The Science Network: Harvard, MIT, and Epstein's Academic Shield

Buying Intellectual Respectability

Jeffrey Epstein cultivated deep relationships with elite academic institutions and prominent scientists, using donations and social access to build a veneer of intellectual legitimacy. These relationships persisted even after his 2008 conviction, raising serious questions about institutional complicity.

Harvard University

Epstein donated at least $9 million to Harvard, including funding for the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics led by Martin Nowak. After Epstein's conviction, Harvard returned $186,000 but kept the rest. Nowak continued to meet with Epstein and accepted his funding.

MIT Media Lab

Joi Ito, director of the MIT Media Lab, orchestrated a system to disguise Epstein's donations as anonymous gifts — internally labeled "he who must not be named." The scheme was exposed by journalist Ronan Farrow in 2019. Ito resigned, as did MIT's Vice President for Research.

The Scientists

• Marvin Minsky (AI pioneer) — Virginia Giuffre alleged in court documents that she was directed to have sex with Minsky on Epstein's island.
• Steven Pinker — Appeared in flight logs and was photographed with Epstein. He has said the relationship was limited.
• Noam Chomsky — Met with Epstein multiple times after his conviction, calling the meetings "none of your business" when asked.
• Larry Summers — As Harvard's president, accepted meetings with Epstein and approved the Nowak program funding.
• Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn) — Apologized for using Epstein as a networking hub for the tech industry.

The Pattern

Epstein positioned himself as a "science philanthropist" — hosting dinners that mixed scientists with billionaires, funding research programs, and name-dropping institutional affiliations. This intellectual shield helped normalize his presence in elite circles.