MoMA Hosts Leon Black Hours After Epstein’s ‘Birthday Book’ Release
Leon Black, a prominent financier and art collector, attended a lavish event at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) shortly after Congress released Jeffrey Epstein’s “birthday book.” This book features a poem from Black honoring Epstein on his 50th birthday, a revelation that has raised eyebrows in the art community.
On March 11, 2024, Congress made the book public, drawing attention to a drawing purportedly signed by Donald Trump. The poem, dated 2003, includes lines such as “A liver, a lover, a Jeff, a Jeffrey/Let’s all give a cheer for today he’s 50.” The release of this information comes as Black and other associates of Epstein, including Glenn Dubin, mingled at a private gathering hosted by MoMA in Midtown Manhattan.
Black, who stepped down as chairman of MoMA in 2021 amid protests over his ties to Epstein, faced criticism for his past connections. He has consistently maintained that he had a “limited relationship” with Epstein and expressed regret over their association. A legal review concluded that while Black paid Epstein millions for financial services, he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior.
Dubin, another long-time acquaintance of Epstein, also attended the event. Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein, previously claimed that she was instructed by Ghislaine Maxwell to engage with Dubin. In 2024, a representative for Dubin firmly denied these allegations, labeling Giuffre’s statements as “unsubstantiated.”
Both Black and Dubin have galleries named in their honor at MoMA, which has faced scrutiny for its association with these figures. In 2019, an activist group displayed an advertisement opposite the museum demanding that MoMA remove Black and Dubin from its board and cover their galleries with black fabric as a form of protest.
Black’s representative stated, “Mr. Black was proud to be at the dinner as a longtime supporter of the arts and member of the MoMA board,” reinforcing his commitment to the institution.
Despite their controversial backgrounds, the attendance of Black and Dubin at such a high-profile event has sparked discussions about accountability in the art world. MoMA and Dubin did not respond to requests for comment regarding the event or the allegations surrounding their involvement with Epstein.
As the story continues to unfold, the implications for both the museum and the individuals involved remain significant, highlighting ongoing concerns about the intersections of art, finance, and ethical responsibility.
