Epstein lookalike’s bizarre Palm Beach mayoral run promises free Botox, bagels and convertibles

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Peter Simel was driving his convertible down Interstate 95 in South Florida when someone filming him shouted, “Epstein’s alive! Epstein’s alive!”

The bizarre moment turned the 71-year-old retiree into an overnight internet sensation after social media users became obsessed with his resemblance to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Now, Simel, known online as “Palm Beach Pete,” says he is seriously considering running for mayor of Palm Beach.

What started as a viral meme has quickly evolved into a strange mix of internet fame, influencer culture, and real political ambition.

'Epstein’s alive!'

Simel’s rise to online fame began earlier in 2026 when a video of him driving through South Florida spread across social media platforms.

“My name is Peter, and I am now 'Palm Beach Pete' on the internet,” Simel told Fox News Digital. “About two months ago, I was driving down I-95 and someone videoed me and said ‘Epstein’s alive.’”

The attention escalated rapidly, according to Simel, who said his following exploded almost overnight.

“We had 200,000 followers in less than two days, and I got deplatformed,” he said. “This whole thing occurred, and it has a mind of its own, the internet.”

Simel later embraced the comparisons by launching an Instagram account under the handle “@not.epstein.”

Meme turns political

Simel is now attempting to turn that viral fame into a mayoral campaign, although candidates cannot formally qualify for the race until 2027, according to Palm Beach County election records reviewed by the outlet.

“We’re seriously considering, and it’s a movement,” Simel said. “We want to make Palm Beach really cool and great.”

Rather than presenting himself as a traditional politician, Simel has framed the campaign around luxury, humor, and “living your best life.”

Among his proposals are “Free Botox for All Palm Beach Residents,” expanded pickleball courts, dog-walking services, and imported New York City water for “better pizzas & bagels.”

“Everyone on the island of Palm Beach gets the use of a convertible for a year and see how they enjoy it because it’s all about living your best life,” Simel said. Asked how he planned to pay for the proposals, Simel insisted the campaign would be “self-funded.”

“I’m self-funding it,” he said.

Peter Simel on internet fame and politics

Despite the lighthearted campaign platform, Simel said the movement reflects how social media can transform an ordinary person into a public figure almost instantly.

“In this day and time, and we have so much division and such uncertainty in the world, it’s kind of nice to have someone on a platform enjoying the benefits of living a good life and making the most out of what Palm Beach can be,” he said.

Simel also said influencers and younger audiences would play a major role in the campaign’s growth.

“My demographic are Gen Zs and these influencers have such a hold or such an influence on them,” he said. “As I get more followers, it gets bigger and bigger.”

The retiree said he has no plans to change the appearance that accidentally made him famous online.

“I’ve always looked like this,” Simel said. “I’m a better version of that unnamed person. And I’m not gonna change for anybody.”

For now, Simel appears content, embracing the surreal internet fame that transformed him from a Florida retiree into a viral political personality. “All I have to say is vote early and vote often,” he said. “Vote for 'Palm Beach Pete.'”