Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and political activist widely regarded as the founder of modern linguistics. Born in 1928, Chomsky developed revolutionary theories of transformational grammar and is a major figure in cognitive science and analytic philosophy. The Epstein archive documents an extensive relationship between Chomsky and Jeffrey Epstein spanning from 2015 to 2019, comprising over 7,000 emails across nearly 3,000 threads. The correspondence reveals that Chomsky and his second wife, Valeria Chomsky, sought Epstein's advice on complex family trust disputes involving Chomsky's children from his first marriage, received financial consulting services through Epstein's foundation, and met with him at his Manhattan townhouse on multiple occasions. In February 2019, Chomsky advised Epstein on managing negative press coverage, writing that "the best way to proceed is to ignore it" and characterizing media scrutiny as part of "the hysteria that has developed about abuse of women, which has reached the point that even questioning a charge is a crime worse than murder". The relationship continued despite Chomsky's awareness of Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Background#

Avram Noam Chomsky was born December 7, 1928, in Philadelphia. He received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and was hired as a professor at MIT in 1955 at age 27, where he revolutionized linguistics with his theories on syntax and grammar. His work emphasizes innate cognitive mechanisms underlying language acquisition and shifted the field's focus from observable behavior to mental systems governing linguistic ability. Chomsky joined the University of Arizona in fall 2017 as laureate professor of linguistics while maintaining his emeritus position at MIT.

Chomsky was married to Carol Doris Schatz from 1949 until her death in 2008. They had three children: Aviva (b. 1957), Diane (b. 1960), and Harry (b. 1967). In 2014, Chomsky married Valeria Wasserman, a Brazilian translator for the Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of São Paulo. The couple has owned a home in Brazil since 2015.

The relationship with Epstein became public in 2023 when the Wall Street Journal reported on meetings between Chomsky and Epstein documented in Epstein's private calendar. Additional emails released in February 2026 by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform revealed hundreds of communications showing deeper ties than previously known. Valeria Chomsky issued a statement acknowledging "serious errors in judgment" and stating they were "careless in not thoroughly researching his background." She noted that Chomsky, who suffered a massive stroke in 2023, shared this regret before his stroke.

Correspondence with Epstein#

The archive documents intensive correspondence between March 2012 and April 2019, with Chomsky appearing as sender in 2,821 emails and as recipient in 4,204 emails. The relationship began around 2015, when Chomsky was unaware of the details of Epstein's 2008 conviction, according to Valeria Chomsky's later statement.

Academic and Intellectual Exchanges

The early correspondence focused on linguistics, neuroscience, and political topics. Epstein wrote to Chomsky in June 2015: "you are of course welcome to use apt in new york with your new leisure time, or visit new Mexico again". In July 2015, Chomsky wrote to Epstein: "There are lots of people whom I like a lot and whose work I respect", adding "I rarely meet people just to talk about interesting topics and to schmooze. Too busy. It's been a pleasant and unusual break with you".

The correspondence reveals substantive discussions on linguistics theory. In June 2015, Epstein proposed to Chomsky that "language can be defined as the biological organizing principle that creates a shape space". Chomsky responded with detailed critiques of probabilistic approaches to language, noting "What you suggest is very much the model that has been current in the behavioral sciences for many years. It has a record of colossal failure".

Epstein also facilitated political discussions for Chomsky. In an undated letter of support, Chomsky wrote that "Once, when we were discussing the Oslo agreements, Jeffrey picked up the phone and called the Norwegian diplomat who supervised them, leading to a lively interchange". Epstein arranged a meeting between Chomsky and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, which Chomsky later told reporters he took to gain "a firsthand account of why talks between Israel and Palestine had failed."

Financial Consulting and Family Trust Disputes

A substantial portion of the correspondence concerns complex family disputes over estate planning and trust administration. After Chomsky's first wife Carol died in 2008, trusts were established for their children and grandchildren. Conflicts arose after Chomsky's 2014 marriage to Valeria regarding control of a marital trust and distributions from Chomsky's IRA.

By 2017-2019, the Chomskys were consulting Epstein regularly on these matters. In September 2017, Valeria wrote to Epstein: "N wants to send the letter below to his children. Suggestions?", seeking Epstein's input on correspondence addressing financial disputes. In February 2018, Valeria forwarded Epstein details of trust disputes, and Epstein replied: "awful. why take carols trust off the table. the plan was in the making for quite a while it seems".

Through March and April 2019, the correspondence intensified around court proceedings and mediations. Epstein checked in repeatedly: "what happened in court? did you need to go?" and "update re harry and court?". The Chomskys kept Epstein informed about developments with their lawyer Vincent Pisegna and mediator. Noam wrote: "He's talking to Madoff, the mediator, Monday. Max's lawyer is working with Vincent to solve this expeditiously".

In February 2019, Epstein forwarded the Chomskys a draft release agreement from his attorney Darren Indyke, noting "i would modify the, 'what you left as part of your estate? ip etc if that is your wish". The draft included provisions for releases from Chomsky's children regarding his estate plan favoring Valeria.

Advice on Media Strategy

In February 2019, as the Miami Herald's investigative series on Epstein intensified public scrutiny, Epstein sought Chomsky's counsel on crisis management. Epstein wrote: "Noam. I d love your advice on how I handle my putrid press. its is spiraling out of control. do I have someone write an oped? defend myself? or try to ignore. realizing that mobs are dangerous".

Chomsky responded at length: "Have been thinking about your letter ever since I received it this morning -- in fact, long before. Awful situation is always on my mind". He advised: "I've watched the horrible way you are being treated in the press and public. It's painful to say, but I think the best way to proceed is to ignore it". Chomsky continued: "That's particularly true now with the hysteria that has developed about abuse of women, which has reached the point that even questioning a charge is a crime worse than murder". He warned that responding publicly would "provide a public opening for an onslaught of venomous attacks, many from just publicity seekers or cranks of all sorts -- which are impossible to answer (how do you prove that you are not a neo-Nazi who wants to kill the Jews, or a rapist, or whatever charge comes along?)".

Epstein sent this advice to his attorney and publicist within two days. In March 2019, Epstein shared with Chomsky a link to a New York Times letter defending him. Chomsky replied: "Excellent letter. Hope that puts an end to this insanity".

Gratitude America Foundation Consulting Agreement

In February 2017, Epstein arranged for Chomsky to receive $20,000 from the Gratitude America Foundation to serve as a consultant and advisory board member. The consulting agreement required Chomsky to "formulate the areas of inquiry, questions, rules and procedures for, and plan, publicize and administer, a program of not less than ten (10) scientific challenges in the Specified Discipline, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence language and/or artificial linguistics". Epstein's financial manager Richard Kahn coordinated the payment, with Epstein specifying "20 k from foundation for adminstereing the chomsky challenge in linguistics".

Connections#

Chomsky's primary correspondent in the archive was Jeffrey Epstein himself, with over 4,000 shared emails. Valeria Chomsky appeared in 1,765 emails, often as a intermediary coordinating meetings and discussing the family trust disputes. Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff scheduled multiple meetings between Chomsky and Epstein, writing in May 2015: "Jeffrey is considering a trip to Harvard on June 2nd...might Noam have some time to visit with him in the afternoon?". Valeria responded: "We definitely have to arrange that. I am very enthusiastic about these meetings".

Chomsky corresponded extensively with Lawrence Krauss, the physicist who directed Arizona State University's Origins Project, which received funding from Epstein. In September 2015, the three discussed a dialogue between Chomsky and Krauss that would be edited into a volume. Krauss wrote: "Jeffrey told me about your interesting meeting the other day.. wish I could have been there to listen". Krauss invited Chomsky to an Origins workshop on "Mental Pattern Processing" in March 2016, offering to "cover all the expenses" for Chomsky and Epstein to attend.

Chomsky's interactions extended to Max Kohlenberg, his son Harry Chomsky, and daughters Diana and Avi in the context of family trust disputes. His estate attorney Deborah Pechet Quinan and Arizona lawyer Vincent Pisegna appeared in hundreds of emails coordinating legal strategy. Rich Kahn, Epstein's financial manager, facilitated the Gratitude America consulting arrangement.

In February 2019, Epstein introduced Chomsky to Steve Bannon, writing "noam and valeria - steve. you guys can deal directly". Bannon replied asking to "meet later in the afternoon tomorrow".

Document References#

Chomsky appears in twenty DOJ-released documents. An undated letter of support shows Chomsky praising Epstein's "limitless curiosity, extensive knowledge, penetrating insights and thoughtful appraisals", stating Epstein "quickly became a highly valued friend and regular source of intellectual exchange and stimulation". The documents include extended email threads on linguistic theory, category theory and AI, Iranian nuclear policy, and religious fanaticism. Multiple documents show coordination between Epstein's staff and Chomsky's legal team regarding trust administration. Financial discrepancy investigations document Valeria seeking Epstein's analysis of missing IRA distributions. Documents also capture scheduling logistics for calls between Epstein's advisor Rich Kahn and Chomsky's attorney Max Kohlenberg regarding the family trust disputes.

Visits to Epstein Properties#

Manhattan Townhouse

The archive documents multiple visits to Epstein's Manhattan residence at 9 East 71st Street:

1. June 2, 2015 - Meeting arranged through Lesley Groff, with Valeria responding she was "very enthusiastic about these meetings"
2. July 9, 2016 - Afternoon meeting at 2pm-3pm, confirmed by Valeria to Lesley Groff
3. March 5, 2016 - Afternoon appointment per Epstein's schedule, following meetings with Martin Nowak, Danny Hillis, and Joi Ito
4. March 23, 2015 - Dinner at 8:00pm with Martin Nowak, Joscha Bach, George Church and Jeffrey, per schedule, held at Charles Hotel in Cambridge
5. October 2015 - Visit with return travel arranged by Epstein's assistant, who offered to "hire a car service to take you to the airport"

New Mexico Ranch

Epstein invited Chomsky to his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in August 2015, writing "you are of course welcome to use apt in new york with your new leisure time, or visit new Mexico again". The phrasing "again" indicates at least one prior visit, though specific dates are not documented in the archive.

Little St. James Island

No visits to Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands are documented in the available archive materials.

Palm Beach Residence

No visits to Epstein's Palm Beach estate are documented in the available archive materials.

Paris Apartment

No visits to Epstein's Paris residence are documented in the available archive materials.