The messages from Summers are deeply troubling as he chats away with the sex offender, including discussing Summers’ interest in particular women. After the disclosures, Summers announced that he will continue to teach at Harvard but will be stepping back from public commitments: “I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.”
In a March 2019 exchange, they corresponded about a woman Summers was interested in. This was when Epstein was awaiting trial on federal charges. Summers is also shown repeating his earlier views, questioning whether women are biologically as intelligent as men.
Sen. Warren demanded action to remove Summers: “For decades, Larry Summers has demonstrated his attraction to serving the wealthy and well-connected, but his willingness to cozy up to a convicted sex offender demonstrates monumentally bad judgment.”
There are serious concerns raised by firing academics over their private communications made outside of a school. As deeply offensive as his views are, Summers has a right to express them. He also has a right to pursue theories that others may find obnoxious and wrong (as do I) as an academic.
The public declarations of Warren, however, omit any mention of others shown “cozying up” to Epstein on the Democratic side, from Bill Clinton to Del. Plaskett.
Plaskett has long been criticized by the free speech community for her suggestion of the arrest of journalists and support for speech controls and censorship.
In one series of emails, Jeffrey Epstein was feeding questions to Plaskett during a 2019 congressional hearing. Once again, Epstein was already a known sex offender and human trafficker. Yet, Plaskett actively seeks his advice during the hearing, even exchanging playful comments on how great she looked and her habit of chewing on camera.
In texts, first reported by the Washington Post, Epstein coaches Plaskett during a Feb. 27, 2019, House Oversight Committee hearing with the then-former president’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen. Ironically, it was a hearing on how Donald Trump allegedly paid payments to mistresses to silence them. She was getting pointers from one of the most notorious abusers of young women in the last decade.
Epstein gives Plaskett a running review of the testimony, and Plaskett pushes him for more. For example, at one point, he wrote “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets,” misspelling Graff’s first name, Rhona.
“RONA??” responded Plaskett, “Quick I’m up next is that an acronym[?]”
“Thats his assistant,” Epstein replied. Plaskett proceeded to question Cohen on Graff.
Epstein continues to prep Plaskett, saying that “[Cohen] opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org.” She responded, “Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn.”
Epstein is shown boosting Plaskett and encouraging her.
At 2:34 p.m., Epstein told Plaskett, “Good work”after she finished her questioning. He also gives comments on her outfit and warns her about her habit of chewing on camera.
In the morning of the hearing, he tells Plaskett, “Great outfit,” and then twenty minutes later says, “You look great.”
Most people receiving such a message from a sexual abuser would find it chilling, but Plaskett writes, “Thanks!”
None of that, however, represents “cozying up” for Warren.
The fact is that these files are tarnishing many on both sides. Trump himself has had to explain pictures with Epstein, and these files show Epstein alluding to having dirt on Trump. The President has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and noted that he had Epstein thrown out of his club due to his pursuit of young girls at Mar-a-Lago.