A single 2013 fundraising email turned into a full-blown floor fight in Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jeffrey Epstein became linked in headlines after Oversight Republicans released documents showing a campaign solicitation sent to Epstein on Jeffries’ behalf. Here’s what the record actually shows, separate from the political noise around it.
How the Story Surfaced
A batch of Epstein-related files released in November 2025 included a campaign funding solicitation sent from a firm representing Jeffries to Epstein in 2013. The release came amid a broader congressional push to publish more of Epstein’s communications with government officials and others connected to the investigation. BloombergBloomberg
House Oversight Chairman James Comer raised the email publicly, accusing Jeffries’ campaign of soliciting money from Epstein. Jeffries pushed back hard, calling the accusation false.
What the 2013 Email Says
Who Sent It
The solicitation came from a fundraising firm working on Jeffries’ behalf, not from Jeffries personally. During an MS NOW interview, host Lawrence O’Donnell clarified that the email was sent by someone named Lisa Rossi, not by Jeffries himself. NBC Newsaol
What It Asked For
The email, dated May 7, 2013, described Jeffries as one of the rising stars in the New York congressional delegation and a staunch supporter of President Obama. It told recipients that Jeffries was encouraging his friends to participate in a DCCC and DSCC fundraising dinner with President Obama, and invited Epstein to get involved or get to know Jeffries better. O’Donnell noted this is the kind of mass fundraising email that goes out by the thousands, introducing the candidate to recipients on the assumption they don’t already know him. NBC News + 2
Importantly, the solicitation came years after Epstein had already registered as a sex offender in 2010 and pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges. NBC News
Comer vs. Jeffries: The Public Clash
The dispute escalated quickly into a personal back-and-forth on the House floor and in media interviews.
- Comer’s claim — Comer read the email aloud in the Congressional Record, saying Jeffries’ campaign reached out directly to Epstein soliciting campaign dollars. CNBC
- Jeffries’ denial Jeffries called Comer a “stone cold liar,” asking whether it was a serious accusation that he had Epstein over for dinner or accepted his money. NBC News
- The “no recollection” response Jeffries said he had no knowledge of what any prior consultant may have sent on his behalf.
- Comer’s rebuttal Comer maintained the email “speaks for itself” and called on Jeffries to own up to the solicitation. CNBC
What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Disputed
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Email was sent to Epstein in 2013 | Confirmed, documented in Oversight files |
| Email was sent by Jeffries personally | Not confirmed — sent by a fundraising firm |
| Epstein donated money to Jeffries | ABC News found no records of donations from Epstein to Jeffries or affiliated groups NBC News |
| Jeffries accused of wrongdoing | Jeffries has never been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein NBC News |
| Jeffries’ current position on files | Jeffries has called for full release of files related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell Bloomberg |
The Broader Epstein Files Context
This single email is one small piece of a much larger document release. Other lawmakers have faced similar scrutiny. Delegate Stacey Plaskett faced a censure vote after newly surfaced text messages showed she exchanged messages with Epstein during February 2019 congressional testimony. When pressed by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on whether messaging with a registered sex offender was appropriate, Jeffries declined to answer directly, noting Plaskett hadn’t violated any House rule and had denounced Epstein. Fox NewsFox News
Congress has faced broader pressure around its handling of sexual abuse allegations connected to the Epstein investigation, with calls for stronger reporting protections from members on both sides of the aisle. aol
Key Facts to Know
- The 2013 email was a routine campaign fundraising solicitation, not a personal message from Jeffries.
- No financial records show Epstein ever donated to Jeffries or his affiliated committees.
- Jeffries has publicly supported releasing the full Epstein files.
- The accusation became a flashpoint in a broader partisan fight over how Congress handles Epstein-related disclosures.
FAQ
1. Did Hakeem Jeffries personally email Jeffrey Epstein?
No. The 2013 solicitation was sent by a fundraising firm working on his campaign’s behalf, not by Jeffries directly.
2. Did Epstein ever donate to Jeffries’ campaign?
No public donation records have surfaced. ABC News reported finding no evidence of any donations from Epstein to Jeffries or affiliated groups.
3. Has Jeffries been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein?
No formal accusation of wrongdoing has been made. The dispute centers on a routine fundraising email, not any allegation of misconduct.
4. What is Jeffries’ public stance on the Epstein files?
He has called for the full release of all files connected to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
5. Why did this become a major story in late 2025?
House Oversight Republicans released a batch of Epstein-related documents that included the 2013 solicitation, prompting Chairman James Comer to publicly confront Jeffries about it.
6. Is this connected to other lawmakers named in Epstein files?
Yes. Delegate Stacey Plaskett faced separate scrutiny over text messages exchanged with Epstein, which led to a censure vote in the House.
Final Thoughts
The Hakeem Jeffries-Jeffrey Epstein story boils down to one fundraising email from 2013, sent by campaign staff, with no documented financial connection between the two men. It became a political flashpoint largely because of the ongoing fight over how much of the Epstein files Congress actually releases. As more documents surface, expect more names and more disputes over context to follow.
