NEW YORK — A massive trove of records recently released by the U.S. Justice Department has provided new, detailed insights into the long-standing relationship between filmmaker Woody Allen and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among the revelations in the emails, reported on February 9, 2026, is that Epstein used his high-level political connections to arrange a private tour of the White House for Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, in 2015.
The White House Visit In May 2015, Epstein reached out to Kathy Ruemmler, who had served as White House counsel during President Barack Obama’s administration.
- The Request: Epstein asked Ruemmler if she could show Previn the White House, questioning if Allen might be “too politically sensitive” for the visit.
- The Outcome: Ruemmler agreed to show both of them the facility. White House records confirm that Allen, Previn, and Ruemmler visited on Sunday, December 27, 2015, while President Obama was on vacation in Hawaii. Ruemmler expressed doubt that Epstein himself—a registered sex offender at the time—would be allowed entry.
Commiserating Over Scandals The emails show that Allen, Previn, and Epstein were not just casual acquaintances but close neighbors in New York City who dined together frequently.
- Shared Defensiveness: The trio often discussed the public criticism and allegations of sexual misconduct they faced. In one exchange from 2016, Epstein compared their situations to the scandal surrounding Bill Cosby.
- Distinguishing Cases: Allen, communicating through Previn, argued his situation was “radically different” from Cosby’s, referring to his own allegations as coming from “one irate mother” (Mia Farrow).
- The “Taboo” Factor: Epstein suggested that the public scorn Allen received was largely due to his relationship with Previn, which he called a “publicly broken taboo,” advising them to “just enjoy themselves.”
Sumptuous Dinners and Social Circles Allen spoke highly of Epstein’s social gatherings. In a commissioned letter for Epstein’s birthday in 2016, Allen described the dinners as having a “wide variety of interesting people” and “sumptuous and abundant” food. He noted that the service was often provided by “several young women,” which he likened to a scene from a Dracula movie.
Context and Consequences
- Notable Peers: The emails list several other figures who attended Epstein’s dinners alongside Allen, including Dick Cavett, Noam Chomsky, and the late David Brenner.
- Professional Ties: Epstein also reportedly attended screenings of Allen’s movies and visited the director during the editing process.
- Denials: Woody Allen has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the 1992 allegations involving his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow. Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
While Woody Allen has not been accused of involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking activities, the release of these emails highlights a degree of intimacy and mutual support between the two men that was previously undocumented, further complicating the public narrative surrounding the embattled filmmaker.