There have been many comments about Chomsky’s communications with Epstein. This post is only about one major blind spot of Chomsky’s critics. We should ask : how might Epstein have managed his relation switch Chomsky? What ‘truthful’ description could Epstein have made that might have lulled Chomsky?
One must first recognise that both parties would recognise that it would be impossible for Epstein to tell his own story in writing so his defence would have to be made discreet and oral. There should be no expectation of written deposition of Epstein’s defence as given to Chomsky. If Epstein brought Chomsky to aprivate meeting to ‘explain all’ this would give Chomsky the sense of Epstein ‘baring all’.
First of all, Epstein could have dismissed all the reports of ‘rape’. He could have said categorically no physical violence was ever used. What has happened should have been labelled ‘statutory rape’ because the girls could have explicitly given their consent but it would have remained ‘statutory rape’.
Secondly, the girls lied about their age as they wanted to get involved in this world of luxury and glamorous parties.
Thirdly, and most damaging to the public case against him, he could have claimed that the US State Dept did all the things he was accused of doing. It has been reported that visiting dignitaries to the US, especially Washington DC, are discreetly offered certain services. Men and women, even Royal women it appears , have desires and needs. From the US State Dept point of view having visiting dignitaries wondering around the redlight district of DC is an accident waiting to happen. To engage the service at all involves the great risks of being in the wrong place: the risk of mugging or worse. If the services are acquired then there is the risk of theft of money or official documents. Security officers tell me that such person regularly engage in theft, assuming the mark will be too embarrassed to complain. They may even seek to sell their story to the local press (this has happened in the UK to a Minister of State) To avoid all that the US State Dept can arrange the provision of such services. Now if the agent moves across state borders that itself could technically be another crime.
Fourthly, he could have told Chomsky he never received a penny for introducing these women to these important men. Given Epstein’s wealth this would be easily believed. Pimping is a small time criminal activity. It is hard to imagine Epstein seeking to collect dollars and dimes from these young women.
Fifthly, while admitting he had a weakness for attractive young women he could state that his enemies have exploited this against him. Given his wealth and the circles he moved in, his telling Chomsky that over the years he had acquired some well connected enemies would be entirely believable.
There is then the impression this makes on Chomsky. It is in times of trouble that you discover who your real friends are. Chomsky, aware of the many favours and good deeds Epstein had done for him over the years would feel that this is a time to show some solidarity. His friend has not been accused of any violent crime nor of any financial dishonesty. Whether the women involved were over or under age could be in the eye of the beholder, given the possible use of fake ID.
We know that Epstein was a master of manipulation. What Epstein actually did could have been on a much greater scale of subtlety, orders of magnitude more sophisticated.