Valeria Chomsky said she and her husband, linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky, made a “grave mistake” and were “careless” in failing to examine Jeffrey Epstein’s background before befriending him, The Guardian reported Sunday.
Chomsky, 97, and his wife appeared in the Epstein files in connection with assistance provided to Epstein in 2019. In a lengthy statement published Saturday, Valeria said the disgraced financier had deceived them.
The most recent release of Epstein-related documents revealed that Chomsky maintained a friendship with him and, in 2019, offered advice on how to respond to sex-trafficking accusations.
“I’ve watched 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 in a message to Epstein, signing it “Noam.” Epstein later forwarded the message to an associate.
“What the vultures dearly want is a public response, which then provides a public opening for an onslaught of venomous attacks, many from just publicity seekers or cranks of all sorts,” Noam Chomsky wrote.
“That’s particularly true now with the hysteria that has developed about abuse of women, which has reached the point that even questioning a charge is a crime worse than murder.”
A friendship that cost Chomsky’s credibility
Valeria said her husband advised Epstein in 2019 on how to rehabilitate his public image, arguing the matter should be understood in proper “context.”
“Noam’s criticism was never directed at the women’s movement; on the contrary, he has always supported gender equity and women’s rights. What happened was that Epstein took advantage of Noam’s public criticism towards what came to be known as ‘cancelling culture’ to present himself as a victim of it,” she said.
She acknowledged that the couple conducted two financial transactions with Epstein, citing financial need. According to her statement, Epstein offered assistance after discovering “inconsistencies in his retirement resources that threatened his economic independence and caused him great distress.” She later concluded the offer was a “machination” to draw her closer to her husband.
Valeria said they never held investments with Epstein’s office.
Despite defending Chomsky, she admitted the couple had been “careless” in overlooking Epstein’s background and later realized they had been manipulated by someone leading a hidden, criminal, and inhumane life.
Although Epstein had claimed to Noam that he was being unfairly persecuted, Noam spoke from his own experience in political controversies with the media. Epstein created a manipulative narrative about his case, which Noam, in good faith, believed in,” she said.
She added that Epstein orchestrated a strategy to use someone from Chomsky’s youth to repair his reputation “by association.”
Last year, Chomsky described it in a message released by the House as the “most valuable experience” to have “regular contact” with Epstein. It remains unclear whether the message was ever sent.
Valeria confirmed the couple had a close relationship with Epstein, attending dinners at his New York townhouse, staying at his apartments in New York and Paris, dining at his ranch in New Mexico, and participating in academic gatherings with him.
According to her, they were unaware of Epstein’s true nature. “We never went to his island or knew about anything that happened there,” she said, adding that he had presented himself as a philanthropist interested in science.
“By presenting himself this way, Epstein gained Noam’s attention, and they began corresponding. Unknowingly, we opened a door to a Trojan horse,” she said.
“Epstein began to encircle Noam, sending gifts and creating opportunities for interesting discussions in areas Noam has been working on extensively. We regret that we did not perceive this as a strategy to ensnare us and to try to undermine the causes Noam stands for,” Valeria said.