08.02.2026 13:50
After the revelation of his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, former French Minister of Culture Jack Lang, facing increased pressure, resigned from the presidency of the Arab World Institute, deepening the political impact of the Epstein files in Europe.
The effects of the Jeffrey Epstein files published by the U.S. Department of Justice are resonating deeply in Europe as well. Jack Lang, the former French Minister of Culture, whose name appears hundreds of times in the documents, has resigned from his position as president of the Arab World Institute (IMA). The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the resignation.
HIS NAME APPEARS MORE THAN 600 TIMES
Lang's name appears more than 600 times in the correspondence contained in millions of new documents made public by the Department of Justice on January 30. The connections revealed by the documents have sparked discussions in the international public sphere while also creating significant pressure in French politics.
HE ALLOCATED HIS PRIVATE JET FOR A TRIP TO MOROCCO
In the Epstein files, Lang's relationship with the former U.S. financier has particularly drawn attention in the fields of diplomacy and culture. The documents include details such as Lang proposing cultural events to Epstein in Paris and allocating his private jet for a trip to Morocco in 2017. Additionally, it was noted in the documents that he shared emails with Epstein regarding children's religious and sexuality education. Following these developments, politicians from various parties in France demanded Lang's resignation from the presidency of the IMA, and the increasing public pressure accelerated the process leading to his resignation.
FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION AND OTHER EXPLANATIONS
Lang's resignation came not only from political pressure but also after it was learned that the French financial prosecutor's office was conducting a preliminary investigation against Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang for suspected "aggravated tax fraud laundering." The documents claimed that there were indications that Lang may have had financial relationships with Epstein beyond just social contact.
Jack Lang is known as a figure who has shaped his long political career in the fields of culture and education. However, this scandal has led to him being in the spotlight more for his international reputation than for his cultural heritage projects in France. While resigning, Lang denied the allegations and claimed he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes. However, the increasing media and political pressure made his departure inevitable.