LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman says: Visit to Epstein's island taught me a 'Google lesson'

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and billionaire investor has now admitted that he learned a hard lesson during his brief visit to jeffery Epstein’s private island. He said that it is always important to do more research before agreeing to such engagements. As reported by Business Insider, speaking on the Dec. 1 episode of Eric Newcomer’s podcast, Hoffman revealed that he spent one night on the island in connection with fundraising efforts for the MIT Foundation. He mentioned that he was told Epstein would be more likely to donate to MIT if he visited. “Note to self: Google before going,” Hoffman remarked, describing the property as having a pool, guest rooms, and a courtyard.Hoffman has consistently maintained his stance that his interactions with Epstein who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges was only limited to fund-raising for the MIT Media Lab. He also described Epstein as a “masterful networker” who sought to build influence by attending high-profile gatherings.Hoffman further recalled a 2015 dinner in Palo Alto which he hosted for an MIT researcher. Epstein attended altho dinner along with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Hoffman said he was later told Epstein’s presence made him more likely to donate.Spokespersons for Zuckerberg and Musk confirmed their attendance at the dinner to Business Insider in 2019, noting it was the only time Zuckerberg met Epstein.Hoffman reiterated his regret for the association, noting he had already distanced himself from Epstein by the time the financier’s crimes became widely known. “I went and kind of made a very public apology because it was like, okay I realized this and I’d already at that point had ramped down connection with him,” Hoffman said. He added that Epstein occasionally emailed him afterward, but he avoided further meetings.Hoffman further stressed on the importance of Justice for Epstein’s victims and also urged the government to release ‘every single piece of intel that they have about Epstein.’His comments come after President Donald Trump signed a bill in November requiring the Department of Justice to release its files on Epstein by December 19. Trump has also ordered investigations into Hoffman and other figures, including Bill Clinton and Larry Summers, over their ties to Epstein.