FACT CHECK: Does Photo Show Jeffrey Epstein With Spike Lee and Elon Musk?
An image shared on social media purportedly shows Jeffrey Epstein photographed with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Director Spike Lee, and actor Ashton Kutcher.
Facebook/Screenshot
Verdict: False
The claim is inaccurate. The image has been digitally altered.
Fact Check:
Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been convicted of aiding Epstein in his sex trafficking ring, is seeking an appeal before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, Reuters reported. Federal prosecutors are urging the court to uphold her 20-year sentence as Maxwell was convicted of grooming and aiding Epstein in the abuse of four girls between the years of 1994 and 2004.
The Twitter post allegedly shows Musk, Kutcher and Lee pictured with Epstein. Musk and Kutcher both have drinks in hand while Lee wears beads around his neck.
“Who are these people with Epstein,” the caption reads.
The image has been altered. There is no credible news report that suggests this image is authentic. The original image does not show Epstein, but rather Tech investor Guy Oseary. The altered image replaced Oseary’s head with Epstein’s The image dates back to Mar. 10, 2018 at the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.
A Business Insider article reported on the event at the time and featured the original photo with Oseary. Business Insider reported that the Technology company Sound Ventures founded by Kutcher and Oseary hosted a party during the SXSW event. (RELATED: Does Viral Video Show The Nova Kakhovka Dam Being Blown Up?)
This is not the first time a misinformation has been shared online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim that the judge assigned to Trump’s federal court case was at his rally.
