Fact Check: Does the photo show Hakeem Jeffries with Jeffery Epstein?
WASHINGTON, DC: A viral image circulating online claims to show House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sitting with late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The image has resurfaced amid renewed attention to Epstein-related documents and allegations involving public figures. Let's fact-check the image.
Claim: An image showed Hakeem Jeffries sitting with Jeffrey Epstein
The continued release and scrutiny of Epstein-related records, especially the DOJ’s handling of redacted and withheld documents, have renewed public interest in the case. This attention has also given rise to fake images and unsupported claims involving politicians.
The unverified image appears to have originated from a Facebook user who shared an image allegedly showing Hakeem Jeffries with Jeffrey Epstein.
The post included the image with the claim, “Hakeem Jeffries loves calling out anyone who ever stood near Jeffrey Epstein.” It added, “His own campaign fundraisers reportedly invited the convicted pedophile to dinner in 2013 so Epstein could “get to know” Jeffries.” The post further claimed, “Democrats took his money, flew on his plane, and invited him to events for years.”
The post quickly attracted attention, with several users discussing the image. One user questioned its authenticity, writing, “Funny how he is the only one dressed casual for this dinner, almost like it's photoshopped...” Another user joked, “Somebody is about to blame A.I.”
Another commenter wrote, “Yes because both sides are working for one single goal. They’re all part of the same club, and none of us are in it.”
Some posts claimed that the photograph was taken at an event in 2013. However, the image does not provide evidence that Jeffries and Epstein attended an event together. Let’s look at the facts behind the viral Facebook post.
Fact Check: False, the image is not real
The claim is false because the image is not real. Research and reports found that the photo was generated using artificial intelligence.
The post is an example of “AI slop,” a term used for low-quality AI-generated content created to attract attention, go viral, and potentially make money.
A reverse image search on Google found that the earliest known version of the image was posted on February 11 by the X account @DumbFckFinder.
The “DFF” watermark next to Jeffries’ head also appears in the image. The account describes its content as parody and satire. When fact checkers first investigated the image, the account’s bio described it as “an AI-powered meme engine that turns stupidity into content.”
Its bio also said: “We use AI to create memes, songs, stories, and visuals that call things exactly how they are — fast, loud, and impossible to ignore. If something looks dumb, sounds dumb, or feels off, we turn it into something shareable.”
A reverse image search also found that the image appeared only on social media and was not published by major news organizations. There is no credible evidence that the photo shows Jeffries with Epstein.
