Exiled Tibetans Reject Claims Linking Dalai Lama to Jeffrey Epstein as Propaganda

The office of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile have issued a forceful denial of recent allegations connecting the spiritual leader to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The claims, which have circulated online, are being condemned as a baseless smear campaign originating from Chinese state media and propaganda channels.

Representatives in Dharamsala, India, the seat of the Tibetan exile community, stated there is no record or evidence of any meeting, communication, or interaction between the Dalai Lama and Jeffrey Epstein. They characterized the allegations as entirely fabricated.

Allegations Seen as Response to Grammy Recognition

The denial connects the timing of these allegations directly to the Dalai Lama’s recent cultural milestone. In early February, the Dalai Lama won a Grammy Award for Best Audio Book for his narration of “The Spirit of Tibet.” This achievement brought him significant positive international attention.

His office suggests the subsequent emergence of the Epstein link is a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation following this honor. The statement argues that false information is being spread to defame the spiritual leader and undermine his global standing.

Longstanding Tensions Between Beijing and Tibetan Exiles

This incident occurs within the context of a decades-long political and ideological conflict. China has governed Tibet since 1951 and considers it an integral part of the nation. The Chinese government views the Dalai Lama as a separatist figure and has long sought to discredit him internationally.

The Tibetan government-in-exile, which operates from Dharamsala, advocates for greater autonomy and cultural preservation. This fundamental disagreement makes the Dalai Lama a frequent target of state-sponsored media campaigns from Beijing aimed at questioning his character and motives.

Propaganda Tactics in the Digital Age

Analysts note that spreading unverified allegations linking prominent Western critics to scandalous figures is a known modern propaganda technique. The goal is often to create doubt, generate negative headlines, and muddy the waters of public perception, regardless of the facts.

Jeffrey Epstein’s notoriety makes him a potent vector for such smears. Associating a figure like the Dalai Lama with Epstein’s crimes is designed to provoke a strong emotional reaction and overshadow other news, such as the Grammy win.

The Tibetan exile community has urged the public and media to treat the claims with extreme skepticism and to recognize them as part of a broader political disinformation effort. They emphasize a consistent record of the Dalai Lama’s teachings on compassion and ethics, which they state stands in stark contrast to the fabricated allegations.