Jeffrey Epstein Monitored Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation, Emails Reveal

Emails and text messages released by the Department of Justice indicate that Jeffrey Epstein closely monitored Brett Kavanaugh's 2018 Supreme Court confirmation process. During this period, Epstein expressed sympathy for Kavanaugh and suggested Republicans should have taken a tougher stance against Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

Epstein's Commentary on the Judiciary Hearing

On September 22, 2018, Epstein communicated, "Ive sat in Kavanaugh chair. Im thinking of November." The meaning of this "November" reference was not clarified in the released communications.

"Ive sat in Kavanaugh chair. Im thinking of November."

Epstein described the judiciary hearing as "a trap!", noting his experience with such situations. He anticipated that Ford would make emotional and serious allegations, portraying herself as traumatized, and emphasized that a specific skill set was required to handle such testimony.

Critique of Republican Strategy

Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor, testified before the Senate on September 26, 2018. She alleged that Kavanaugh had assaulted her in 1982 when they were teenagers; Kavanaugh denied these allegations. Epstein criticized the Republican senators' decision to appoint a female prosecutor, Rachel Mitchell, to question Ford.

On September 27, 2018, he wrote:

"horrible choice of prosecutor woman. critical and maybe lethal mistake."

Epstein also listed questions he believed Ford should have been asked. These included inquiries about a "history of anxiety" in her family, the specific lighting conditions in the bedroom, whether she had seen Kavanaugh again, and how she left the party. Ford had stated she could not recall all details of that day but maintained clarity regarding the alleged assault. Epstein also mentioned that Ford should have been questioned about alleged discrepancies between "therapist notes" and her account.

Lisa Graves, a Democrat and former chief counsel for nominations at the Senate judiciary committee, described the communications as concerning.

No Direct Link to Kavanaugh

No evidence in the released files suggests Kavanaugh knew or met Epstein directly.

The Kenneth Starr Connection

However, Epstein was in regular communication with Kenneth Starr, the former US solicitor general and independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton. Kavanaugh served as an associate to Starr during that investigation. Starr, who died in 2022, was a close contact of Epstein and assisted him with a 2008 plea agreement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal sex-trafficking charges.

Key interactions between Epstein and Starr concerning Kavanaugh included:

• August 23, 2018: Epstein reportedly asked Starr about an upcoming report concerning Kavanaugh and the Starr investigation. Starr replied that the release should be a "non-event for Brett."
• August 26, 2018: Days later, Epstein praised Starr's work after reading a Kavanaugh "disclosure." This likely referred to a memo released by the National Archives and Records Administration on August 20, 2018, which detailed Kavanaugh's role on Starr's team during the Clinton investigation and included graphic sexual questions Kavanaugh thought Clinton should be asked.
• September 17, 2018: Kathy Ruemmler, general counsel of Goldman Sachs at the time, asked Epstein if he was aware that Beth Wilkinson was representing Kavanaugh.

Earlier emails also indicated that Epstein considered Kavanaugh his "first choice" for the Supreme Court nomination.

Epstein considered Kavanaugh his "first choice" for the Supreme Court nomination, exchanging messages with Starr about it on July 4, 2018, days before the official announcement.