‘He told me what to ask’: Stacey Plaskett admits Epstein guided her 2019 Michael Cohen questioning
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Del Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands acknowledged on Wednesday, November 20, that she would not have asked former Trump attorney Michael Cohen certain questions during a 2019 House hearing without receiving text messages from convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The admission resurfaced after newly released congressional documents revealed her exchanges with Epstein.
Plaskett narrowly avoided censure in the House, with the motion failing 214–209 after defections reportedly aimed at avoiding a simultaneous censure of Republican Rep Cory Mills of Florida.
During an interview on CNN’s ‘Situation Room,’ co-host Pamela Brown pressed Plaskett on why she was communicating with Epstein, who had already been convicted of state prostitution charges at the time.
Stacey Plaskett admits Epstein’s tips shaped her Trump–Cohen questioning
Asked why she was texting him, Plaskett said she regularly received information from many people during major hearings. She described Epstein as one of several individuals offering tips as she prepared to question Cohen about alleged hush-money payments linked to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Plaskett said critics were exaggerating the significance of Epstein’s texts. But she acknowledged one key point when Brown asked if she would have questioned Cohen about former Trump assistant Rhona Graff without Epstein bringing up her name. Plaskett replied, “Probably not.”
She insisted her questions were also based on her own experience, adding she had “20 years of prosecutorial work” to guide her.
Epstein followed 2019 Michael Cohen hearing live, messages show
According to thousands of pages released by the House Oversight Committee, Epstein messaged Plaskett during the 2019 hearing as Cohen testified about business dealings, alleged payments, and internal Trump Organization operations. Epstein appeared to watch the hearing live and sent Plaskett comments in real time, including “Good work” after she questioned Cohen.
Plaskett’s office previously confirmed to CNN that she received texts from staff, constituents, and “the public at large,” which included Epstein.
Epstein victims, attorneys say Trump showed no wrongdoing
While Epstein attempted to influence Plaskett’s questioning of Trump-related matters, several Epstein victims have publicly said they had no knowledge of wrongdoing by Donald Trump.
Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, wrote in her posthumous memoir that she admired Trump. Her ghostwriter told People she was “a huge fan.” Attorney Bradley Edwards, who represented multiple Epstein victims, has repeatedly stated that Trump cooperated fully when subpoenaed.
“He is the only one who picked up the phone,” Edwards said in a 2018 video, noting that Trump offered information and showed no signs of inappropriate conduct.
