Lookalike Draws Attention
A man from Florida, known as “Palm Beach Pete,” is gaining popularity for his striking resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein. He noted that comparisons began back in 2019 after The Post featured Epstein on its front page.
The 71-year-old, who has a square jaw and silver hair, mentioned that his lookalike status became noticeable around the time New York tabloids started covering sex trafficking stories.
“It was all over the Post and on TV. Everyone called it the ‘It’ story,” he said. “When I walked through Fifth Avenue, tourists would flock around me, and I could definitely feel that energy. I’m a New Yorker, so being the center of attention like that didn’t feel foreign.” He emphasized that The Post played a role in fueling the attention.
Pete, who prefers not to disclose his last name, is a former real estate executive and tennis enthusiast. He remarked that the focus on his likeness to Epstein surged after Epstein’s arrest, which made headlines in the same year.
“Comparisons happened regularly in both New York City and the Hamptons,” he reflected. Epstein, whom he’s frequently compared to, died by suicide while facing serious charges.
Recently, Pete unexpectedly went viral when someone filmed him driving a convertible in Florida, igniting wild theories that Epstein had somehow returned and was living in the state.
At the time, he was heading to a tennis match.
The man who recorded the video could be heard exclaiming, “Epstein is alive!” The clip, shared on social media, quickly amassed millions of views.
“I think it really took off last Thursday or Friday,” Pete shared. “I was out dining with my girlfriend when some younger guys at another table started whispering about me. My girlfriend nudged me and pointed it out. I approached them and asked, ‘Are you talking about me?’ They confirmed I was the one who went viral, and asked for a photo.” He chuckled at the whole situation.
Pete admitted that the constant comparisons are overwhelming. “Now, I’m viral. It’s a whole new level of attention that I’ve never experienced before. It feels like people are noticing me more,” he said, revealing that he even started an Instagram account named not.epstein.
When he checked his account on Friday, he saw an incredible jump in followers—from 3,000 to over 21,000.
Although he appreciates the newfound attention, Pete expressed discomfort being associated with Epstein, a man he clearly despises. “I don’t like it. He was a monster, a terrible person. I want no part of that,” he stated. “It’s somewhat amusing that all this buzz is because of my looks, but let’s be clear, I’m not him—and thank goodness for that.”
Interestingly, Pete recalled an encounter with Epstein’s brother at a party in the ’90s. “I met him because he had these two big standard poodles. We became friends after I complimented the dogs,” he reminisced.
“Before the accusations, Jeff was hardly known; he lived under the radar,” Pete added. “Then, suddenly, he was slapped with some pretty serious allegations, and the whole world took notice.”
