Oprah Winfrey is caught up in a new scandal as conspiracy theories and manipulated images paint a controversial narrative about her social circle.
The television mogul is among the latest celebrities named in the Department of Justice’s Jeffrey Epstein files dump — the only problem is that gullible people are flocking to fake documents and photos.
Presently circulating online is a viral image showing Winfrey and Epstein standing side by side at a beach environment. The former talk show host is dressed in a navy bathing suit, a coordinated sarong, sandals, and a hat, while the disgraced financier is seen wearing jeans, a blue polo, and sneakers.
The smiles on their faces and the one-armed embrace between them were accepted as proof that the billionaire was well acquainted with Donald Trump’s longtime associate.
Some individuals assumed that the A-lister was likely aware of the New Yorker’s trafficking of teen girls and even turned a blind eye to his 2008 conviction, where he pleaded guilty to soliciting an underage girl.
“I am so disgusted with Oprah. I would have never guessed,” a fan wrote. “Mind you… she STILL hasn’t spoke out about this,” said another person, noting that, to date, Winfrey has never publicly commented on the Epstein files nor his and Donald Trump’s past.
Another who asked directly and tagged her wrote, “Oprah this you?”
Oprah is definitely connected to child traffickers but that picture is an A.I. fake.
— The SCIF (@TheSCIF) February 12, 2026
The real picture is of Epstein and Richard Branson, confirmed by the DOJ website.
Oprah was added in using A.I.. You have to verify everything because too many fakes are going around. pic.twitter.com/G8DLEZnHuq
The president has denied being friends with the late offender but has admitted to having a short-lived business relationship. Trump’s name is mentioned thousands of times in redacted files and is known to have socialized with him, suggesting that he has been dishonest about his time with the controversial financier. Winfrey does not appear in any of the documents despite the confusing misinformation spread online.
The photo even prompted a third person to remark, “YEAH WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KIDS IN AFRICA THAT school that that Oprah opened up we have not for gotten that.”
Almost two decades ago, Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls, just outside of Johannesburg, faced a similar controversy based on allegations of abuse.
She later settled a lawsuit filed by a headmistress who was largely accused of perpetuating harm against the students. The mogul sanitized her Instagram account in 2025 by disabling comments, but she can’t circumvent having her name dragged into more drama.
The viral image is proof of that; however, amid the outrage, fact-checkers revealed that Epstein’s photo was digitally altered to replace billionaire business magnate Richard Branson. The undoctored snapshot shows Branson in swim trunks and a T-shirt.
“I knew it was fake. She recently loss her weight. He’s been gone since 2019,” said one person, while another stated, “I mean her relationship with Harvey Weinstein should say enough. Oops.”
The revelation sparked a flood of furious reactions, one of them being a comment that read, “They stay trying to put their criminal behavior on black people.” Someone else quipped, “Now it would be funny if Oprah sues and opens this whole s–t up.”
Redacted DOJ files corroborated Branson and Epstein’s rapport. In one email dated 2013, the financier sought the Virgin Group founder’s perspectives on how to repair his reputation after sleeping with a 17-year-old.
Epstein also welcomed Branson to visit St. James Island anytime, to which the wealthy man agreed as long as Epstein’s “harem” was present.
Although Winfrey has no direct connection to Epstein, she does know Trump very well.
He has appeared as a guest on the Emmy-winning “The Oprah Winfrey Show” multiple times, with notable appearances in 1988, where he discussed potential political ambitions, and during the final season, joined by his wife, Melania, and his children on the February 7, 2011 episode.
The president’s 2023 book, “Letters to Trump,” includes a note from Winfrey after he suggested she could be his running mate. In the letter, she wrote, “Too bad we’re not running for office; what a team!”
Winfrey’s message was from 2000, when she “might have thought” the statement was true. Other stamps of approval that have backfired include Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz. Both men gained national platforms thanks to Winfrey; those men also openly supported Trump’s re-election. Dr. Oz is currently the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “It doesn’t matter, Oprah still has to answer for a whole lot of s–t!”
