Jeffrey Epstein maintained frequent contact and a close connection with Tom Barrack even before the latter’s rise to Trump’s White House, where he is currently the US special envoy to Syria, correspondence from the Epstein files reveals.
At points in the exchanges, Epstein appeared to view Barrack as a possible channel through which information could be relayed to Trump. However, the available records show communications flowing only from Epstein to Barrack.
There is no indication that Epstein’s messages were passed along to Trump or that Trump communicated with Epstein through Barrack.
The exchanges included invitations to private homes, introductions to diplomats and investors, and conversations about potential business ventures. They also showed Epstein repeatedly urging Barrack to shift their discussions to encrypted messaging platforms.
The relationship continued as Barrack rose to political prominence, becoming a key fundraiser for Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, chairing the inaugural committee, and later emerging as a frequent presence at the White House.
Epstein pushed to form 'war council' to assist Trump amid Mueller investigation
Additionally, messages from the files showed that Epstein privately floated the idea that Trump should convene what he described as a “war council” to manage the fallout surrounding the Mueller investigation in 2018, correspondence from the Epstein files documents revealed.
The Mueller special counsel investigation was a criminal investigation into associates of Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding possible Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
In a message sent to an unidentified associate, Epstein appeared to reference Trump’s inner circle and suggested assembling a group of influential allies to provide strategic advice.
“I assume you are still close to Ivanka. If so, there are a few of his heavy-hitter friends that would like to help (me not included, of course). I think a war council. Schwartzman, Wynn, Rudy, Lorber, Lefrak, you, Barrack, should be called in to give suggestions. Weissleburg, Cohen, Pecker, all together, doesn’t bode well. I didn’t add Bannon, as I know Ivanka hates him. Though, as you said about bedfellows. He would be a good addition if it wasn’t for his baggage,” Epstein wrote in an email dated August 2018.
It is unclear exactly whom Epstein was referring to, but it is likely that several of the people named were Stephen Schwarzman, Steve Wynn, Rudy Giuliani, Howard Lorber, Richard LeFrak, Tom Barrack, Allen Weisselberg, David Pecker, and Steve Bannon, all known associates of the president during his first term.
There is no public indication that such a “war council” was ever formally established.