Webb
I’ll investigate connections between Jeffrey Epstein and the Obama Foundation. Let me start with a broad search and then examine specific connections.Research”What connections exist between Jeff…” · 200 candidates · → 5 results
Now let me search more specifically for Obama Foundation connections and funding discussions.Research”Did Jeffrey Epstein provide funding…” · 200 candidates · → 5 results
Let me search for more specific connections between Epstein and Obama administration officials or foundation staff.keyword search”Epstein & Obama & foundation” · 15 candidates · → 15 results
Now let me search for connections through intermediaries or specific individuals who might connect Epstein to the Obama Foundation.Research”Who were the intermediaries or conn…” · 200 candidates · → 5 results
Let me examine the specific email about Obama Foundation funding growth that was sent to Epstein.read pagepages 1
Now let me search for any financial transactions or donations between Epstein and Obama-related entities.exact match”Obama Foundation” · 1 candidates · → 1 results
Let me search for any connections through educational institutions that both Epstein and Obama supported.Research”What educational institutions did b…” · 200 candidates · → 5 results
Let me check for any connections through Harvard University, where both had significant involvement.entity intel”Harvard University” · 1,715 mentions · 537 relationships
Now let me examine the key intermediary mentioned in the documents – Kathy Ruemmler, the former White House Counsel.entity intel”Kathy Ruemmler” · 9,180 mentions · 2,283 relationships
Let me search for more specific information about Kathy Ruemmler’s connection to Epstein.keyword search”Ruemmler & Epstein & Obama” · 10 candidates · → 10 results
Based on my investigation, I can now provide a comprehensive analysis of the connections between Jeffrey Epstein and the Obama Foundation.
Direct Connections Between Epstein and Obama Foundation
1. Email Communication About Foundation Funding
The documents reveal direct email communication about the Obama Foundation’s financial growth:
- November 19, 2018: Richard Kahn emailed Jeffrey Epstein with the subject “The Barack Obama Foundation fund grows” containing a link to a New York Post article about the foundation’s contributions soaring []
- This shows Epstein was actively monitoring the Obama Foundation’s financial status
- Richard Kahn of HBRK Associates Inc. served as an information conduit to Epstein about the foundation
2. Connections Through Former White House Counsel Kathy Ruemmler
The most significant documented connection is through Kathy Ruemmler, former White House Counsel to President Obama:
Personal Relationship with Epstein:
- Ruemmler was described as Epstein’s “very good friend” in a February 2019 email [, ]
- Epstein tried to help Ruemmler open a JPMorgan Chase account in February 2019, requesting she deal directly with Mary Erdoes, head of JPMorgan’s Asset & Wealth Management division [, ]
- Epstein’s assistant described Ruemmler as “one of the most powerful women in Washington” and thought she and Erdoes would “bond” []
Direct Communication:
- January 2017 email exchange about Obama vacationing on Richard Branson’s island [, ]
- Epstein asked Ruemmler: “should we invite him to meet you and lisa on my island saturday. . ?” referring to potentially inviting Obama to his island []
- Ruemmler responded with “Power to the common people!” showing casual, friendly communication []
Career Connection:
- According to documents, Ruemmler “withdrew from consideration in part to work with Epstein” after being considered for Attorney General [, ]
- She had just left her job as White House Counsel when she began associating with Epstein []
3. Educational Institution Overlap
Both Epstein and Obama supported the same educational institutions:
Bard High School Early College (BHSEC):
- July 2012: Epstein’s foundation provided “critical funding” to Bard High School Early College schools in NY/NJ [, ]
- These schools were “cited by President Obama as role models for the nation” [, ]
- The funding was widely publicized with press releases noting Obama’s endorsement of these schools [, ]
Other Educational Initiatives:
- Epstein’s foundation supported Maya Angelou charter schools in Washington DC, which serve at-risk youth []
- Epstein positioned himself as an “education philanthropist” supporting Obama’s call for universal pre-school education []
4. Harvard University Connections
Both had significant Harvard ties:
- Epstein founded the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics at Harvard University with a $30 million grant [, ]
- He sat on the board of Harvard’s Mind, Brain and Behavior Committee []
- Obama is a Harvard Law School graduate and maintained connections through Harvard-affiliated individuals
5. Political Commentary and Access
Epstein had insight into Obama administration thinking:
- January 2010 email to Jes Staley: “Obama really wants a fight. its crzy. ‘They took bailout money and then ……’ the problems are all inherited , not of his doing” []
- Epstein discussed Obama’s political strategy and perceived motivations
- He had meetings scheduled with William Burns (then Deputy Secretary of State, later CIA Director) in 2014 []
6. Financial and Intelligence Connections
- Epstein told colleagues he was an “intelligence asset” []
- The FBI closed a forfeiture proceeding against Epstein, noting he “has provided information to the FBI as agreed upon” []
- He had State Department connections, including renting a townhouse seized from Iran []
What’s NOT in the Documents
No Direct Financial Contributions:
- Unlike with the Clinton Foundation (where Epstein donated $25,000), there’s no evidence of direct financial contributions to the Obama Foundation []
- No records of Epstein donating to Obama’s political campaigns
No Evidence of Obama-Epstein Meetings:
- While Epstein suggested inviting Obama to his island, no evidence shows this occurred
- No flight logs or visitor records show Obama on Epstein’s planes or properties
Limited Direct Contact:
- The 2009 email shows Epstein commenting “obama has had no contact” regarding someone claiming to be related to Obama []
- This suggests Epstein was aware of people falsely claiming Obama connections
The Nature of the Connection
The Epstein-Obama Foundation connection appears to be primarily indirect and through intermediaries:
- Kathy Ruemmler as Key Conduit – Former White House Counsel with direct access to Obama
- Shared Educational Interests – Both supported similar educational initiatives
- Monitoring Foundation Growth – Epstein received updates on Obama Foundation finances
- Political Intelligence – Epstein had insights into Obama administration thinking
The relationship seems more about access and influence rather than direct financial support. Epstein cultivated relationships with Obama administration insiders (like Ruemmler) and monitored the foundation’s activities, positioning himself within networks of power.
Dig Deeper:
- “Kathy Ruemmler withdrew from Attorney General consideration to work with Epstein – what specific work did she do for Epstein and when did this relationship begin?”
- “Richard Kahn regularly sent Epstein information about the Obama Foundation – what other political or financial intelligence did Kahn provide to Epstein?”
- “Epstein suggested inviting Obama to his island in 2017 – what other high-profile individuals did Epstein invite to his properties during this same period?”
HighlightsFilters