1:50Rep. James Comer speaks at a press conference at the US Capitol on October 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. | House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries talks to reporters during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on November 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.Tasos Katopodis | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed inquiries Wednesday about whether he had requested campaign contributions from Jeffrey Epstein, branding House Oversight Chairman James Comer a "stone cold liar" after Comer claimed Tuesday that Jeffries had sought funds from the convicted sex offender back in 2013.
During Tuesday afternoon’s floor discussion on the Epstein files legislation, Comer directly targeted Jeffries.
"Democrats have remained silent regarding their colleague’s engagement with Epstein," Comer, R-Ky., stated. "An additional email indicates that Democrat fundraisers extended an invitation to Epstein to attend an event, or to meet privately with Hakeem Jeffries in 2013, as a component of their endeavor to establish a Democrat House majority."
Jeffries countered sharply.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries talks to reporters during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on November 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
"Was that a genuine inquiry or a serious assertion from that malevolent buffoon James Comer that I had Jeffrey Epstein over for supper, that I took finances from Jeffrey Epstein?" Jeffries questioned. "What strikes me as remarkable concerning the farce occurring on the other side of the aisle is their unpunished deceit regarding matters that can be objectively verified."
According to documents revealed by Oversight Republicans last week, Epstein was sent a campaign request on May 7, 2013, from a fundraising company promoting Jeffries as "one of the up-and-coming figures in the New York Congressional contingent" and an "unwavering advocate of President Obama."
"Hakeem is dedicated to electing a Democratic majority in 2014 and is urging his acquaintances to participate in the DCCC/DSCC fundraising dinner with President Obama this upcoming night," the communication stated, also including guidelines for recipients who "wish to become involved with the dinner or desire the chance to get acquainted with Hakeem more personally."
The correspondence featured the text from an NY1 feature on Jeffries and is endorsed by Darren Rigger, Lisa Rossi, and Walter Swett of Dynamic SRG, which promotes itself as a foremost political fundraising and public affairs agency for progressive candidates and causes in New York City.
Dynamic SRG did not provide a response to ABC News’ query regarding whether Jeffries was aware of the communication.
Rep. James Comer speaks at a press conference at the US Capitol on October 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
On Wednesday, Jeffries refrained from directly addressing whether he had ever solicited contributions from Epstein — asserting, instead, that Republicans "have been concealing the Epstein files" for several months.
When questioned about whether he had ever requested funds from Epstein in return for a meet-and-greet, Jeffries labeled Comer a "stone cold liar."
"I am unaware of the subject James Comer raises concerning any former advisor perhaps sending such a request," Jeffries stated. "I had no knowledge of such matters either; yet, James Comer apparently declared on the House floor that I had convened with Jeffrey Epstein, had dinner with Jeffrey Epstein, and received donations from Jeffrey Epstein. He is a stone-cold liar, and James Comer is aware of this fact."
On Tuesday, Jeffries informed CNN that he did not remember the correspondence and had never encountered Epstein.
"I do not recall the communication," Jeffries conveyed. "I have never spoken with him, have never been introduced to him, and have no familiarity with him beyond the reprehensible actions for which he was convicted."
A Comer spokesperson contended that the correspondence released by the committee is self-explanatory.
"Hakeem Jeffries is the stone-cold liar," she asserted. "The communication, which came to light as a consequence of Chairman Comer’s subpoena addressed to the Epstein estate, is authentic and speaks for itself. Hakeem’s fundraisers made a plea on his behalf to invite Jeffrey Epstein to a dinner or a personal meeting."
The solicitation occurred years after Epstein had previously registered as a sex offender in 2010, and following his 2008 guilty plea to state charges of soliciting prostitution and soliciting prostitution with a minor.
ABC News could not locate documentation of any donations from Epstein to Jeffries or entities associated with him, and Jeffries has never been accused of any misconduct relating to Epstein.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
