What You Need to Know Since Epstein’s Alleged Suicide Note Was Released

Newly surfaced letter adds another wrinkle to the mystery around Epstein’s death

Welcome back to The Cover-Up! Glad you’re with us to follow the latest developments and collectively turn information into justice.

Early last week, a federal judge unsealed a note allegedly written by Jeffrey Epstein before his first failed suicide attempt in prison. The document quickly dominated the Epstein news cycle, with several experts pointing out that it at least appeared to be authentic. While everyone was trying to make sense of this latest bombshell, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared before the House Oversight Committee and revealed that his ties to Epstein were more extensive than he had previously admitted. During his closed-door testimony, Lutnick also walked back earlier claims that Epstein was “the greatest blackmailer ever.” After the interview, Rep. James Comer—who recently attempted to stymie the committee’s investigative powers—held a press conference where he explicitly denied that there was any cover-up. Rep. Yassamin Ansari disagreed, however, saying Lutnick was involved in “the most egregious cover-up in American history.” This coming week, members of the House Oversight Committee plan to hold a shadow field hearing in Palm Beach, Florida, where Epstein lived, worked and preyed upon minors for years.

Here’s what you need to know:

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Lutnick admits, then denies, White House instructed him to walk back claim Epstein was ‘greatest blackmailer ever’

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson breaks down Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s baffling appearance before the House Oversight Committee. Share on Substack, Threads, Twitter & TikTok.

• Epstein’s Suicide Note Looks Real

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth highlight the overlap in certain phrases used both in Epstein’s emails and the newly-released suicide note. Share on Substack and Instagram.

• From the Clubs of Ibiza to International Arms Dealmaker

  Nina Burleigh interviews Italian journalist Sacha Biazzo about the checkered history of Trump’s Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, and his Epstein connections. Watch on YouTube and share on Threads.

• Epstein survivors testify in Albany, push for bill to let victims sue his estate

  Courier New York’s Audrey Kemp details the push from survivors of sex trafficking rings to sue the estates of deceased abusers. Share on TikTok, Threads & Twitter.

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Headlines to Know

• How Jeffrey Epstein leveraged a prestigious U.N.-affiliated nonprofit—and the Gates Foundation—to control women and keep them in his orbit Fortune, Jessica Mathews, 5/09/26

• A Library Dedicated Solely to the Epstein Files Is Opening in New York Wired, EJ Dickson, 5/11/26

• See Who Has Faced Fallout From the Epstein Files The New York Times, Karen Yourish, Lazaro Gamio and Amy Schoenfeld Walker, 5/05/26

• Why Trump Thinks He Can Get Away With Epstein Ties The Daily Beast, Wiktoria Gucia, 5/11/26

• Epstein-linked billionaire accused of rape privately reached out to federal judge to defend his ‘good name’ The Guardian, Johanna Berkman, 5/05/26

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