L Brands founder and billionaire Leslie Wexner testified on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein earlier this week before the House Oversight Committee.
The closed-door deposition followed after Wexner’s name was revealed in the Epstein files, with Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) reading out his name on the House floor and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) revealing that he was listed in a document labeled “child sex-trafficking co-conspirator.”
During the deposition examining his relationship with the disgraced financier, a remarkable exchange unfolded—not because of what Wexner said, but because of what his own lawyer did.
“I think I’m giving you a long answer,” Wexner stated. “You are,” the questioner succinctly replied, causing Wexner’s lawyer to burst into laughter. However, Wexner appeared intent on contextualizing his answers. He resisted the simplicity of “yes” or “no” answers, insisting that without explanation, the truth would be lost or hard to understand.
“You know, in context, because if I just say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ you won’t understand it. And I just- I really want this whole group to understand it. And, uh, I never would have guessed I was being conned. Never ever. The deceit was so subtle,” Wexner told the questioner. At this point, the lawyer placed a hand on his shoulder and bluntly instructed him to “answer the question.”
The tension only escalated from there. What began as mild impatience turned into something far more jarring.
After a series of long and lengthy answers, the lawyer leaned in and whispered into Wexner’s ear: “I will f*cking kill you if you answer another question with more than five words, okay?”
