According to newly revealed US Justice Department records, financier Jeffrey Epstein regularly used his contact with the former head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee to communicate with world leaders and billionaires such as Bill Gates, Steve Bannon, and Richard Branson. The files, made public this week, detail how Epstein used the prestige of the Nobel organization as a social credential to engage with global elites during the 2010s.
Who Was Jeffrey Epstein Contacting Through His Nobel Connections?
The documents consist of emails and text messages where Epstein actively promoted his association with Thorbjorn Jagland, who chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015. In a 2013 email to British entrepreneur Richard Branson, Epstein wrote that Jagland would be staying with him, adding, “if you are there, you might find him interesting.” In 2012, Epstein contacted former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, stating, “head of the nobel peace prize staying with me, if you have any interest.”
In 2015, Epstein extended a similar invitation to former White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler, writing: “head of nobel peace prize coming to visit, want to join?” Epstein’s messages reveal a continuous pattern of utilizing Jagland’s position to arrange introductions and dinners with high-profile figures.
What Did Epstein Tell Steve Bannon About the Nobel Prize?
A September 2018 text exchange with former White House strategist Steve Bannon reveals Epstein’s confidence in his influence over the prize. Epstein wrote to Bannon: “donalds head would explode if he knew you were now buds with the guy who on monday will decide the nobel peace prize.” He followed up with a reference to geopolitical affairs, stating, “I told him next year it should be you when we settle China.”
The exchange demonstrates Epstein’s willingness to imply he could affect the selection process, though the documents show no evidence of direct lobbying for the award itself.
How Did Bill Gates Respond to Epstein’s Nobel Claims?
In 2014, Epstein informed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates that Jagland had been reelected as head of the Council of Europe. Gates responded: “That is good. I guess his peace prize committee job is also up in the air?” During Jagland’s tenure, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barack Obama in 2009 and to the European Union in 2012.
Despite his name-dropping, Epstein privately dismissed Jagland’s intellect. In correspondence with Summers, Epstein described Jagland as “not bright” but noted he offered a “unique perspective.”
Who Is Thorbjorn Jagland and Why Is He Charged?
Jagland, 75, a former Norwegian prime minister and head of the Council of Europe, is now facing charges of “aggravated corruption” in Norway. The investigation, led by Norway’s economic crime agency Okokrim, was prompted by information found in the Epstein documents. Authorities are scrutinizing whether gifts, travel, or loans Jagland received were connected to his official positions. This week, police executed searches at Jagland’s Oslo home and two other properties. While the documents do not contain evidence that Epstein directly lobbied for the Nobel Prize, they show Epstein frequently hosted Jagland at his residences in New York and Paris during the 2010s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did Jeffrey Epstein ever win a Nobel Peace Prize?
A: No. There is no evidence that Epstein was ever nominated for or awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The documents merely demonstrate that he developed a friendship with the committee chair.
Q: What happened to Jeffrey Epstein?
A: Epstein, a businessman and convicted sex offender, committed suicide in August 2019 while awaiting prosecution on federal sex trafficking allegations.
Q: Is Thorbjorn Jagland still involved with the Nobel Committee?
A: No. Jagland’s term as chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee ended in 2015. He is currently facing corruption charges in Norway.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
