Thread on Epstein and Rep. Plaskett’s ties.
Epstein began supporting Plaskett's campaign in 2014, during her Democratic primary against Malone—who had publicly criticized Epstein—Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff and lawyers Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, donated to Plaskett's campaign at the urging of then-USVI First Lady de Jongh.
Epstein began supporting Plaskett's campaign in 2014, during her Democratic primary against Malone—who had publicly criticized Epstein—Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff and lawyers Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, donated to Plaskett's campaign at the urging of then-USVI First Lady de Jongh.
De Jongh, a key Epstein ally, encouraged him to back Plaskett to help secure her victory, which Epstein did through these maximum contributions. Plaskett met Epstein in person for the first time in September 2014, introduced by local attorney Erika Kellerhals.
Epstein continued donating directly: $5,400 (the federal maximum for primary and general elections) in the 2016 cycle, and the maximum allowable amount during her unopposed 2018 reelection.
In 2018, Plaskett actively solicited larger support from Epstein, emailing his assistant to invite him to a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) fundraiser and seeking a $30,000 contribution. She visited his Manhattan mansion, where he agreed but ultimately did not donate due to DCCC vetting issues.
Epstein's involvement extended to local USVI politics, where his donations helped secure benefits like tax incentives and lenient customs enforcement for his properties.
Following Epstein's 2019 arrest and death, Plaskett expressed discomfort with the contributions and pledged to donate them to USVI organizations supporting women and children, emphasizing her record as a former prosecutor combating sexual assault and human trafficking.
Newly released documents from Epstein's estate, analyzed alongside House Oversight Committee hearing footage, reveal that Epstein exchanged real-time text messages with Plaskett on February 27, 2019, during Michael Cohen's testimony about Donald Trump's business practices.
At the time, Epstein had not yet been federally charged (his arrest came in July 2019) but was a convicted sex offender from a 2008 Florida plea deal.
The texts show Epstein monitoring the hearing and providing unsolicited guidance:
- Epstein asked, “Are you chewing?” after cameras captured her habit of chewing the inside of her cheek, to which she responded “not anymore.”He further noted that Cohen had “opened the door” to probing Trump associates.
- Epstein asked, “Are you chewing?” after cameras captured her habit of chewing the inside of her cheek, to which she responded “not anymore.”He further noted that Cohen had “opened the door” to probing Trump associates.
- When Cohen mentioned "Rona" (Rhona Graff, Trump's longtime executive assistant), Epstein texted Plaskett: “Cohen brought up RONA - keeper of the secrets.” Plaskett replied, “RONA??” and “Quick I’m up next is that an acronym,” moments before her questioning round.
Epstein clarified: “Thats his assistant.” At 2:28 p.m., Plaskett asked Cohen about Graff and other Trump Organization figures, including Allen Weisselberg.
- After her questions, Epstein texted: “Good work.”
- After her questions, Epstein texted: “Good work.”
Plaskett's office described the texts as among many messages received during the hearing from staff, constituents, and others, including partisan commentary, and stressed that she welcomed factual input to pursue truth while condemning Epstein's actions and supporting his victims.
The exchange highlights Epstein's ongoing effort to engage and assist her politically, even as his influence in the USVI—where Plaskett serves as the at-large delegate—remained significant due to his properties there.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
