Some Hollywood figures let the Russia and Trump conspiracy theories fly on the news that convicted pedophile and accused child sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his Metropolitan Correctional Center prison cell on Saturday morning, after he had reportedly been taken off of suicide watch.
“Vlad” said actor Ron Perlman, a clear reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vlad!!! https://t.co/v6VkLkAeIZ
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) August 10, 2019
Showtime’s Billions creator Brian Koppelman wasn’t as coy as Perlman, writing “Epstein suicide. Sure. Seems likely. Probably what happened. Hey, folks, we’re Russia now. Enjoy it.”
Epstein suicide. Sure. Seems likely. Probably what happened.
Hey, folks, we’re Russia now. Enjoy it.
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) August 10, 2019
Guardians of the Galaxy and Gruber star Dave Bautista responded to a Twitter user asking “was Epstein ‘Suicided’? by saying “Is that the same thing as Putin’d?”
Is that the same thing as Putin’d? https://t.co/VtCOA5HqmZ
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) August 10, 2019
Actor George Takei also suggested a Russia connection, asking his Twitter followers if Epstein’s death “sounds like something that would happen in Russia.”
“It is disturbing that a powerful billionaire accused of sex trafficking minors, who was already on suicide watch, has died while in federal custody, his many secrets about other powerful men going with him to the grave. This sounds like something that would happen in Russia, no?” Takei said.
It is disturbing that a powerful billionaire accused of sex trafficking minors, who was already on suicide watch, has died while in federal custody, his many secrets about other powerful men going with him to the grave. This sounds like something that would happen in Russia, no?
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 10, 2019
Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly found unresponsive in his cell at around 6:30 a.m. His death was “an apparent suicide,” the Department of Justice said.
The millionaire, who counted Bill and Hillary Clinton among his many powerful friends, was apparently taken off suicide watch just weeks after attempting to harm himself. Breitbart News reported:
On July 23, the 66-year-old was found unconscious with marks on his neck. He was put on suicide watch for six days before being returned to his cell in a high-security part of the jail, the New York Times reported.
The Department of Justice’s inspector general and the FBI immediately launched probes as politicians, law enforcement officials, and alleged victims expressed shock that Epstein could take his own life.
…
Epstein’s death came one day after a New York court released a tranche of sealed legal documents, providing new details about what prosecutors allege was Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation.
The suspicious timing and details surrounding Epstein’s death resulted in some Hollywood stars jumping to conclusions about his passing, the blame being placed on President Trump and even Attorney General William Barr.
“I guess they think a country dumb enough to elect Trump is stupid enough to believe Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. Or not. Love that they did it on the traditional Friday night/early Saturday morning “document dump” time when they know the fewest people will follow it.” said documentary filmmaker Michael Moore.
I guess they think a country dumb enough to elect Trump is stupid enough to believe Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. Or not. Love that they did it on the traditional Friday night/early Saturday morning “document dump” time when they know the fewest people will follow it. pic.twitter.com/GRpCOlh5B1
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) August 10, 2019
Actor-comedian Patton Oswalt joked that “Trump had him killed.”
“I mean, Trump had him killed. Mon dieu, you fucking idiots.” — Hercule Poirot, MURDER ON THE LOLITA EXPRESS, page 2
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 10, 2019
Actor Zach Braff wrote “Boss, should we make it look like a hanging or overdose?” with an image of Barr attached to his tweet.
“Boss, should we make it look like a hanging or overdose?” pic.twitter.com/0kOTNH7dRU
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) August 10, 2019
Elsewhere, actor Jeffrey Wright said “Federal custody of Epstein was overseen by **these notes here** William Barr. ‘Shady’ doesn’t even begin to describe this.”
Federal custody of Epstein was overseen by **these notes here** William Barr. ‘Shady’ doesn’t even begin to describe this. https://t.co/O3Z4RhyXsw
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) August 10, 2019
“Bill Barr’s DOJ took him off suicide watch. The same Barr who works for Trump.” said actress Patricia Arquette. “The same Barr who had to recuse in Epstein case in Florida. Tge sane Barr who refuses to recuse himself in NY & who’s father hired Epstein even though unqualified to teach KIDS”
Bill Barr’s DOJ took him off suicide watch. The same Barr who works for Trump. The same Barr who had to recuse in Epstein case in Florida. Tge sane Barr who refuses to recuse himself in NY & who’s father hired Epstein even though unqualified to teach KIDS.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) August 10, 2019
Debra Messing appeared to suggest that Trump has “finally killed someone on 5th Avenue.”
He finally killed someone on 5th Avenue.
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 10, 2019
Check out all the Hollywood reaction below.
The can of Jeffrey Epstein’s worms has been opened. And they will be crawling all over some very powerful people. Have a nice vacation Mr. President.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 10, 2019
Remember the scene in the Godfather? Tom Hagen who talks of Roman traitors to Frankie Pentangeli who then kills himself… life imitating art? Powerful people didn’t want Epstein to talk. I want to find out who.
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 10, 2019
the CO answered the shadowy figure who was just…thinking aloud;
“i wonder how jeffrey will die”
“suicide. watch.” https://t.co/BJnroGRCRb
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 10, 2019
Suicide is not a laughing matter except in the case of Jeffrey Epstein.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) August 10, 2019
suspicious https://t.co/PHy5u6r5t4
— ROSIE (@Rosie) August 10, 2019
Barr gave Epstein enough rope to close this case. https://t.co/oOk6wUlAqX
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) August 10, 2019
Epstein flipped HARD. He knew they were gonna kill him so they faked his death on a Saturday morning. They took him out and put him in witness protection, Everybody is about to burn…
Just kidding, they killed him like a dictator thug in a banana republic. Just wanted U2 smile
— Christopher Titus (@TitusNation) August 10, 2019
Jerome Hudson is Breitbart News Entertainment Editor and author of the forthcoming book 50 Things They Don’t Want You to Know, from HarperCollins. Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter @jeromeehudson.