“Still hanging around.” Those were the chilling final words delivered from Jeffrey Epstein to author Michael Wolff through Epstein’s lawyer, just hours before Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on Aug. 10, 2019.

As reported by Daily Mail, the cryptic message and its eerie timing have reignited long-standing public suspicion surrounding Epstein's death and renewed interest in his connections to powerful figures.

Michael Wolff, known for his 2018 political book "Fire and Fury," shared the revelation on a recent episode of The Daily Beast Podcast. According to Wolff, he reached out to Epstein to ask how he was doing while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. In response, Epstein sent a short but haunting reply—"Still hanging around"—on a Friday evening through one of his attorneys.

The next morning, Epstein was found unresponsive in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. The U.S. Department of Justice later ruled his death a suicide. Despite this official conclusion, speculation has persisted for years about what transpired behind bars.

Wolff expresses deep doubt about the official narrative

On the podcast, Wolff openly doubted the accepted accounts of Epstein's death. "As the circumstances were presented," Wolff said, it was difficult to believe that Epstein could have taken his own life—or that someone would have been able to kill him in such a high-security environment. When pressed further, Wolff simply stated, “I don’t know.”

Wolff had interviewed Epstein in 2017 while researching President Donald Trump and the political world surrounding him. Their conversations, which Wolff described as in-depth, delved into Epstein’s reported ties with influential individuals, including Trump himself.

One memorable claim came during that interview, according to Wolff. He stated that Steve Bannon, one of Trump’s top campaign strategists, jokingly told Epstein during the 2016 election: “You were the only person I was afraid of.” Wolff claimed Bannon believed Epstein held damaging material on Trump.

Strong denials from Trump and Bannon’s camp

That allegation has been met with fierce rejection. David Schoen, Steve Bannon’s legal representative, said unequivocally that the statement was false and that Epstein had no incriminating evidence, referred to by Wolff as “the goods,” on Trump. He added that, based on his experience, Wolff had a pattern of dishonesty.

Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, issued an even more severe response. He accused Wolff of being a fabricator with “a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Cheung dismissed all of Wolff’s recent declarations as fiction produced from “a sick and warped imagination.”

The Department of Justice recently reaffirmed that no client list or compromising documentation was found in Epstein’s possession. Officials maintained their stance that his death was a suicide and said they reviewed the evidence thoroughly.

Photos and public pressure keep the story alive

Despite repeated investigations and the DOJ’s public findings, many continue to question how Epstein died and what secrets he may have taken to the grave. Photos have resurfaced over the years showing Epstein socializing with powerful figures, including an image from 2000 that captured him alongside Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Adding to the spotlight, a 2005 photograph showed Epstein attending a magazine launch event at Hotel QT in New York City. These visuals have fueled conspiracy theories and public demands for more transparency regarding Epstein’s full list of associates and activities.

Trump himself had once vowed to release what he termed the 'Epstein files,' but has since appeared to step back from that commitment. Some supporters of his—including hardline MAGA faithful—have criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi for not ensuring those files were made public.

Why this story matters

Understanding Epstein’s case is more than a tabloid obsession—it reflects on how institutions handle cases involving elites. The ongoing mystery surrounding his death has left many Americans questioning the reliability of federal investigations and the influence of power in our justice system. For the community, the story serves as a painful reminder of the importance of systemic reform. It emphasizes a continued demand for transparency and resolution in cases involving human exploitation and abuse. Whether or not Epstein’s death will ever be fully explained, its impact on society and public trust has been significant and lasting.

Conclusion

Jeffrey Epstein’s last message to author Michael Wolff—“Still hanging around”—was sent just hours before he died in jail in 2019. Wolff, who once interviewed Epstein for a book on President Donald Trump, expressed grave doubts about the official ruling of suicide, though he admitted he does not know what truly happened. Allegations of Epstein possessing damaging information about Trump have been sharply denied by Trump’s team and counsel for Steve Bannon, and federal authorities continue to insist they found no such evidence, nor any conspiracy behind Epstein’s death.