Bari Weiss hire gave Epstein private medical advice after 2008 sex conviction

A wellness influencer hired by controversial CBS News head Bari Weiss maintained significantly closer ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein than previously disclosed, according to newly uncovered emails obtained by Politico.

Celebrity doctor Peter Attia, who resigned as a CBS contributor before his first on-air appearance, was invited to stay in Epstein's Manhattan apartment and was introduced to a foreign-born model who later came forward as one of Epstein's abuse victims, the report claims.

Days after meeting Attia, the model was asked to join him and "several friends" for drinks at the luxury Baccarat Hotel in Midtown Manhattan alongside "two additional top candidates," according to an email she forwarded to Epstein.

"I think she will be loyal," Epstein wrote to Attia in an email about the model.

Brittany Henderson, an attorney for the model, confirmed she is a victim of Epstein's abuse and declined to comment further.

The previously unreported introduction represents just one example of Attia repeatedly leveraging his connection to Epstein while launching his medical practice. Court documents reveal Attia solicited Epstein for patient referrals in 2015, occupied an empty Upper East Side apartment Epstein owned in 2016, discussed a 2017 job opportunity with Epstein, and provided him with health advice and testing over several years.

These interactions all occurred years after Epstein's 2008 child prostitution conviction, which required him to register as a sex offender.

The evidence indicates Attia cultivated a far more substantial relationship with the late convicted sex offender than he has publicly admitted. Last month, Attia claimed to have met Epstein on "approximately seven or eight occasions at his New York City home" to discuss research studies and meet scientists, doctors, business leaders, and heads of state.

Health experts say the Epstein connection provided yet another reason to keep influencers like Attia off healthcare platforms. The growing pattern of physicians from New York through Florida through Ohio cozying up to the sex offender after his 2008 conviction has now fueled demands for accountability.

"With doctors, there is a higher standard of behavior and of judgment because professional requirements mean physicians agree to do no harm. Doctors are given huge responsibility and status in our society for patient care and for guiding what could be life and death decisions," said Jocalyn Clark, a doctor of public health, leading global health expert focused on gender equality and the international editor for the BMJ, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Attia has made at least three appearances on Joe Rogan's wildly popular podcast—the most-streamed show on Spotify and hugely influential among conservatives. He had his own segment on CBS News' "60 Minutes" last fall. Weeks later, Bari Weiss, CBS News' recently appointed editor-in-chief, brought Attia on board as one of 19 new contributors meant to make the network "fit for purpose in the 21st century."

CBS made no mention of the blood tests or gait analysis Attia provided to Epstein. The planned visit to Epstein's ranch was left unmentioned. And the revelation about Attia's role in introducing the model significantly deepens what's known about his dealings with the convicted sex offender.

Attia stepped down from his CBS position last month, with a network spokesperson claiming the influencer wanted to avoid being a "distraction." He subsequently cut ties with protein bar maker David and supplement company AG1, formerly Athletic Greens.

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