blank" > Date: Sat, Jul 7, 2018 at 9:58 PM Subject: Fwd: Petit=on with the Court To: Valeria Chomsky =br> Print this.

ia Chomsky =br> Print this. Forwarded message From: Harry Chomsky < Dat=: Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 10:08 AM Subject: Petition with the Court To: =oam Chomsky <n To=ay I filed a petition with the Court in Massachusetts to ask for assistanc= in appointing a new independent trustee to replace Max. You will r

Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2018 9:35 AM To: Valeria Chomsky Subject: Re: Petition with the Court yes, i th

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EFTA02584013.pdf

EFTA02584013

3 mentions

ttp://www.riw.c=m/attorney/deborah-pechet-quinanh =/span> From: Max Kohl=nberg [mailto:com <mailto ] Sent: Monday, October 16, 2017 7:27 AM To: 'Noam Chomsky' Cc: Deborah Pechet Quinan Subject: RE: IP Good morning Noam Q=93 I will need to retrieve s=veral of your files on this subject. (I believe some a

From: Valeria Chomsky Sent: Monday, October 16, 2017 1:33 PM To: Je

. Subject: Fwd: IP </= iv> Forwarded message F=om: Deborah Pechet Quinan <[email protected] Date: Mo=, Oct 16, 2017 at 9:28 AM Subject: RE: IP To: Noam Chomsky Cc: Gene L=ndy sognalll <mailto >, Max Kohlenberg= <mailto: =gt;, "Valeria Chomsky (v <mailt < <mailto: >, Jayne Mahoney < Dear Noam,<=span> M

EFTA02554781.pdf

EFTA02554781

3 mentions

w Y=rk, NY 10022 Begin forwarded mess=ge: From: Noam Chomsky &=t <mailto =ate: December 28, 2017 at 1:10:55

k, NY 10022 Begin forwarded mess=ge: From: Noam Chomsky &=t <mailto =ate: December 28, 2017 at 1:10:55

stein Subject: Fwd: taxes Richard Kahn HBRK Associates Inc. 5=5 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor New Y=rk, NY 10022 Begin forwarded mess=ge: From: Noam Chomsky &=t <mailto =ate: December 28, 2017 at 1:10:55 PM EST To: Deborah Pechet Q=inan Cc: Ric=ard Kahn <richardkahn12@gmail=com <mailto: <mailto:valeria

EFTA02546911.pdf

EFTA02546911

3 mentions

chard Kahn Thursday, December 14, 2017 6:03 PM jeffrey E. Fwd: Carol S. Chomsky Marital Trusts - Distribution Begin forwarded message: From: =/b>Noam Chomsky c > Subject: =/b>Re: FW: Carol S. =homsky Marital Trusts - Distribution Date: =/b>December 14, 2017 at 12:38:20 =M EST To: =/b>Deborah Pechet Quin

ember 14, 2017 6:03 PM jeffrey E. Fwd: Carol S. Chomsky Marital Trusts - Distribution Begin forwarded me

Carol S. =homsky Marital Trusts - Distribution Date: =/b>December 14, 2017 at 12:38:20 =M EST To: =/b>Deborah Pechet Quinan •z 3, Cc: = b>"Valeria Chomsk " , "Richard Kahn Acknowledging =tem 2, as you suggest, is OK except for one qualification. Max =rites that he had "previously been assured (prio

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EFTA02599810.pdf

EFTA02599810

3 mentions

From: Noam Chomsky e > Sent: Monday, July 9, 2018 10:06 PM To: J

t that you will nee= to protect sny future client of his or gis firm from the sbuse you have s=ffered st their hands On Mon, Jul 9, 2018 at 5:30 PM Noam Chom=ky <mailto wrote: Below the letter ='d like to send to Max, with your suggestions, including today's.* Can you take a quick look and see whether

From: Noam Chomsky e > Sent: Monday, July 9, 2018 10:06 PM To: Jeffrey E. Cc: Valeria Chomsky Subject: Re: Marital Trusts Good idea. I'll add that, and then send

EFTA02571404.pdf

EFTA02571404

3 mentions

y is gone and nothing from Deborah yet. Forwarded message From: Deborah Pechet Quina Date: Sat, Nov 4, 2017 at 7:03 PM Subject: Re: Trusts To: Noam Chomsky Cc: Gene Tandy Valeria Chomsky Dear Noam I was not able to respond to you today as I was not home and was not able to access my office system through

am, I will respond to your email below tomorrow. Best, Deborah Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse brevity and typos. On Nov 3, 2017, at 8:16 PM, Noam Chomsk rote: Rich Kahn said that Max would resign if asked. Could you let me know what steps I should therefore take to regain control of the trusts? Pl

From: Valeria Chomsky Sent: Monday, November 6, 2017 4:35 AM To: Je

EFTA02344527.pdf

EFTA02344527

3 mentions

ays wanted to know a movie star. EFTA_R1_01313556 EFTA02344527 Noam From: Lawrence =rauss [mailto Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2016 =:23 PM To: Noam Chomsky Cc: ; =effrey E. <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Happy new year. Here is a little New Years present. Would =ave mentio

coding and Generating Patterns: Language, Reasoning, and Creativity Barbara Landau "Language, Maps, and the Patterns of Human Communication" =/span>Noam Chomsky Title TBD Tamiko Azuma "Semantic Cognition within Healthy and Impaired Aging Parameters" =/span>Arthur Glenberg "Mirror Neuron =ystem Adaptation th

the Patterns of Human Communication" =/span>Noam Chomsky Title TBD Tamiko Azuma "Semantic Cognition withi

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EFTA02377341.pdf (email 3: FW: State of Residency)

EFTA02377341_email_003

3 mentions

onal travels). Valeria Forwarded messa e From: Nick Nichols Date: Thu, Sep 28, 2 at : Subject: FW: State of Residency To: "Valeria Chomskv "Noam Chomsky Cc: Matthew Mazotas Dear Noam & Valeria, Time is running out for the tax filing deadline for =our 2016 income tax returns. We haven't received any re

can hear from you soon.</=> Thanks, Nick From: Nick Nichols Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2017 3:54 PM To: 'Kathleen O'Malley' Matthew Mazot=s Noam Chomskv Valeria Chomsky 6 EFTA_R1_01387779 EFTA02377346 Subject: RE: Quarterly Estimates Dear Noam and Valeria, Congratulations on your move to Arizo

t your voice mailbox has not been set up. Thanks, Nick From: Nick Nichols Sent: Thursday, September 21 2017 1:30 PM To: Valeria Chomsky >; N=am Chomsky Cc: Matthew Mazotas 5 EFTA_R1_01387778 EFTA02377345 Subject: State of Residency Dear Noam and Valeria, Following up on Matt's email for 2016,

EFTA02567056.pdf

EFTA02567056

3 mentions

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2018 10:55 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: nothing attached. On Thu, Jul 5, 2018 at 1:34 AM, Noam Chom=ky < To make sure I understand. A letter like th=s? > wrote: Could be

Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2018 10:55 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: nothing attached. On Thu, Jul 5,

<[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2018 10:55 AM To: Noam Chomsky Subject: Re: nothing attached. On Thu, Jul 5, 2018 at 1:34 AM, Noam Chom=ky < To make sure I understand. A letter like th=s? > wrote: Could be please let me=know exactly what information you would want in the event that

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Connected Entities(20 of 2,641)

Jeffrey Epstein