Newly released documents show Jeffrey Epstein exchanged text messages with Del. Stacey Plaskett, Democratic delegate of the U.S. Virgin Islands, during Michael Cohen’s 2019 congressional testimony. These communications, part of a House Oversight Committee release, indicate Epstein tracked the hearing in real time and may have tried to influence Plaskett’s questioning as Cohen made allegations against then-President Donald Trump.
The texts show Epstein messaging Plaskett as Cohen testified before the House Oversight Committee in February 2019. Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney and longtime fixer, accused the then-president of directing hush-money payments, manipulating financial statements, and making racist remarks—claims Trump denied publicly, including on social media before the hearing began. As Cohen spoke, Epstein alerted Plaskett to a moment in the testimony when Cohen referenced former Trump executive assistant Rhona Graff. “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets,” Epstein wrote, misspelling Graff’s first name.
Plaskett appeared to respond quickly, indicating she was preparing to question Cohen next. “RONA??” she wrote. “Quick, I’m up next. Is that an acronym?” The messages were among thousands of pages of emails and digital correspondence recovered from Epstein’s estate and turned over to Congress this week. According to NBC News, the records reveal that Epstein maintained an active interest in discussions about Trump, with whom he had been socially connected for years before publicly distancing himself.
The documents also shed light on the shifting accounts Trump has offered over the years regarding his relationship with Epstein. While the former president has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity, he acknowledged in 2019 that the two men had crossed paths socially in the past. “I had no idea,” Trump told reporters in July of that year. “I haven’t spoken to him in many, many years.” His efforts to distance himself from Epstein resurfaced after the financier’s arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges and subsequent death in custody.
Although the name of the lawmaker texting with Epstein was redacted, investigators and reporters matched the timestamps of the messages with committee footage. The alignment, combined with the texts’ content, strongly suggests that the recipient was Plaskett. She represented the Virgin Islands during the hearing as its nonvoting delegate, a position she continues to hold.
When reached by phone on Thursday, Plaskett declined to discuss the messages and redirected questions to her congressional office. Her chief of staff, Angeline Jabbar, offered no clarification, saying she was “not in a position to confirm or not” whether Plaskett had exchanged texts with Epstein during the committee session.
However, following media reports about the documents, Plaskett’s office issued a statement acknowledging she received messages from numerous individuals during the hearing, including from Epstein. “During the hearing, Congresswoman Plaskett received texts from staff, constituents, and the public at large offering advice, support, and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein,” the statement said. It continued: “As a former prosecutor, she welcomes information that helps her get at the truth and takes on the GOP that was trying to bury the truth. The congresswoman has previously made clear her long record of combating sexual assault and human trafficking, her disgust over Epstein’s deviant behavior, and her support for his victims.”
The newly disclosed records also show that communication between Plaskett and Epstein began earlier that day. At 7:55 a.m., before the hearing started, Plaskett texted Epstein: “He’ll talk about his grades.” Epstein replied moments later, asking, “What privilege stands behind the non-release of college transcripts?” The exchange suggests Epstein was tracking potential topics of inquiry even before the witness took his seat.
The newly released records underscore Epstein’s efforts to exert influence within political circles, as evidenced by his communication with Plaskett. The House Oversight Committee continues to examine over 20,000 documents, and it is unclear if more lawmaker communications will become public. Key takeaways: Epstein attempted to manipulate congressional activity, and further disclosures remain possible.
