This image of Adam Schiff and Jeffrey Epstein is doctored

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff has drawn conservative fire for his role in the impeachment hearings, and a recent Facebook post attempts to tie the California Democrat to the late Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of sexually assaulting underage girls. 

In a photo published on Facebook on Nov. 24, Schiff appears to be sitting cozily on a couch with Epstein. 

"Apparently they were buddies," the poster wrote. "Which one is (was) the most sleazy?"

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) 

That’s because the image is doctored — and this isn’t the first to feature Epstein edited into a photo. Earlier this year we debunked a post that claimed to show Epstein smirking while President Donald Trump inappropriately touched a young girl. 

Featured Fact-check

Instagram posts

stated on November 24, 2024 in an Instagram post

“Rachel Maddow MELTS DOWN over Elon Musk posting memes about buying MSNBC.”

The original image in this most recent Facebook post shows Schiff sitting with his father, not Epstein.  

He tweeted the picture on Nov. 22, 2018, saying: "Eve and I are spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with my 90 year old Dad, Ed, and cousins Karen and Julia. Alexa is away for her studies and Eli is our photographer! Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!" 

The image that appears on Facebook also appears manipulated to make it look like a sex toy is resting on a table by the couch. It isn’t in the original image. 

We rate this Facebook post Pants on Fire!