Newsweek
CBS News
CNNKathryn Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs' top lawyer and former Obama White House counsel, resigned February 13 after DOJ-released documents showed extensive communications with Jeffrey Epstein from 2014-2019, including accepting luxury gifts and referring to him as "Uncle Jeffrey." Ruemmler maintained her relationship was professional, but emails depicted friendly exchanges and advice on managing his public image after his 2008 conviction.
On February 13, 2026, Kathryn Ruemmler announced she would resign as Goldman Sachs' Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel effective June 30, following the Department of Justice's release of investigative files showing thousands of communications between her and Jeffrey Epstein spanning 2014-2019. The documents showed Ruemmler accepted gifts from Epstein including luxury handbags, a fur coat, spa treatments, and gift cards totaling thousands of dollars after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Emails showed her referring to Epstein as "Uncle Jeffrey," saying she adored him "like another older brother," and providing advice on responding to media inquiries about his legal troubles. The files also showed Epstein called Ruemmler the night of his July 2019 arrest and that she was listed as a backup executor in one version of his will. Ruemmler served as White House Counsel under President Obama from 2011-2014, then worked at law firm Latham & Watkins before joining Goldman in 2020. She has consistently maintained she had no knowledge of ongoing criminal conduct, never represented Epstein as a client, and regrets knowing him. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon accepted her resignation, praising her as an "extraordinary general counsel." Ruemmler's resignation follows similar departures by other prominent figures connected to Epstein, including law firm chairman Brad Karp and British government officials.
The articles generally omit context about standard professional relationships in legal and banking circles, making it difficult to assess whether gift-giving and friendly communications were unusual for this context. Most outlets don't explain what specific work Ruemmler did that connected her to Epstein initially (representation of Swiss bank Edmond de Rothschild Group). Few articles provide perspective on whether Ruemmler's assessment of Epstein's rehabilitation after his 2008 conviction was widely shared at the time or outlier judgment. The full content of emails is often presented in fragments without surrounding context. Most importantly, no outlet clearly distinguishes between what Ruemmler knew when — her knowledge in 2014-2015 versus 2019 versus now — making it impossible to fairly evaluate her judgment at each decision point.
Daily Caller frames story through partisan lens emphasizing "Obama Official" and separate 2014 prostitution scandal. Leads with unrelated controversy to maximize negative association. Uses loaded framing like "enlisted convicted sex offender" and emphasizes Democratic connections throughout.
“enlisted the convicted sex offender in workshopping her response”
“Trying to isolate/contain wapo”
Daily Wire emphasizes "Obama White House" connection prominently and focuses heavily on most inflammatory email quotes. While facts are accurate, framing choices consistently highlight Democratic association and present emails in most damaging light without balancing context.
“Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today!”
“it has been well reported that Epstein's MO was to provide unsolicited gifts”
Bloomberg opinion piece clearly frames this as a failure of judgment that should have resulted in earlier resignation. Editorializes about "crisis of trust in big business" and suggests Goldman made a risky bet defending her. More advocacy than reporting, though grounded in documented facts.
“It shouldn't have taken this long”
“The episode underscores a deeper crisis of trust in big business”
New York Post focuses heavily on crude birthday email exchange as "the email that did it," presenting this as primary cause of resignation. Includes anonymous sources about Ruemmler's state of mind but frames story around most sensational element. More sympathetic than typical Post coverage but still emphasizes salacious details.
“It was an email about Jeffrey Epstein's penis that ultimately ended Kathy Ruemmler's run”
“It's so sad what happened to her because when all is said and done she didn't do anything wrong”
Fox News frames this as "stunning fall" and emphasizes contrast between claims and revelations with loaded language like "explosive release" and "starkly different picture." Factually accurate but narrative structure emphasizes drama and contradiction more than other outlets.
“abruptly resigned”
“painted a starkly different picture”
Rolling Stone uses headline "Top Female Lawyer Pays Price" suggesting gender dimension to story not present in content. Body is factual but framing emphasizes Ruemmler as victim of Epstein's "vile emails" rather than her judgment. Somewhat sympathetic tone contrasts with headline's implication.
“The former White House counsel will leave her role”
“getting Epstein's Vile Emails”
Telegraph brief emphasizes international fallout angle, connecting Ruemmler resignation to UK and Norwegian political scandals. Selective focus on broader pattern of elite connections. Factual but framing emphasizes systemic issues over individual case details.
“calling him 'Uncle Jeffrey' and requesting gifts”
“shattering Norway's self-image as egalitarian, high-trust, and low corruption”
Guardian emphasizes gift-giving details and Wall Street ethics angle. Includes proper context about anti-bribery concerns and Goldman's policies. Slightly more critical framing of corporate culture but remains largely factual. Focus on institutional failure over individual culpability.
“close relationship between her and Jeffrey Epstein, whom she referred to as 'Uncle Jeffrey'”
“Wall Street frowns on gift-giving between clients and bankers”
Fox News emphasizes broader political context, noting few U.S. government resignations compared to Europe and mentioning Trump officials' Epstein connections. Factual but selective focus on partisan angle. Includes proper attribution but framing choices highlight political dimensions.
“very few resignations have resulted from the Epstein files at the highest level of the U.S. government”
“Trump also took the opportunity to boast that he 'was never there'”
New York Post coverage emphasizes CEO's defense of Ruemmler and includes crude birthday email exchange. Factual but selective in details highlighted. Focuses on most sensational elements while maintaining basic journalistic structure.
“I hope you enjoy the day with your one true love”
“noise and distraction”
Newsweek provides factual coverage with slight emphasis on contradiction between recent "monster" comments and earlier friendly emails. Balanced presentation of both Ruemmler's defenses and problematic revelations. Minimal editorial judgment.
“While Ruemmler has recently called Epstein a 'monster,' her relationship with him was markedly different”
“So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!”
NBC provides balanced coverage noting both the friendly nature of emails and Ruemmler's insistence relationship was professional. Includes proper context about other resignations and full quote from Solomon. Slightly emphasizes contradiction but remains factual.
“the latest files suggest it was friendly and extensive”
“Ruemmler has insisted for years that her relationship with Epstein was professional”
Forbes coverage is straightforward with proper context about other resignations and basic facts. Slightly selective in email quotes highlighted but maintains journalistic standards. Includes both sides and avoids editorializing about Ruemmler's judgment.
“had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal conduct on his part”
“Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today!”
Axios breaking news format emphasizes the most attention-grabbing details ("Uncle Jeffrey" emails, gifts) while maintaining factual structure. "Zoom in" feature highlights inflammatory quotes without full context. Neutral tone but selective emphasis on sensational elements.
“Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today! Jeffrey boots, handbag, and w=tch!”
“has done nothing wrong and has nothing to hide”
PBS reporting maintains neutrality while presenting key facts about the emails and resignation. Includes proper context about gift-giving policies on Wall Street and historical perspective. Slightly selective in which emails highlighted but overall balanced presentation.
“So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!”
“Historically, Wall Street frowns on gift-giving between clients and bankers”
Newsweek maintains neutral reporting focused on professional implications. Clearly distinguishes between Ruemmler's past claims and document revelations. Minimal sensationalism, focuses on resignation announcement and corporate response.
“had maintained for years that she had a strictly professional relationship with Epstein”
“My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs's interests first”
AP wire provides comprehensive, neutral coverage of Ruemmler's career and the email revelations. Maintains journalistic distance while presenting full scope of relationship. Includes both problematic details and proper context about professional vs. personal boundaries.
“Setting aside the immense wealth and privilege and Epstein's legal troubles, many of the emails between the two would look no different from the banter that many Americans would share”
“It makes him happy to see you happy”
AP wire provides comprehensive neutral coverage with full career context. Distinguishes clearly between Ruemmler's characterizations and document revelations. Includes both problematic emails and proper context about professional relationships. Minimal editorial framing.
“Setting aside the immense wealth and privilege and Epstein's legal troubles, many of the emails between the two would look no different from the banter that many Americans would share”
“It makes him happy to see you happy”
Straightforward international news wire reporting. Presents basic facts about resignation, DOJ file revelations, and context about other Epstein-related resignations. Slightly emphasizes "sex offender" framing but maintains journalistic distance throughout.
“showed that she had received gifts from Epstein, offered him advice on managing his reputation, and likened him to an older brother”
“had become a 'distraction'”
AP wire service provides comprehensive neutral coverage including full career context and both sides of story. Maintains journalistic standards while presenting all key facts. Notes contradiction between recent statements and earlier emails without editorializing.
“a much different relationship with Epstein before he was arrested a second time”
“My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first”
AP coverage provides comprehensive context including Ruemmler's career achievements and full scope of email revelations. Balanced presentation of both problematic details and her defenses. Maintains journalistic neutrality throughout.
“repeatedly tried to distance herself from the emails and other correspondence”
“called Epstein 'Uncle Jeffrey' in emails and said she adored him”
BBC provides straightforward factual reporting with proper context about DOJ release and no suggestion of criminal activity. Maintains journalistic balance while noting the PR problem for Goldman Sachs. Includes both Ruemmler's perspective and the problematic email details.
“There is no suggestion that appearing in the documents implies any criminal activity”
“I got to know him as a lawyer and that was the foundation of my relationship with him”
The Hill provides straight news reporting with proper context about broader Epstein files fallout. Maintains neutral tone while noting significance of resignation. Includes key facts without sensationalizing.
“The resignation underscores how the Epstein files have triggered fallout and leadership shake-ups”
“So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!”
CNBC provides business-focused straight reporting with emphasis on institutional response and CEO statements. Includes proper context about Ruemmler's claims and spokeswoman's statements. Minimal editorial framing, focuses on corporate governance angle.
“My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first”
“She was friendly with him in that context. She had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal conduct”
Financial Times provides business-focused reporting emphasizing corporate governance implications. Neutral tone with proper context about broader banking sector fallout. Minimal sensationalism, focuses on institutional impact.
“I made the determination that the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defence attorney, was becoming a distraction”
“the most high-profile banking exit after the release of the latest Epstein documents”
CBS provides straightforward breaking news coverage with proper context about DOJ file release and resignation timing. Includes both email revelations and Ruemmler's spokesperson's defense. Maintains journalistic neutrality throughout. Minimal editorializing.
“Goldman had defended Ruemmler for several months”
“My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first”
Balanced reporting emphasizing the CEO's perspective and the complexity of the situation. Includes Solomon's supportive statements and acknowledgment of difficulty. Presents multiple viewpoints without editorializing, though focuses more on executive decision-making than Ruemmler's conduct itself.
“As a CEO and a leadership team, we're making real-time decisions with a very valued colleague”
“There is a lot of nuance to that”
CNN presents minimal editorial framing, focusing on statements from Ruemmler and Solomon. Straightforward breaking news format with emphasis on official responses. Least sensationalized coverage among major outlets, though brevity omits some context.
“My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first”
“Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel”
Reuters provides minimal editorial framing, focusing on CEO statements and basic facts. Straightforward wire service reporting with proper attribution. Most neutral business press coverage, though brevity omits some relevant context.
“I reluctantly accepted her resignation, but I respect her decision”
“the press coverage of the work that she had done previously had just gotten to a level of noise and distraction”
Guardian's brief update in live blog format presents minimal editorial framing. Simply reports resignation announcement and basic context. Most neutral coverage, though brevity omits important details.
“I made the determination that the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defence attorney, was becoming a distraction”
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned as chairman and CEO of logistics giant DP World after U.S. Department of Justice files revealed years of friendly correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Two major international investors paused partnerships with DP World, prompting Dubai's government to appoint new leadership.
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to his January 18 livestream coverage of an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lemon maintains he was acting as a journalist; prosecutors charge him under the FACE Act with conspiring to violate religious freedoms. The case has sparked debate over press freedom and government prosecution of journalists.
The media narrative serves outlets seeking engagement through association with the Epstein scandal, one of the most reliable traffic generators in recent years. The framing benefits those seeking to highlight elite hypocrisy and the different standards applied to wealthy, connected individuals. For Goldman Sachs' competitors, the story damages a major Wall Street player's reputation. For critics of the Obama administration, it provides ammunition against a former senior official. The collective focus on Ruemmler's "Uncle Jeffrey" language and gift acceptance creates maximum reputational damage while largely avoiding harder questions about what institutional failures allowed Epstein's continued social access after conviction or what professional ethical standards should apply to lawyers dealing with convicted criminals who claim rehabilitation.
The FBI has released a physical description of the suspect in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance and doubled its reward to $100,000. Meanwhile, tensions emerged after reports that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos denied FBI access to evidence, sending it to a Florida lab instead of Quantico. Nanos disputes these claims, saying all parties agreed on the approach.
