Yes, Harvey Epstein has seen that Saturday Night Live parody.
The 2025 New York City Council candidate responded to Saturday Night Live host John Mulaney’s portrayal of him in a pretaped November 2 sketch by posting it in its entirety to his social media accounts with the caption, “I agree… let’s not call it Epstein’s Island” (“it” referring to Manhattan).
In one of a series of interviews following this weekend’s SNL, Epstein told City & State New York, “I think it went over very well, and I’m glad we can all make fun of ourselves.”
He went on to describe the experience of watching a bald cap-clad Mulaney portray him as “a little freaky” but he clearly appreciates the unexpected publicity. “They got a lot right, from my earrings to my fight for tenants’ rights,” he commented in a post to Twitter/X.
“I think it definitely makes more people aware of who I am,” the politician told City & State before confirming that “people on the campaign trail have at times mixed up his name with [Harvey] Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein, and he has occasionally been asked if he’s related to the notorious sex offenders.” When asked if he would make an SNL cameo if offered, he replied, “I would totally do that.”
Later, in a different Twitter/X post, he wrote “All joking aside, I hope my newfound followers will consider donating to RAINN, who do extremely valuable work supporting [sexual assault] survivors.”
Epstein announced his candidacy to succeed term-limited 2nd district council member Carlina Rivera five months ago. He has represented the 74th district in the New York State Assembly since 2018 and is currently running unopposed for a fourth term. Provided he wins that election on Tuesday and the City Council election next November, he will resign from the assembly in order to assume his new role.
