A viral video taken on a Florida highway has reignited one of the web’s most enduring conspiracy theories-this one involving a man now known as Palm Beach Pete.
Taken on I-95 in the sunshine state, the clip shows a silver-haired man in a convertible while someone yells, “Epstein is alive.” Within hours, the video was everywhere on TikTok and Instagram, with thousands claiming it was Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 from a death that was ruled a suicide.
Pete has since responded publicly, stating: “I am not Jeffrey Epstein, I am Palm Beach Pete,” claiming the look alike nature of their faces is a coincidence and that Epstein was “a very bad person” and that he “is dead.”
Despite his denials, the comparisons haven’t died down and here’s why:
- The Face & the “Teeth Theory”
The core of the theory is visually based and screenshots have been circulating comparing Epstein to Palm Beach Pete’s jaw, nose, eye placement, mouth and lower teeth.
Some users have even zoomed in on the lower part of Pete’s teeth, saying they “match perfectly,” though as experts point out, men within the same age bracket tend to have the same kind of dental wear and aging facial characteristics-one of the weaker forms of ‘evidence’, even if it looks uncanny to some at first.
- The Palm Beach Link
This aspect gives the theory its traction.
Jeffrey Epstein, of course, owned a notorious mansion in Palm Beach, which was the subject of criminal investigations until its demolition in 2021.
Palm Beach Pete also happens to live in and move around the same area and has admitted that he associated in similar social circles in both New York and Florida and that he’s seen Epstein at parties in the past.
For a conspiracy theorists, this is “too close.” In reality, Palm Beach is a small and concentrated community of the wealthy, so numerous well-heeled individuals will have crossed paths without deeper connections.
- Voice and mannerisms
The former Division I tennis player has made public appearances on the social media platform, speaking in a calm, relaxed, almost unbothered way, with some users pointing to:
- A similar cadence to Epstein’s voice
- The air of confidence exuded by Epstein
- Pete’s own casual lifestyle which has parallels to Epstein’s life
Unfortunately, these assertions are based on perception, not an actual forensic analysis; there is no evidence to compare their voices side-by-side.
- Similar Lifestyle
The following describes Pete’s lifestyle:
- A former real estate executive
- A former Division I tennis player
- A longtime resident who travels between the New York area and Florida
Epstein also enjoyed the fine things in life, travelling between Manhattan and Florida, residing in opulent homes and moving amongst elite financial circles and celebrity spheres.
For those convinced Pete is Epstein, the parallels add to the ‘evidence’ of a shared life; after all, they share the same locations and age demographic and their appearance, to them, only further fuels the notion that they are the same person. Once more, though, this could apply to literally thousands of wealthy men across the U.S.
- Timing is Everything
This theory did not just spontaneously materialize; it has appeared now due to:
- Ever-present doubts about Epstein’s death
- Recent documents in his case being released that have sparked renewed public interest
- The availability of a visual “face” of the Epstein conspiracy theory, due to this video
Once the video was uploaded, the rest of the web got to work zooming in and drawing connections, just as it always does.
- Pete’s Own Word & Why Doubts Remain
Palm Beach Pete is quite vociferous that he is not Jeffrey Epstein, stating, “I am not Jeffrey Epstein,” “He is dead-and I’m alive” and calling Epstein a “monster” when speaking about the deceased sex trafficker. Ironically, many conspiracy theorists say that Pete’s slightly amused and calm responses have done nothing but add to the belief that it is him, and his cool demeanor only adds to the assumption that it is Epstein.
What is this all really about?
There’s no actual evidence that Palm Beach Pete is Jeffrey Epstein. Instead, it’s a perfect cocktail of the following factors:
- A very striking physical resemblance
- Shared geography and social circles
- A timely viral video
- And an online community with an overwhelming distrust for the official narrative
