Jeffrey Epstein Leveraged Nobel Peace Prize Ties To Pursue Bill Gates, Steve Bannon

Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 23:08 IST

US documents link Jeffrey Epstein to ex-Nobel committee head Thorbjorn Jagland, sparking a Norway corruption probe. Jagland denies the claims.

Freshly released US Justice Department documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reference former Nobel Peace Prize committee head Thorbjorn Jagland multiple times, shedding light on their association and prompting a corruption investigation in Norway.

According to an Associated Press report, Jagland who led the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015 is mentioned extensively in the trove of documents. While there is no evidence so far of direct lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize, Epstein frequently highlighted his relationship with Jagland in communications with global elites.

Hosted At Epstein’s Properties

The documents show that Epstein told several prominent figures that he had hosted Jagland at his properties in New York and Paris during the 2010s.

In 2018, Epstein exchanged text messages with Steve Bannon, a former ally of US President Donald Trump, referencing Trump’s interest in the Nobel Peace Prize. At one point, Epstein wrote: “Donald’s head would explode if he knew you were now buds with the guy who on Monday will decide the Nobel Peace Prize."

Epstein also emailed British entrepreneur Richard Branson in 2013, saying Jagland would be staying with him and inviting Branson to meet him, describing Jagland as someone he “might find interesting."

Similar outreach was made to former White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler, shortly after her tenure under President Barack Obama, with Epstein writing: “Head of Nobel Peace Prize coming to visit, want to join?"

Epstein also contacted former US Treasury Secretary and Harvard University president Larry Summers, stating that the “head of the Nobel Peace Prize" was staying with him “if you have any interest." In private messages, Epstein reportedly described Jagland as “not bright" but said he offered a “unique perspective."

In 2014, Epstein wrote to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, informing him that Jagland had been reelected as head of the Council of Europe. Gates replied, “I guess his peace prize committee job is also up in the air?"

Nobel Decisions During Jagland’s Tenure

During Jagland’s time as chair, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Obama in 2009 and to the European Union in 2012.

Jagland was reportedly introduced to Epstein through Norwegian diplomat Terje Rod Larsen, who is known for helping broker the Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and the Palestinians.

Corruption Probe Underway

Jagland has now been charged with “aggravated corruption" in connection with the documents, the Associated Press reported, citing Norway’s economic crime unit.

Authorities are investigating whether gifts, travel or loans were received in connection with his position. Norwegian police have searched Jagland’s residence in Oslo as well as two other properties as part of the probe.

Jagland has denied the allegations, his lawyers said, as the investigation continues.

News world Jeffrey Epstein Leveraged Nobel Peace Prize Ties To Pursue Bill Gates, Steve Bannon

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