CBS News star speaks out over 'indefensible' Epstein emails

One of CBS News' regular contributors has issued a statement on social media following his 'indefensible' involvement in the latest Epstein files release, as he was discovered to be in email communication with the convicted child sex offender.

A number of the world's most powerful figures have already been 'exposed' by the latest release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, as major political figures and key leaders in the tech industry were in communication with him following his initial 2008 conviction.

Elon Musk, for example, was spotted discussing a potential visit to Epstein's private island on a number of occasions – although he claims that it never actually happened – and the disgraced financier also alleged that Bill Gates caught an STD and tried to secretly give his wife medication to treat it.

One unexpected name that also cropped up when people were scanning through the files following their release last Friday was CBS News contributor Peter Attia, who offers medical and scientific expertise to the network, as reported by the Independent.

In an email to Epstein eight years after he pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor, Attia wrote: "P**** is, indeed, low carb. Still awaiting results on gluten content, though."

Additionally, Attia noted in a previous email from June 2015 that "the biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can't tell a soul..."

Following outrage and accusations, Attia has taken to social media to provide a statement on the matter, clarifying "what did and did not happen" in his relationship with Epstein.

"I apologize that I did not get this out sooner, but I wanted it to be thorough," Attia illustrated in the post on X. "The purpose of the DOJ releasing these documents is clear: to identify individuals who participated in criminal activity, enabled it, or witnessed it.

"I am not in any of those categories, and there is no evidence to the contrary."

He then reiterated that he was not involved in any criminal activity whatsoever, and that his interactions with Epstein "had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone."

Attia also added that he had never been on Epstein's infamous plane, island, or sex parties, but noted that he regrets "putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public, and that is on me. I accept that reality and the humiliation that comes with it."

Referencing the second email where he notes Epstein's 'outrageous' lifestyle, he explains that the original message had the subject line 'Got a fresh shipment', which referred to bottles of metformin for his own use.

Epstein then replied with "a photograph of an adult woman," to which Attia notes his response to be "crude, tasteless banter" that he now considers to be "very embarassing" and with no defense.

"At the time, I understood this exchange as juvenile, not a reference to anything dark or harmful," Attia claimed.