Peter Attia’s Salacious Emails With Jeffrey Epstein Spark Backlash — CBS Pulls Segment, Partners Cut Ties

Dr. Peter Attia, a high-profile longevity physician recently named a contributor at CBS News, is facing intense public scrutiny after newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case revealed a string of personal and salacious emails between him and the convicted sex offender.

What the Documents Show

The Department of Justice release included multiple email exchanges between Attia and Epstein spanning 2014–2019. Several messages show a deferential tone from Attia and contain crude, tasteless banter. One widely reported line from a 2016 email was published in censored form as: "P*ssy is, indeed, low-carb. Still awaiting results on gluten content, though."

Attia has acknowledged the emails, called them "embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible," and apologized for having written them. He said he never witnessed any illegal behavior or saw anyone who appeared underage in Epstein’s presence and has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.

The Fallout

Following the disclosures, CBS reportedly pulled a planned rebroadcast of a recent "60 Minutes" segment featuring Attia that had been scheduled to run during the Super Bowl and is said to be weighing personnel decisions. Several commercial partners also severed ties: Attia stepped down as chief science officer at David Protein, and AG1 announced he was no longer an adviser.

The emails provoked strong reactions from followers and colleagues. Social media replies to Attia’s posts included anger and calls for accountability; some physicians described parts of the correspondence as "disturbing." Dr. Jen Gunter, an obstetrician-gynecologist, wrote that the language was well outside what most physicians would consider appropriate when communicating with someone required to register as a sex offender.

Context And Attia’s Response

Attia says he first met Epstein in 2014 while Epstein was raising funds for scientific research and that they met on about "seven or eight occasions" at Epstein’s New York residence between 2014 and 2019. He has said he borrowed an apartment from Epstein in 2016 and exchanged messages about visiting Palm Beach, but that he never traveled to Epstein’s private island.

In correspondence about a "fresh shipment," Attia later explained he was referring to bottles of metformin he had received; he said Epstein’s reply included a photo of an adult woman and that their subsequent jokes were "crude" and "tasteless."

“I am not asking for a pass from you. I am not asking anyone to ignore the emails or pretend they aren’t ugly... The man I am today, roughly ten years later, would not write them and would not associate with Epstein at all,” Attia wrote in a public statement.

Professional Background

Attia trained at Stanford University School of Medicine and completed part of a general surgery residency at Johns Hopkins before leaving residency in 2006 to work in consulting. He opened a private longevity-focused practice, Early Medical, in 2014 and became a prominent public figure through his podcast, high-profile interviews, and his 2023 bestseller, Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity — which reporting says has sold more than three million copies.

Attia has built a sizable online following across platforms and has advised or worked with several wellness brands; those relationships have been affected by the newly public emails.

Ongoing Coverage

News organizations are continuing to report on the documents, the reactions from media outlets and sponsors, and any personnel decisions at CBS. Attia’s apology and explanation have not satisfied all critics, and the story remains evolving as additional documents and responses surface.

Note: This report reflects the information available in the released documents and public statements at the time of reporting. Attia has denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities and has not been charged with wrongdoing.