How Powerful People Talk About Race

Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy and influential figure, had a strong interest in race science, a discredited idea that claims racial differences in intelligence are genetic. In 2016, he shared an article from a white supremacist website with Noam Chomsky, suggesting that race and IQ are linked. This idea has been widely rejected by scientists, who agree that race is not a biological concept and that intelligence is influenced by many factors, not just genes. Epstein's emails show that he was not alone in his beliefs. He tried to connect with Charles Murray, a political scientist known for his book "The Bell Curve, " which also discusses race and intelligence. Epstein claimed they had met before, but Murray did not remember him. Epstein also reached out to other academics, including Steven Pinker and Richard Dawkins, who have made comments about race and intelligence.Race science has gained attention in recent years, especially among some conservatives and tech elites. Elon Musk, for example, has engaged with accounts on social media that promote race science ideas. In 2023 and 2024, Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson interviewed Steve Sailer, a prominent race science advocate. Former President Trump, who was close to Epstein, has also discussed race science in interviews. Epstein's interest in race science is troubling, but it is not surprising. Powerful people often look for ways to justify their position in society. Race science provides a false explanation for racial inequalities, one that ignores the complex social and historical factors at play. It is important to challenge these ideas and promote a more accurate understanding of race and intelligence.