Billionaire Linked to Epstein’s Island Funneling Money For Democratic Event
Welcome Fest 2025, Supported by Hoffman’s $1.8 Million, Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein Ties and Dark Money
Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and philanthropist with an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion, is the largest contributor to the Welcome Political Action Committee (PAC), donating $1.8 million—about 60% of the PAC’s total funding during the 2022 election cycle. The PAC is organizing “Welcome Fest” on June 4, 2025, at the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, DC. The event is focused on centrist Democratic strategies and future planning under the theme “Responsibility to Win.” Scheduled speakers include Senator Elissa Slotkin and Representatives Jake Auchincloss, Jared Golden, and Ritchie Torres.
Hoffman’s past connections to financier Jeffrey Epstein have resurfaced as the event draws attention. In 2014, Hoffman visited Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, as part of a fundraising trip for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), after Epstein’s 2008 conviction related to soliciting a minor. According to 2023 reporting by The Wall Street Journal, Hoffman also stayed overnight at Epstein’s New York townhouse and traveled with him during the same year. In response to the report, Hoffman said he regretted his involvement, stating, “It gnaws at me that, by lending my association, I helped his reputation… I made the mistake.” He noted he had relied on MIT’s endorsement at the time.
Welcome PAC has financially supported several Democratic candidates. In 2024, it spent over $1.1 million on congressional races, including support for Janelle Stelson (PA), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), and Rebecca Cooke (WI). Cooke, who is speaking at Welcome Fest, received $170,000 from the PAC. Some local Democrats criticized the contribution, referring to it as “dark money” due to concerns over donor transparency. Cooke’s campaign responded by reiterating her commitment to campaign finance reform.
The PAC’s second-largest donor is James Murdoch, who gave $1.25 million. In 2022, the group spent over $597,000 supporting California Democrat Will Rollins, who was unsuccessful in congressional bids in both 2022 and 2024.
Welcome Fest has drawn criticism from some online commentators. One social media post mocked the event’s tone, while others pointed out a spelling error in promotional materials, where “responsibility” was misspelled.
In addition to supporting Welcome PAC, Hoffman has donated to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign and to Future Forward, a Super PAC backing Harris. His last known contact with Epstein was in 2015, and he has since publicly acknowledged the error in judgment.
This story originally appeared on The Daily Mail, but the link is whack, so I rewrote it.