They’ve had days now to respond, but the Democratic candidates for Wisconsin governor and Attorney General Josh Kaul are all refusing to pledge to reject campaign cash from a prominent Epstein island visitor. And the other news media are refusing to ask them about it.
That admitted island visitor is billionaire Reid Hoffman, and, as we previously documented, he has been the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s top donor since 2019, shoveling $15 million into the state party. Furthermore, Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, appears to be trying to influence the upcoming elections because he donated again to the Democrats in December 2025. Hoffman admitted going to Epstein’s horror-show island, although he denies wrongdoing, and newly released Epstein emails show plans for him to visit Epstein’s ranch and apartment, as well.
A search of Hoffman’s name in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Epstein files database returned more than 2,500 results. Hoffman sent the Democratic Party of Wisconsin another $100,000 on December 24, 2025. Two days later, he funneled another $175,000 to the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee, state records show, at a time when Democrats are trying to flip the state Legislature. Remember that the state party can turn around and funnel cash to top Democratic candidates (and those trying to flip the legislature), and has done so in the past.
Thus, we asked all the Democratic candidates for governor whether they would pledge not to accept any money from Hoffman; whether they would pledge not to accept any money from the state Democratic Party unless the Party returns the money; and whether they would call on the Democratic Party to return the money.
None responded.
Attorney General Josh Kaul, who holds a position considered the state’s “top cop,” also did not respond.
The state Democratic Party is also refusing to respond when asked whether the Party will return the money.
Tom Tiffany and Eric Toney, the Republican candidates for governor and attorney general, have criticized Democrats for taking the Epstein island visitor’s cash.
The Wisconsin Democratic Candidates for Governor Who Did Not Respond
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez did not respond.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley didn’t respond.
Joel Brennan didn’t respond.
Legislator Kelda Roys didn’t respond.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes didn’t respond.
Missy Hughes didn’t respond.
Legislator Francesca Hong didn’t respond.
All stayed silent despite the growing revelations that tie Hoffman to Epstein (again, Hoffman denies wrongdoing).
Reid Hoffman’s Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
A document submitted to Microsoft board members outlined Hoffman’s alleged interactions with Epstein in great detail (Hoffman remains on that board). And that was before the latest document dump revealed additional emails.
In one email, Epstein wrote that Hoffman should come to his ranch and island, exhorting, “Let’s play.”
Hoffman is also accused of helping rehabilitate Epstein’s reputation AFTER his conviction.
Axios previously reported that Hoffman “appears regretful for his role in enabling Jeffrey Epstein’s post-conviction rehabilitation.” According to the AP, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges: “one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18,” in 2008, six years before Hoffman’s island visit.
What’s new is that the DOJ’s January 2026 document dump contains even more links between Hoffman and Epstein than were previously known. This post’s thread contains some of the unearthed documents, which can also be obtained via the DOJ’s website.
Although he denies wrongdoing, Hoffman expressed regret on X. “Yes, interacting with Epstein post-conviction is something I deeply regret,” he wrote on February 1. “I promise to continue calling for the full release of the Epstein files – the victims deserve justice, and those responsible should be held accountable.” Hoffman has claimed that his interactions with Epstein were for MIT fundraising purposes.
Hoffman wrote on X:
“I only knew Jeffrey Epstein because of a fundraising relationship with MIT, which I very much regret. In 2019 I told Axios the last meeting I had with him was in 2015 but I was mistaken, as according to calendar entries I have become aware there were additional fundraising meetings in 2016 and 2018.”
He added: “These meetings were all coordinated by Joi Ito, then director of the MIT Media Lab: Apr 8, 2016, Meeting in Palo Alto Apr 29, 2016, Meeting w/ Joi Ito from MIT in Cambridge June 20, 2016, Skype Call June 25, 2016, Skype Call July 24th, 2016, Meeting w/ Joi Ito from MIT and Martin Nowak in Cambridge Mar 24, 2018, Skype Call w/ Joi Ito from MIT I have done multiple calendar searches, and if I find any other meetings, I will continue to share them. The victims of Epstein’s abhorrent and vile actions deserve all the information they are seeking, and I continue to call on President Trump to deliver that for them.”
Some news outlets have tried to draw a false equivalence between Elon Musk and Hoffman. There is no proof that Musk went to Epstein’s island, although emails show he considered it and tried to coordinate it. He denies ever doing so. Hoffman publicly admitted going to the island. Also, although Musk donated to the state GOP in what appears to be an attempt to influence the state Supreme Court race last year, he has not donated recently, whereas Hoffman is trying to influence upcoming elections. Finally, Hoffman donated five times the amount of Musk to their respective state party, and is the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s top donor. Finally, Hoffman allegedly worked to rehabilitate Epstein’s reputation after Epstein’s conviction on an underage sex offense.
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