A Times investigation looked into how the disgraced financier leveraged his rich and powerful friends.
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Sept. 10, 2025, 6:00 a.m. ET
For months, President Trump has tried to dismiss questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, notably denying that he had been the author of a lewd birthday message to the financier and sex offender.
On Monday, Congress released the message — and many more like it.
David Enrich, a deputy investigations editor at The Times, explains how the book, and an investigation into Mr. Epstein’s finances, reveal how Mr. Epstein leveraged his rich and powerful friends to fund a yearslong criminal conspiracy.
David Enrich, a deputy investigations editor for The New York Times.
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David Enrich is a deputy investigations editor for The Times. He writes about law and business.