US Vice President JD Vance has claimed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appeared to have connections with senior figures in both American and Israeli intelligence, while also admitting the Trump administration mishandled its communication over the release of Epstein-related files.
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Speaking during an interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Vance said Epstein “clearly had connections” to the highest levels of American intelligence and elements of what he described as the Israeli “deep state.” His remarks came after Rogan raised long-standing public speculation about Epstein’s alleged links to intelligence agencies, including Israel’s Mossad.
Vance did not provide evidence for the claims but argued that Epstein maintained relationships across the political spectrum in the United States. He also suggested Epstein’s reported Israeli connections were stronger with left-leaning political circles than with conservative figures.
The vice president acknowledged criticism over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files, saying officials “mishandled” public communication regarding the release of documents. He said the files should have been made public more quickly after necessary reviews and redactions to protect victims’ identities.
The US Justice Department recently released millions of pages of documents, videos and images under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law last year. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide, though the case has continued to attract widespread public scrutiny and speculation.
Read More: Epstein files displayed in New York exhibition
During the same podcast, Vance also claimed that some individuals within the Israeli government attempted to influence American public opinion against a US-backed agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. He said foreign governments often seek to influence US policy, but stressed that such efforts become concerning when they affect American political decision-making.
Israeli officials did not immediately respond to Vance’s comments.