17.02.2026 23:52
Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack maintained close contact with convicted sex offender billionaire Jeffrey Epstein for years. The disclosed correspondence included striking phrases Barrack used in addressing Epstein. It was noted that Barrack said to Epstein, "I will not rest until you are hired as my servant. Who is my role model?"
The new documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice have brought to light a network of relationships that has shaken Washington's corridors. The documents reveal that Tom Barrack, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, maintained close contact with convicted sex offender billionaire Jeffrey Epstein for years after his conviction. Among the correspondence were striking phrases used by Barrack addressing Epstein.
COMMUNICATION THAT DID NOT CEASE AFTER CONVICTION
The documents show that contact between Barrack and Epstein did not end after Epstein's conviction in 2008. More than 100 text messages and emails reviewed by CBS News document that Barrack maintained both a social and professional relationship with Epstein.
It appears that this contact continued during the years Barrack was actively involved in Donald Trump's presidential campaign, chaired the inauguration committee, and served as an advisor in the White House.
"I WILL NOT REST UNTIL YOU HIRE ME AS YOUR SERVANT"
One of the most striking details in the documents is the phrases Barrack used in messages sent to Epstein. In an email dated 2011, Barrack stated, "I will not rest until you hire me as your servant. Who is my role model?"
The correspondence indicates that Epstein viewed Barrack not just as a friend, but as a gateway to influential circles.
POTENTIAL CHANNEL TO REACH TRUMP
According to the evaluations in the documents, Epstein positioned Barrack as a point of contact who could relay information to Trump. However, there is no concrete evidence in the records showing that the information shared by Epstein was directly communicated to Trump.
Nevertheless, the messages reveal the existence of a multi-layered relationship involving private invitations, investment discussions, and introductions to diplomats and businesspeople.
ENCRYPTED MESSAGES
According to the records, Epstein frequently encouraged Barrack to use encrypted messaging applications like Signal. During the 2016 presidential race, Epstein sent warning emails to Barrack regarding lawsuits filed against Trump, which are also included in the documents.
During the same period, it appears that Epstein acted as an intermediary to bring Barrack together with figures like Peter Thiel, Ehud Barak, and Vitaly Churkin.
A NETWORK EXTENDING FROM ROYAL CIRCLES TO THE GULF
The documents also show that the relationship was not limited to the U.S. In 2010, Epstein proposed a meeting between Barrack and Prince Andrew in New York; in 2012, he was recorded planning the sale of his mansion in New York to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani.
NO DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
78-year-old Tom Barrack was tried for allegedly conducting secret lobbying activities in favor of the United Arab Emirates during Trump's first term but was acquitted in 2022. Barrack, who rejoined the administration during Trump's second term, was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Special Representative for Syria at the beginning of 2026.
The disclosed documents particularly emphasize that there is no definitive evidence that Barrack directly participated in Epstein's criminal activities or was aware of them.