Bill Maher, Gus Van Sant cast doubt on official account of Jeffrey Epstein’s death

Bill Maher and Gus Van Sant discussed prison conditions and suggested that Jeffrey Epstein’s death may not have been self‑inflicted
UPDATED DEC 22, 2025
Bill Maher claimed that there was a 50‑50 chance anyone visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s island had engaged in wrongdoing (Real Time with Bill Maher/YouTube)
Bill Maher claimed that there was a 50‑50 chance anyone visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s island had engaged in wrongdoing (Real Time with Bill Maher/YouTube)


LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bill Maher welcomed filmmaker Gus Van Sant on his podcast, ‘Club Random with Bill Maher’ on Monday, December 22. During the conversation that lasted almost two hours, the two discussed a variety of topics, including the much-talked-about Epstein files that the DOJ is currently in the process of releasing. 

As the conversation progressed, the two talked about Jeffrey Epstein’s time in prison and his subsequent death.

Sant commented on a conspiracy theory questioning the nature of Jeffrey Epstein’s death and said that he didn’t believe it was self-inflicted. He said that he thought “somebody did it,” and Maher agreed.

Bill Maher ripped Harvard students for saying they 'hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence' (Real Time with Bill Maher/YouTube)
Bill Maher ripped Harvard students for saying they 'hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence' (Real Time with Bill Maher/YouTube)

Bill Maher questions claims of Epstein’s influence

While speaking to Gus Van Sant, the comedian said that it wasn’t proven that Epstein was a “power monger” to rich, powerful men, as described by Sant.

Although Maher agreed that the men who were clients of Jeffrey Epstein were “powerful,” it was not proven who all were involved. 

Naming Bill Clinton, Maher said that if he were there, he’d agree that the DOJ had the logs that put him on Epstein Island, but would deny getting more than a massage.

“Maybe that’s all there was to it, we don’t know for a fact,” he added.

Some newly released images and records contain heavy redactions for privacy reasons. (U.S. Department of Justice)
Some newly released images and records contain heavy redactions for privacy reasons (US Department of Justice)

Maher argued that Jeffrey Epstein “deserved to go to prison.” Sant said that maybe others, such as Woody Allen, were not involved.

“Prince Andrew. Yes,” Maher claimed.

As the two talked about who all were potentially involved, Maher said that “they’re all dirty dogs,” and that there was at least a “50-50” chance that everyone who visited Epstein Island could have done it. 

Former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates speaks during panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) summit on September 24, 2024 in New York City. Coinciding with the U.N. General Assembly, the Clinton Global Initiative brings together business, government, and civil society leaders to drive progress on humanitarian response efforts to global crises. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates speaks during a panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) summit on September 24, 2024, in New York City (Alex Kent/Getty Images)

Bill Maher on the people who appeared in the Epstein files

Maher claimed that men like Bill Gates needed a “friend like Epstein.”

He added that they were not associated with Epstein because he was a “financial genius,” but that he was a “love guru” for them.

Maher asked Sant if he had read the email exchange with Harvard professor Larry Summers and Epstein, and added that it seemed like Summers was asking Epstein for advice about his love life. 

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