Michael Wolff, a controversial author, once suggested to Jeffrey Epstein that he could be the decisive factor in derailing Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign if he spoke publicly about his ties to the then-candidate.
On February 19, 2016, Wolff reached out to Epstein, saying, “I received a call from the NYT about you and Trump, and the Hillary campaign is really digging. You might consider being proactive.”
The late Epstein had proposed a meeting with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, but Wolff declined the offer, and they did not correspond again until February 24 of that same year.
Epstein mentioned, “There are a lot of reporters.” Wolff replied, “Yeah, you’re Trump’s bullet.”
A few weeks prior, on January 21, 2016, Wolff had advised Epstein: “The more authentic Trump appears—or the more that idea fades—the more reporters will take interest. This needs a strategy.”
In another email from December 16, 2015, Wolff argued that Epstein should allow Trump to “hang” amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
“I think he should hang himself,” Wolff stated. He suggested that if Trump claimed he hadn’t flown on Epstein’s plane, it could provide him with valuable public relations leverage.
Wolff continued, “You can either hurt him, which might benefit you, or if he looks likely to win, you could potentially support him and create a sense of obligation.” He noted that Epstein might portray himself as a victim if asked.
In a detailed email on March 18, 2016, Wolff outlined a communication strategy for the election, seemingly meant to respond to author James Patterson’s recent book about financiers.
“Before then, no competing book or documentary could have emerged,” he wrote. “But now, an immediate rebuttal is essential. Trump offers a unique chance to craft a narrative that distracts from, yet simultaneously tells, his own story.”
Wolff emphasized that criticizing Trump could afford Epstein some political cover, though he believed it was necessary to be vocal about it.
He explained that a “strategic plan” should involve fostering a national identity, engaging in philanthropy, and building media partnerships.
Wolff also mentioned a ghostwritten book by author John Connolly, asserting it would focus heavily on the 2016 election and attract significant media attention.
On October 20, 2016, “Filthy Rich: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein” was published.
Nine days later, Wolff reached out to Epstein again, offering to discuss Trump in a way that would be politically beneficial for Epstein.
Wolff, known for his book “Fire and Fury,” labeled Trump as “trash” and accused him of dishonesty on social media.
He portrayed Trump as a disengaged father and a notorious womanizer with minimal interaction with his wife, Melania.
The book became a bestseller, but Wolff faced criticism from journalists regarding its accuracy, and the Washington Post highlighted several errors in his reporting.
When confronted about inaccuracies in his follow-up book, “Siege: Trump on Fire,” Wolff reacted angrily, declaring in a June 2019 interview that he would never admit to being wrong.
Earlier this year, an article from The Daily Beast had to be retracted due to claims made by Wolff regarding a modeling agent connected to Epstein.
Wolff stated that Trump and Epstein had long been close, sharing flights, women, and financial advice.
He suggested that the ongoing legal issues surrounding Trump’s wife would allow for important questions about their connections to Epstein.
“This may provide an avenue to explore their relationship further,” he noted.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt responded that Trump had expelled Epstein from his club years ago, arguing the stories were an attempt to distract from Trump’s achievements.
The Post has sought comments from Wolff.
