The Daily Beast Podcast The Sinister Truth About My Interview With Epstein
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Mar 26, 2026 George Rush, a veteran New York gossip columnist who probed high‑profile social figures, recounts his reporting into Jeffrey Epstein. He discusses how Epstein intervened with media owners, a rare phone interview that blamed victims, tactics to keep Ghislaine Maxwell out of print, and a contested tape that sparked legal battles.
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How Epstein Recruited Through Social Networks
- Jeffrey Epstein used his Palm Beach social ties to recruit young women under the guise of legitimate jobs like masseuses.
- George Rush found Virginia Giuffre's affidavit showing Ghislaine Maxwell introduced her at Mar-a-Lago and demonstrated sexual acts in Epstein's massage room.
Epstein Phoned The Columnist To Charm And Redirect
- Epstein called George Rush after Mort Zuckerman intervened and framed the paper's interest as selling papers.
- Rush recorded the call; Epstein leaned into a Brooklyn persona and tried to charm and steer the conversation.
Epstein Used Counteraccusations To Control Narrative
- Epstein attempted to shift attention onto plaintiffs' lawyer Brad Edwards, portraying him as the malicious actor.
- Rush later learned overlapping true scandals (Seth Rothstein's Ponzi) complicated the narrative and were used as leverage.