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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, right, got her facts confused while trying to tie a Trump administration cabinet member to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. (Davidoff Studios / Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

Fact Check: Is Jasmine Crockett Correct About a Trump Cabinet Member Taking Money from Epstein?

By Randy DeSoto November 20, 2025 at 3:30am

Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett wrongly accused Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin of receiving campaign donations from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was a member of Congress.

Crockett made the allegation from the House floor during a debate Tuesday on whether to censure Democratic Virgin Islands delegate Stacey Plaskett for texting with Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing while former President Donald Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen, was being questioned.

Plaskett denied wrongdoing, saying Epstein was a constituent of hers and she was merely seeking information from him to help her question Cohen during the hearing.

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Randy DeSoto

Contributing Journalist

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Randy DeSoto has written more than 4,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."

@RandyDeSoto

Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.

Birthplace

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated dean's list from West Point

Education

United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law

Books Written

We Hold These Truths

Professional Memberships

Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars