Hakeem Jeffries Accused of 'Soliciting Money from Jeffrey Epstein' — What Do the Emails Show?

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been drawn into renewed scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer alleged on Tuesday that Jeffries' 2013 campaign 'solicited money from Jeffrey Epstein.'

Comer cited a newly-reviewed 2013 email during remarks on the House floor, claiming the document shows Epstein was invited to a Democratic fundraising dinner and urged to 'get to know' Jeffries.

The email forms part of the Oversight Committee's latest batch of Epstein-related records, raising fresh questions about what the document actually shows and how directly, if at all, it connects Jeffries to the disgraced financier.

Allegation Based on 2013 Fundraising Invitation

Comer's remarks stem from an email sent by a political consulting firm working with Democratic committees in 2013.

According to the Oversight Chairman, the message invited Epstein to a Democratic Party dinner as part of efforts to support the party's campaign strategy at the time.

The email reportedly encouraged Epstein to attend the event or meet privately with Jeffries, who was then an emerging Democratic figure.

In his floor statement, Comer argued that this amounted to a political attempt to seek financial support from Epstein.

He told colleagues that 'Democrat fundraisers invited Epstein to attend an event, or meet privately with Hakeem Jeffries as part of their 2013 effort to win a majority', adding that the email batch showed Jeffries' campaign 'solicited money from Jeffrey Epstein.'

The accusation is now part of a broader inquiry by the Oversight Committee, which has been examining previously unreleased records linked to Epstein's political and financial activities.

What the Email Reveals About Epstein's Invitation

The document referenced by Comer outlines an invitation extended to Epstein, describing him as a potential attendee for a Democratic fundraising dinner and encouraging him to 'get to know' Jeffries.

Additional details from the email, including the subject line 'Rising Star' and language portraying Jeffries as 'Brooklyn's Barack,' were first reported by the New York Post. At the time, Epstein was known as a wealthy financier with a long record of political connections that spanned both parties.

There is no indication from the document that Jeffries personally authorised the outreach or participated in the communication.

Political strategists note that consulting firms routinely generate mass invitations to donors and potential supporters without candidates having direct involvement.

The available document does not show any follow-up from Epstein or confirm that he attended the event.

Jeffries' Position and Existing Donation Records

Jeffries has not issued a public response to Comer's specific allegation. Federal Election Commission records show no donations from Jeffrey Epstein to Jeffries' campaign during the 2013 cycle or any other period.

The filings suggest that Epstein did not contribute to the event or take part in the fundraising push highlighted by Comer.

A review of Democratic fundraising practices during the 2013 period shows that consulting firms regularly contacted high-net-worth individuals as part of broad outreach campaigns. While Epstein was included in this category at the time, the email alone does not confirm any financial relationship between him and Jeffries' team.

Reaction Within Congress and the Democratic Caucus

The accusation has added tension to an already partisan climate in the Oversight Committee. Democrats have criticised the framing of Epstein-related claims in previous hearings, arguing that the inquiry has increasingly been used to target high-profile party figures.

Several Democratic members have indicated that the release of older documents needs to be contextualised within the broader fundraising practices of the era.

Republicans, meanwhile, say the committee is working to clarify the full extent of Epstein's political reach. Comer's comments signal that further document batches are expected to surface, potentially revealing additional outreach efforts to other political figures.

Next Steps in the Oversight Committee's Inquiry

The panel is expected to continue reviewing archived communications, fundraising logs and email trails connected to Epstein's political interactions.

Additional hearings may be scheduled as the committee evaluates the relevance of the documents and determines whether any formal subpoenas or witness testimonies are required.

As the investigation progresses, both parties anticipate further scrutiny over how political operations engaged with high-profile donors more than a decade ago.

The findings are likely to shape the committee's next round of public disclosures and may influence future political messaging as the 2026 cycle approaches.