Controversy Surrounds Donations to Rep. Zeldin
In a heated exchange, Rep. Jasmine Crockett declared her intention to “expose everything,” alleging that former Rep. Lee Zeldin received contributions from “someone named Jeffrey Epstein.” She claimed to have quickly found evidence linking Zeldin to the late sex offender who died in prison in August 2019.
Crockett pointed to records from the Federal Election Commission indicating that two individuals named Jeffrey Epstein made donations to Zeldin during his time in the House of Representatives. Notably, one of these donations came from Dr. Jeffrey Epstein of Manhasset, New York, who contributed a total of $1,000 in April and August of 2020, months after the infamous Epstein’s death.
Another Jeffrey Epstein, associated with a beverage company in New Brunswick, New Jersey, donated $600 in February 2020, about six months posthumously to the more infamous Epstein.
Records from the Federal Election Commission dating back to 2012 do not reveal any donations from individuals linked to sex trafficking, despite Crockett’s assertions. Her office did not respond to requests for clarification regarding the apparent confusion about the donors.
Crockett’s comments came amid Republican efforts to shift blame onto Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett from the Virgin Islands, who had lost her election bid. She highlighted that many prominent figures, including Zeldin, had received donations from someone named Jeffrey Epstein. “We’re going to make everything public as we establish new standards. FEC filings are available for anyone to check,” she asserted, criticizing the situation as “ridiculous.”
In response, Zeldin tweeted, “Yes, Crockett, a doctor named Dr. Jeffrey Epstein (who is completely different from the other Jeffrey Epstein) donated to my previous campaign. No unusual connection, genius!!!”
Additionally, President Trump is anticipated to sign a bill requiring the complete release of federal documents related to Epstein, though he initially labeled the push for transparency as a Democratic witch hunt focused on Epstein’s social ties during the 1990s and early 2000s.
