The digital world often breeds speculation, and few corners are as ripe for it as 4chan. Recently, renewed scrutiny surrounding the infamous far-right message board /pol/ has drawn its creator, Chris ‘moot’ Poole, into the spotlight once more. Poole has now issued a definitive statement, asserting that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had absolutely no hand in the genesis of the controversial forum, a platform that would later become a hotbed for QAnon and the alt-right movement.
Unraveling the /pol/ Origin Story
In an exclusive statement to The Verge, Poole addressed the persistent rumors head-on. He clarified that the decision to introduce the ‘politically incorrect’ board, /pol/, was made weeks before his solitary, chance encounter with Epstein. “The board was added almost 24 hours prior to a first, chance encounter at a social event,” Poole stated, emphasizing the chronological disconnect between the two events.
This timeline directly refutes the notion that Epstein influenced the creation or direction of /pol/, a board that has profoundly shaped online discourse and, by extension, real-world political movements.
Epstein Files Fuel Speculation
The recent release of millions of documents from the Department of Justice, often referred to as ‘The Epstein Files,’ reignited the speculation. Emails within these documents revealed discussions between Epstein and venture capitalist Boris Nikolic in 2011 regarding a potential meeting with Poole, as well as subsequent failed attempts to connect. The proximity of these discussions to /pol/’s launch date fueled a narrative of Epstein’s potential involvement.
However, Poole maintains that any perceived connection is purely coincidental and unfounded. The timing, he insists, was simply unfortunate.
A Brief, Regretted Encounter
Poole provided a candid account of his interaction with Epstein, painting a picture of a fleeting and unremarkable meeting. “His assistant reached out to me afterward, and I met with him one time for an unmemorable lunch meeting,” Poole recounted. He explained that this occurred during a period when he was actively networking and attending numerous tech events, meeting hundreds of people monthly.
“I did not meet him again nor maintain contact. I regret having ever encountered him at all, and have deep sympathy for all of his victims,” Poole concluded, distancing himself unequivocally from Epstein and expressing profound remorse for any association.
Beyond Direct Involvement: The Broader Intersections
While Poole’s statement firmly denies any direct involvement from Epstein in /pol/’s creation, the article notes that Epstein’s sphere of influence did intersect with the broader ecosystem that 4chan helped cultivate. This was particularly evident through Epstein’s ongoing connections to figures like Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor and Breitbart chief, whose efforts to elect Trump and platform far-right voices aligned with some of the cultural currents emanating from platforms like 4chan. This suggests that while direct causation is denied, the indirect ripples of such networks can still be felt.
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