CNN Investigation Reveals Deepak Chopra Had Closer Friendship with Jeffrey Epstein Than Previously Known
- Another report by Voice of San Diego, which conducted an extensive review of the correspondence, said "Epstein and Chopra's conversations often vacillated between the heady and the physical.”
In a detailed investigation published Feb. 20, 2026, CNN revealed that wellness guru Deepak Chopra maintained a closer and more extensive friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than was previously known, based on the network’s review of hundreds of messages between the two men released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Jeffrey Epstein had a closer friendship with best-selling author and wellness guru Deepak Chopra than was previously known, according to files released by the Justice Department. CNN reviewed hundreds of messages between the two men,” the network reported in a video segment featuring Senior National Enterprise Correspondent MJ Lee.
The revelation comes as part of CNN’s ongoing analysis of more than 3 million pages of documents released by the Department of Justice under a law passed in 2025, offering the most comprehensive look yet at Epstein’s network of powerful acquaintances.
CNN’s investigation builds on earlier reports that first emerged when the files were released on Jan. 30, 2026, but provides new details about the depth and nature of the Chopra-Epstein connection.
According to CNN’s previous reporting, the network found emails where Epstein asked if Chopra could arrange for Leonardo DiCaprio to join a dinner with filmmaker Woody Allen. The files show Chopra responding, “I can certainly ask him if he is around,” though it’s unclear what came of the idea, according to CNN.
The network also documented that “Epstein corresponded frequently with Chopra. They exchanged news articles and set up meetings,” according to CNN’s Feb. 3 analysis. One 2017 dinner that Chopra was unable to attend included Epstein, Allen and Slovakian then-Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák, CNN reported.
The Infamous “Cute Girls” Email
Among the most jarring revelations is an email from March 8, 2017, in which Chopra wrote to Epstein: “God is a construct. Cute girls are real,” according to multiple outlets.
Voice of San Diego, which conducted an extensive review of the correspondence, reported that “Epstein and Chopra’s conversations often vacillated between the heady and the physical. In one series of emails from March 2017, Epstein and Chopra correspond in truncated stanzas that devolve into talk of ‘cute girls.'”
Another March 2017 exchange examined by Voice of San Diego appeared to have been prompted by a LinkedIn post Chopra sent to Epstein:
Chopra: “Do you and I are 2 illusions speaking to each other? Why bother?”
Epstein: “two chemical interactions with survival drive. no more. illusion of self. .its obvious. you dont know why you do anything at all. you make a story to try to explain it to yourself.”
The “Bring Your Girls” Invitation
In a February 2017 email, Chopra invited Epstein to join him in Israel, writing: “Come to Israel with us. Relax and have fun with interesting people. If you want use a fake name. Bring your girls. It will be fun to have you,” according to The Daily Beast.
This invitation came nine years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Voice of San Diego reported that in one exchange, “Epstein urged Chopra to find him a ‘cute Israeli blonde.’ Chopra responds he would, but warned they were ‘militant aggressive and v=sexy.'”
The files reveal that Chopra turned to Epstein for various forms of guidance and connections.
According to NPR, voice messages in the files show Chopra sought financial guidance from Epstein. CBS News reported that Epstein’s calendar showed about a dozen meetings with Chopra between 2016 and 2019.
In one August 2016 email, Chopra wrote that his “biological needs are met occasionally but – that too – it seems I’ve been there / done that,” according to SWNS. He went on to write: “Maybe some more clarity then I do enjoy the company of younger intellectually sharp and self aware women and love to engage with them to inspire and stimulate them,” SWNS reported.
Following Epstein’s Legal Troubles
The files show Chopra paid close attention to Epstein’s ongoing legal issues.
In November 2016, Epstein sent Chopra a Daily Mail article about a woman dropping allegations that she had been sexually assaulted by both Epstein and Donald Trump when she was 13, according to Parade.
According to the documents, Chopra asked: “Did she also drop civil case against you?” When Epstein replied “yup,” Chopra responded: “Good.”
Reuters reported that Epstein used his relationship with Chopra to arrange social gatherings mixing celebrities with political figures. The House Oversight Committee documents show Epstein coordinated dinners bringing together Chopra, filmmaker Woody Allen, and Miroslav Lajčák, who was serving as President of the UN General Assembly at the time.
In a February 2017 email, Chopra invited Epstein to join him in Israel, writing: “Come to Israel with us. Relax and have fun with interesting people. If you want use a fake name. Bring your girls. It will be fun to have you.”
One email from Epstein’s assistant on Nov. 29, 2017, invited Chopra to a 7 p.m. dinner, noting: “we are hoping you will be pleased to join Jeffrey, Woody Allen and his wife, Soon Yi, as well as Miroslav Lajcak, MFA Slovakia Foreign Minister, for dinner! They will all be here as well,” according to SWNS.
Chopra replied minutes later: “Ok. Looking forward to it,” SWNS reported.
Voice of San Diego reported that after one evening with Epstein, Chopra described it as “a blast. Ended 1 AM.”
The Nature of Text Exchanges
Voice of San Diego published excerpts from text message exchanges between Chopra and a redacted number that reference discussions about creating an app and a board game — topics Epstein and Chopra had discussed via email.
In one October 2016 text exchange, Chopra thanked someone for “a v lovely experience,” adding a hearts emoji. The exchange included this striking comment from the redacted contact: “I liked watching you zero in on your prey,” according to Voice of San Diego.
In response to discussion of a woman they had met, Chopra wrote: “In many ways (redacted) is more connected to ‘reality’ than the brilliant scientists. I felt connecte to her at the level of awareness,” Voice of San Diego reported.
Chopra’s Response
Following the document release, Chopra issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Feb. 4, 2026, which he pinned to the top of his account.
“I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case, and I unequivocally condemn abuse and exploitation in all forms,” Chopra wrote.
“I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity,” he stated.
Chopra acknowledged: “Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time.”
His statement concluded: “My focus remains on supporting accountability, prevention, and efforts that protect and support survivor.
The Timeline of Contact
According to Voice of San Diego, Chopra appeared to have first met Epstein in July 2016, nearly a decade after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting sex with a minor in 2008. The relationship continued through at least November 2018, according to email records in the files.
Yahoo Entertainment reported that the documents show Chopra maintained regular contact with Epstein from at least 2016 through 2019.
Following the release of the Epstein files, artist and entrepreneur Sevda Rubens alleged on X that Chopra behaved inappropriately toward her at a meditation event in Europe when she was 16, according to American Bazaar.
“When I was 16 years old, I attended a meditation event hosted by Deepak Chopra in Europe,” Rubens wrote, according to American Bazaar. She alleged that during the event, Chopra gave her his phone number and suggested they meet late at night. She said she refused the request and walked away feeling uneasy about the interaction.
American Bazaar noted that Rubens shared the allegation while referencing Chopra’s public response to the Epstein-linked emails, in which he denied any involvement in criminal or exploitative behavior.
This story was aggregated by AI from several news reports and edited by American Kahani’s News Desk.