The Epstein Chronicles

Episode: Leon Black And His Response To The New York Times
Host: Bobby Capucci
Date: March 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bobby Capucci takes a hard look at billionaire Leon Black's response to the New York Times exposé on his extensive financial and social ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Capucci dissects Black’s letter to Apollo Global investors, unpacks the excuses of elites caught up with Epstein, and criticizes the broader systemic failures that allowed such associations (and covering up) to occur. The episode maintains Bobby’s signature, unfiltered tone and brings pointed questions to the broader pattern of denial from society’s most powerful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leon Black’s Excuses & Public Response

• Main Point: Leon Black, CEO of Apollo Global Management, admitted to wiring between $50 million and $75 million to Epstein but denies any wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct.
• Black wrote to investors after The New York Times revealed previously unreported payments and continued association with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction.
• Capucci: “That’s the excuse they’ll all use... ‘I didn’t know what he was up to...’ And that’s the tired and used excuse that these people have used ever since Epstein was arrested the first time around.” (02:28)
• Bobby is skeptical of Black’s claim of ignorance: “A monkey with learning disabilities could Google and figure out that Jeffrey Epstein was a scumbag.” (06:56)

2. The Nature of Black’s Relationship with Epstein

• Key Point: The sums involved are far beyond “acquaintance” level; Capucci points out how unlikely it is that Black only used Epstein for professional services like estate planning.
• Bobby: "We're not talking about $5 here, folks... We're talking about 50 to 75 million dollars. That's not the kind of money you give an acquaintance." (03:45)
• Host questions motive, raising the specter of more nefarious or concealed arrangements.

3. Media & Elite Amnesia

• After Epstein’s 2019 death and Maxwell’s arrest, Bobby observes mass amnesia among elites: “It went from everybody wanting to take a picture with those two... to everybody not knowing who they were. It sure is one large ass case of amnesia.” (09:19)

4. The Letter to Apollo Investors (Read and Analyzed)

• Bobby reads through Black’s letter dated October 12, 2020, addressing the New York Times story.
• Key Themes in the Letter:
  • Distancing Apollo from Epstein and claiming the relationship was strictly personal.
  • Repeating the claim of ignorance about Epstein’s criminal behavior until “the end of 2018.”
  • Asserting that all Epstein’s advice was vetted by top advisors.
• Bobby’s Rebuttal: “If he's too stupid to use a search engine, why would I let him safeguard my money?” (07:38)
• Mocking the letter’s “philanthropic advice” excuse: “Leon Black, one of the richest, most powerful men in the world, needs a nobody like Jeffrey Epstein for...estate planning, tax and philanthropic advice?” (08:34)
• Bobby calls out the trading of charity donations: “You. But you have more money than God, the both of you. Why don't you just donate to those charities yourself? Why do you gotta drag Jeffrey Epstein into it?”

5. The Role of Image, Philanthropy, and Damage Control

• Black claims to have donated to organizations affiliated with Epstein, and vice versa, raising skepticism about true motives and the convenience for tax write-offs and virtue signaling.
• Bobby: “All about your image. All about to make sure that image is rebuilt. And let's not forget about the tax loopholes.” (13:30)

6. Legal Fallout and Investigation Promises

• Black claims he intends to “fully cooperate” with U.S. Virgin Islands and other investigations.
• Host’s skepticism: “He'll probably try and maneuver his way out of it... he'll probably make it a situation where, you know, oh, I'll give a written statement and they'll probably be okay with it because, you know, he's so rich.” (14:11)

7. Systemic Critique

• Bobby asserts large-scale systemic complicity, suggesting the only way to fix it is “to vote out every single one of these incumbents who has been party to it.” (15:15)
• Points to the financial sector’s predatory behavior and calls for holding elites accountable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Elite Ignorance:
  “That's the tired and used excuse that these people have used ever since Epstein was arrested the first time around. And guess what? Unfortunately it's been okay. People have accepted it, the legacy media has accepted it. Nobody has really challenged these people on this stuff.” (03:00)

• On the Absurdity of Financial Ties:
  “We're not talking about $5 here, folks...We're talking about 50 to 75 million dollars. That's not the kind of money you give an acquaintance.” (03:45)

• On Black’s Claimed Unawareness:
  “A monkey with learning disabilities could Google and figure out that Jeffrey Epstein was a scumbag. You mean to tell me Mr. Hotshot Leon Black, Mr. Apollo Effing Global himself has no idea what Jeffrey Epstein is?” (06:56)

• On Image Management:
  “All about your image. All about to make sure that image is rebuilt. And let's not forget about the tax loopholes. Let's not forget about the write offs.” (13:30)

• On Systemic Solutions:
  “There is only one way to fix it, and that is to vote out every single one of these incumbents who has been party to it. And then the people that we do send to Washington D.C. we have to hold them accountable and make sure that they get rid of these technicalities, that they get rid of these loopholes, and that we somehow, some way crush the two tiered justice system.” (15:15)

Important Timestamps

• 02:28 — Description of the typical elite excuse: “I didn’t know what he was up to...”
• 03:45 — The significance of the $50-75 million payments and question of motive.
• 06:56 — Criticism of Black’s claim to total ignorance about Epstein.
• 09:19 — Reflection on the “case of amnesia” that struck the elite after public exposure.
• 13:30 — Analysis of charitable giving as primarily about image management.
• 15:15 — Call for political and legal accountability as a systemic solution.

Overall Summary

Bobby Capucci’s breakdown of Leon Black’s PR-driven response to the New York Times article is unsparing and highly critical. He unmasks the recurring excuses repeated by many in Epstein’s sphere, emphasizing how mainstream media and broader society often simply let these explanations slide. The episode questions the plausibility of Black’s ignorance, the nature of his payments, and the integrity of damage control efforts now that Epstein’s crimes are undeniable public record. Bobby calls for structural change and accountability at every level, making the episode both an exposé on Black’s actions and a broader condemnation of the interconnected elite world that enabled Epstein for so long.