These days, social media is flooded with sensational conspiracy theories about the Epstein files, many of which have racked up millions of views. In the era of AI-generated content, however, separating fact from fiction has become increasingly difficult.
To sort truth from rumor, CBS News Confirmed examined the most viral claims about Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their alleged connections to major moments in American history. Here’s what the reporting found.
Is Epstein alive and living in Israel? FALSE
Images circulating online claim to show Epstein walking through Tel Aviv with security guards. But analysis revealed clear signs the pictures were AI-generated.
One Reddit image posted Feb. 1 contains a Gemini AI watermark in the lower-right corner, and a background sign reads “Haangus Ev.” — a street name that does not exist.
Some online users also pointed to Fortnite as supposed supporting evidence, claiming Epstein’s in-game account had recently become active in Israel.
That claim is also false.
Records do show movie and subscription receipts tied to Epstein’s YouTube account “littlestjeff1,” registered to the email jeevacation@gmail.com.
There is also an email referencing a $25.95 purchase of V-Bucks, Fortnite’s in-game currency. However, the message does not list any username, and both sender and recipient information are redacted.
Online speculation relies on the assumption that Epstein used the same username across platforms — and that he even had a Fortnite account — neither of which is supported by evidence.
A Fortnite profile named “littlestjeff1” did show activity as recently as 2025, after Epstein’s death. When social media speculation intensified, the account was set to private in February, further fueling rumors.
Fortnite later clarified that an existing user changed their username to “littlestjeff1” after Epstein’s YouTube handle became public. The company also said it has no record of Epstein’s email addresses in its system.
Separately, social media users have compared postmortem photos released by the Metropolitan Correctional Center with images of Epstein while he was alive, pointing to facial differences as proof he is still alive.
CBS News reviewed photos of Epstein from 2004 through 2019. While some features appear different, research from the NIH shows facial changes after death can occur due to swelling during decomposition.
Many of Epstein’s distinctive traits remain consistent — including his curly gray hair, heavy eyebrows, pronounced smile lines, chin crease, and nostril shape.
A characteristic indentation between his eyebrows is visible across the years, along with under-eye wrinkles and bags. Forensic research indicates facial creases can remain identifiable despite postmortem bloating.
Post-death images of Epstein closely resemble photos taken after a suicide attempt one month earlier, as well as images from 2004, 2013, and 2017.
A comparison of Jeffrey Epstein’s facial features across photos from 2004, 2013, 2017, July 2019, and images taken after his death in August 2019 shows consistent identifying traits.
In August 2019, New York City’s Chief Medical Examiner determined that Epstein died by suicide by hanging. A forensic pathologist hired by Epstein’s brother, who attended the autopsy, told “60 Minutes” that fingerprints taken from the body in Epstein’s jail cell matched prints collected during his 2006 arrest in Florida.
Was Epstein connected to JonBenet Ramsey? FALSE
After the U.S. Department of Justice released its latest batch of Epstein documents, social media users circulated a photo from Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse showing a young girl on his shoulders wearing a jumper similar to one seen in a well-known image of JonBenet Ramsey.
While the clothing items resemble each other, the garment is generic and widely worn by children. There is no evidence linking Epstein or his crimes to JonBenet’s 1996 death in Boulder, Colorado.
JonBenet’s father, John Ramsey, dismissed the claim, telling TMZ there is “absolutely no truth to it.”
Were Epstein and Maxwell connected to Madeleine McCann? FALSE
The disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007 has long captured global attention. Viral TikTok and Instagram videos now claim that a composite sketch of a potential witness resembles Ghislaine Maxwell.
The sketch is authentic and was released by private investigators in August 2009. However, photos of Maxwell from May 2007 show she wore her hair significantly longer than the woman depicted in the sketch, and other images from that year confirm the same.
An online tip submitted to the FBI in 2009 alleged a sighting of Maxwell with McCann, and that document appears in the files. But it remains an unverified tip. The DOJ has warned that released materials may contain unverified or false submissions from the public.
Surveillance footage often shared online does show a woman walking with a child after McCann’s disappearance. However, there is no proof that the individuals are Maxwell or McCann.
CBS News Confirmed therefore rated this theory false.
Was Maxwell replaced with a lookalike? FALSE
Following Maxwell’s February deposition, some online commentators claimed differences in her appearance and voice proved she had been replaced by a double.
CBS News compared images from 2015, 2016, and 2020 with the 2026 deposition footage and found consistent features, including her thin dark eyebrows, slightly protruding ears, and distinctive lip shape. Her hairstyle also maintained a rounded form with a visible indent, similar to earlier years.
Claims that her voice sounded different were countered by older DOJ videos showing she spoke more softly in earlier depositions.
Maxwell has been incarcerated since July 2020 and is serving a 20-year sentence. Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, confirmed she personally attended the deposition and dismissed the conspiracy claims.
Her siblings have repeatedly spoken publicly about her imprisonment, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons database lists her as an inmate.
A comparison of Ghislaine Maxwell’s facial features across images from 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2026 shows consistent identifying traits.
Soon after, a new AI-generated video began circulating online claiming to show Maxwell standing on a street in Canada with gray hair but familiar features. Analysis determined the clip was a face-swap deepfake. The creator later confirmed it was intended as satire but was reposted and misrepresented by others seeking engagement.
Did Epstein torture a girl with a magnifying glass? FALSE
Some users alleged a viral video showed Jeffrey Epstein abusing a young girl with a magnifying glass. However, the footage has been debunked: it is a scene from the adult film “Drea Morgan Stakeout Under Glass,” featuring actor Lew Rubens, who only resembles Epstein.
Did Epstein plan the COVID-19 pandemic? FALSE
Claims online pointed to a 2015 email titled “Preparing for pandemics” as supposed proof Epstein foresaw COVID-19. The message actually concerned a pandemic-preparedness meeting in Geneva. Despite Epstein’s past connections to Bill Gates, there is no evidence he had foreknowledge of the pandemic or any involvement in vaccine development.
Was Maxwell connected to the 9/11 attacks? FALSE
Emails sent to Maxwell shortly after September 11 have circulated online, but they lack context and do not demonstrate any link to the attacks. One message referenced a helicopter landing in Santa Monica. Journalist Edward Jay Epstein later invited Maxwell to a private “Shadow Commission on 9/11,” which she declined. There is no evidence of involvement.
Did Epstein gain access to millions of school photos? FALSE
Rumors tied Epstein’s associate Leon Black to Lifetouch school photography, suggesting images were misused. Lifetouch’s CEO stated the photos are strictly protected for families and schools and are never shared with third parties. Apollo Global Management, which acquired Shutterfly in 2019, does not manage Lifetouch’s operations or image access.
Did Epstein contract kuru from cannibalism? FALSE
Online claims cite videos where Epstein’s face appears swollen as evidence of kuru disease. Medical guidance shows kuru is linked to ritual cannibalism and leads to death within one to two years of symptoms. There is no evidence Epstein had the disease, and a quoted email was taken figuratively, not literally.
Is the “They ate humans” video connected to Epstein? FALSE
A viral Spanish-language video showing a woman shouting outside a hotel in Monterrey, Mexico, has been falsely linked to Epstein. The woman, Gabriela Rico Jimenez, does not mention Epstein in the footage, and there is no evidence connecting the incident to him.