Fact Check: Do Epstein files reference Stevie Wonder in Israeli army boycott email?
WASHINGTON, DC: A social media claim suggesting that singer Stevie Wonder was named in the files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for refusing to perform for the Israeli army has gained traction online. The allegation surfaced after the release of a massive tranche of Epstein-related documents.
Let’s break down what the records actually show.
Claim: Stevie Wonder appears in Epstein files over Israeli army refusal
Following the public release of documents tied to Epstein, posts circulated on Instagram alleging that Wonder was included in the so-called “Epstein Files” for refusing to perform for the Israeli army.
One widely shared image featured text stating, “Epstein Files name music legend Stevie Wonder ‘anti-Israel’ for refusing to perform for Israeli army.”
The accompanying caption claimed that Wonder was listed in the files for not cooperating and being “anti-Israel.” It further referenced a 2012 incident in which Wonder withdrew from a benefit concert in Los Angeles for the Israeli military after facing pressure from boycott activists.
In 2012, Wonder canceled his appearance at a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala event. Reports at the time indicated that activists associated with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement had urged him to pull out. The social media claim implied that this decision led to his inclusion in the Epstein documents.
Fact Check: Why Stevie Wonder’s name appears in Epstein records
A search of the publicly released documents confirms that Wonder’s name does appear in a 2014 email contained within the Epstein files. However, the context is not what viral posts suggest.
The mention of Wonder was part of a newsletter titled “Anti-Israel celebrities and their brands,” circulated by the Jewish News Syndicate, a news agency that covers Israel and Jewish affairs. The email was not written by or addressed personally to Epstein in relation to Wonder’s actions.
The section referencing Wonder noted that he backed out of a 2012 performance at a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala, citing what was described as a recommendation from the United Nations to withdraw. It also mentioned that a petition urging him to cancel had gathered thousands of signatures.
Beyond this newsletter reference, additional keyword searches in the Epstein document database show other brief mentions of Wonder’s name. None of those references indicate that he was investigated, accused of wrongdoing, or personally linked to Epstein in connection with Israel or any other matter.
In short, while Wonder’s name appears in the records, it is only within the text of a forwarded newsletter. There is no evidence that he was named in the files for refusing to perform for the Israeli army or that he had any substantive connection to Epstein in this context.
Release of millions of Epstein-related documents
The rumor gained momentum after the Department of Justice released millions of documents tied to Epstein on January 30. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the disclosure included more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
The release followed criticism that the department had not complied with a federal law passed in November requiring Epstein-related records to be made public by December 19.
As with many large document disclosures, isolated names appearing in emails or newsletters have sparked speculation online. But in this case, the claim that Wonder was listed for refusing to perform for the Israeli army is misleading and lacks supporting evidence in the records.
