CBS News faces a complex predicament as newly surfaced government documents reveal that its recent hire, Peter Attia, had extensive communications with the now-deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Attia, a 52-year-old specialist in metabolic health and longevity medicine, became a CBS News contributor on January 27, just days before this unsettling disclosure.
The documents, made public under the "Epstein Files Transparency Act," consist of approximately 3 million pages, with Attia's name appearing 1,741 times. These files, released on a Friday, unveil a history of correspondence between Attia and Epstein, stretching over several years, including friendly exchanges and crude jokes.
In one particular email from 2015, Attia lamented the inability to share details of his and Epstein's friendship due to its controversial nature. Another email from 2016 contained an inappropriate comment about female anatomy, despite Epstein's prior conviction in 2008 related to child prostitution charges.
Attia's connections extend beyond Epstein himself, as he also communicated with Epstein's inner circle, including his longtime assistant Lesley Groff. The physician expressed a sense of withdrawal in one of these emails, missing Epstein's company.
The timing of these revelations poses a challenge for CBS News and its new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, who is currently leading a significant restructuring of the network. CBS News has not yet publicly addressed Attia's appointment in light of the controversy.
The "Epstein Files" implicate other notable figures as well, including former UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson and ex-Prince Andrew. Bill Gates and Steve Tisch are also referenced, alongside the unexpected mention of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's mother.
The unearthed emails have sparked reactions on social media, with tweets highlighting Attia's expressed frustrations about concealing his friendship with Epstein, and another sarcastically pointing to an email about helping a "sexual predator live longer for the ladies."
Jeffrey Epstein's death by suicide in a New York City jail cell occurred in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The magnitude of Epstein's crimes is believed to involve the victimization of hundreds over many years. The fallout from these crimes continues to reverberate, affecting various sectors and individuals connected to Epstein.
