Robert Trivers is an evolutionary biologist at Rutgers University who received confirmed funding from Jeffrey Epstein and defended Epstein after his 2008 conviction. [1] His theories provide academic foundations for gender essentialist arguments used against trans people.
After Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes, Trivers continued to defend him.
2015 Reuters quote: [1:2]
"By the time they're 14 or 15 they're like grown women were 60 years ago, so I don't see the acts as so heinous."
Trivers said Epstein "is a person of integrity who should be given credit for serving time in prison and for settling civil lawsuits brought by women who said they were abused"
2017 description of relationship:
"Valuable mostly because he is extremely bright, open-minded and widely travelled... he gives me consistent, warm support without me having to write endless applications for grants, and trusts me to put it to good use."
Trivers is a foundational figure in evolutionary psychology/sociobiology. His theories are frequently cited in gender essentialist arguments.
Trivers' work forms the academic foundation for: [3]
Epstein funded an October 2016 London talk titled "Feminism, Transgender, Homosexuality and Honor Killings" designed to "create immediate internet wave" in UK media. [2:1]
Direct correspondence between Epstein and Trivers in March 2018: [2:2]
Trivers introducing Epstein to "David" (likely David Haig, Harvard evolutionary geneticist):
"you should know that David is one of the very top evolutionary geneticists still breathing and my teacher on every detail large and small"
Epstein to Trivers on psychopaths:
"i think you might be missing the benefit of the psycopath to the group. he is the defender easily sacrificed."
Significance: Shows ongoing intellectual exchange 4+ years after Epstein's conviction, and Trivers actively introducing Epstein to other evolutionary biologists.