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Adviser steps down amid Epstein message controversy
Slovakia's national security adviser, Miroslav Lajčák, resigned on Saturday following the release of U.S. documents showing exchanges with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prime Minister Robert Fico accepted the departure, calling Lajčák a valued diplomatic asset.
Context of the resignation
The U.S. Department of Justice published three million files on Friday linked to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. While the documents do not allege wrongdoing by those mentioned, they have reignited scrutiny of Epstein's associates.
Content of the messages
In October 2018, while serving as Slovakia's foreign minister, Lajčák exchanged texts with Epstein discussing women and a planned meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. After Epstein shared an unseen image, Lajčák joked, "Why don't you invite me for these games? I would take the 'MI' girl."
"Who wouldn't," Epstein replied. "You can have them both, I am not possessive. And their sisters."
Later, Epstein urged Lajčák to ask Lavrov for a T-shirt featuring Lavrov and the late Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin, adding, "You get the tee shirt. Then you get the girls." Lajčák agreed. Epstein then remarked, "No kidding their sisters are both swimming in the pool."
Lajčák responded, "That's not fair!" Epstein followed up: "Though they're all under 30. So. Probably too young for you. Or should I say under 50." Lajčák replied, "Don't be mean. You don't know me in action."
Additional correspondence
In a November 2017 email, Lajčák asked Epstein to help a female film producer secure an Oscar shortlist spot for her movie. Slovak media reported Lajčák initially denied discussing women with Epstein but later resigned to avoid political harm to Fico.
Political fallout
Fico defended Lajčák, framing the backlash as an attack on his own leadership. "I have not seen so much hypocrisy in his criticism for a long time, and from all sides," he said in a video statement.
Lajčák, a veteran diplomat, had served in four Slovak governments-three under Fico-and most recently as the EU's special representative for the Western Balkans.
Broader revelations
The released files also detail Epstein's ties to other high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, former UK cabinet minister Lord Peter Mandelson, Bill Gates, and Britain's Prince Andrew. Images of the former Duke of York, stripped of his titles over his Epstein ties, appear to show him kneeling over a woman on the ground.
