Boris Epshteyn, a longtime ally of Donald Trump and part of his current transition team, is facing scrutiny from lawyers within the president-elect’s orbit concerning allegations that he is using his position for financial gain. According to multiple sources who spoke with CNN, Epshteyn is alleged to have made use of his proximity to Trump to request payment in exchange for promoting candidates to key positions in Trump’s upcoming administration, or offering to put individuals in touch with figures who will hold posts consequential to their industries. In one instance, he is alleged to have asked for as much as $100,000 per month for such a deal. Epshteyn is credited with recommending Matt Gaetz for attorney general, whom Trump initially announced as his appointment to the position, before Gaetz removed himself from consideration in the face of mounting pressure over allegations of child sex trafficking against him.
Epshteyn has categorically denied these accusations, telling CNN that he is “honored to work for President Trump and with his team,” and that “these fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.” Those looking into Epshteyn’s activities have reportedly told the Trump transition team to keep him at a distance, and even to remove him from the employ of Trump-related entities.
Over the past couple of weeks, stories of conflict between Epshteyn and other members of Trump’s transition team have been making their way around political media. Axios reported on November 18th that he and Elon Musk were increasingly butting heads over Cabinet appointments, with sources indicating to the D.C. outlet that the two had a “massive blowup” which included Musk accusing the Trump loyalist of leaking details of the Trump transition, as well as personnel picks, to the press. (Another source denied the report to the New York Post shortly after.) In another story first published by the Washington Post two days ago, Epshteyn had a run-in with the co-chair of Trump’s transition team, Howard Lutnick. According to the Post’s source, Lutnick tried to keep him out of a meeting, telling him that they “were not taking legal nominees today.” Epshteyn reportedly answered “I’m coming in,” and pushed past him into the room.
Epshteyn has been in the president-elect’s orbit since the days of his 2016 campaign, when he was a constant fixture on cable news promoting and defending then-candidate Trump, so much so that the New York Times dubbed him the Repubican hopeful’s “attack dog.” According to the Times’ report from that year, Epshteyn faced charges of misdemeanor assault two years prior in Scottsdale Arizona, which were dropped after he agreed to attend court-mandated anger management counseling and perform community service.
