Epstein Bombshell: Dem Congressman Texted Epstein During Michael Cohen Hearing

A newly released batch of documents tied to the House Oversight Committee has revealed an eyebrow-raising detail: a Democratic member of Congress was texting back and forth with Jeffrey Epstein in real time during the explosive 2019 hearing featuring Michael Cohen.

According to The Washington Post, the messages between Epstein and U.S. Virgin Islands Democratic Delegate Stacey Plaskett surfaced in the latest trove of Epstein-related material obtained by the committee. Epstein’s notorious island compound, Little Saint James — long synonymous with abuse, secrecy, and elite protection — sat squarely within Plaskett’s home district.

During the February 2019 hearing, Cohen — then the disgruntled former attorney for President Donald J. Trump, who had turned on his former boss — testified before the House Oversight Committee. The hearing occurred just months before Epstein’s highly questioned death inside a New York City jail cell. Although he had not yet been indicted on the final round of charges filed before his death, Epstein was already a convicted sex offender by that point.

The Oversight documents did not explicitly name Plaskett. But The Washington Post said it identified her based on video from the hearing and the unmistakable content of the texts.

Shortly after 10:00 a.m., Epstein messaged Plaskett, “Great outfit.”

At 10:22 a.m., he followed up with “You look great,” to which she responded, “Thanks!”

The Post reported that one minute after Plaskett was seen on camera making chewing motions, Epstein texted, “Are you chewing.”

“Not any more,” she replied. “Chewing interior of my mouth. Bad habit from middle school.”

Epstein then appeared to coach the congresswoman on her line of questioning, texting, “Hes opened the door to questions re who are the other henchmen at trump org.”

“Yup. Very aware and waiting my turn,” Plaskett answered.

Later, after Cohen mentioned Rhona Graff — a longtime executive assistant to Trump — Epstein texted, “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets.”

Plaskett responded, “RONA??” adding, “Quick I’m up next is that an acronym,” moments before her turn to grill Cohen.

Epstein explained: “Thats his assistant.”

One minute after Plaskett concluded her questioning, Epstein sent his final real-time review: “Good work.”

Plaskett’s office initially declined to comment. But after the Post published its findings, the congresswoman’s office released a statement attempting to distance her from the notorious financier.

“During the hearing, Congresswoman Plaskett received texts from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein.”

The statement added, “As a former prosecutor she welcomes information that helps her get at the truth and took on the GOP that was trying to bury the truth. The congresswoman has previously made clear her long record combating sexual assault and human trafficking, her disgust over Epstein’s deviant behavior and her support for his victims.”

The explanation raises new questions — including why a high-profile Democratic lawmaker maintained direct, friendly communication with an already-convicted sex offender during a major congressional hearing. The revelations also deepen public skepticism about how deeply Epstein’s influence reached into political institutions, particularly those run by Democrats who publicly professed outrage over his crimes.