A recent tweet by Sean Davis, a prominent conservative commentator, has ignited discussion by alleging a connection between Laurene Powell Jobs, the majority owner of The Atlantic magazine, and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The tweet, posted by @seanmdav, featured an image purporting to show Maxwell alongside "the woman on the left," identified by Davis as the magazine's owner.
"The woman on the right is Ghislaine Maxwell. She trafficked children for Jeffrey Epstein. The woman on the left owns your magazine."
The social media post directly accuses Powell Jobs of association with Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 of child sex trafficking and other offenses in connection with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in grooming and recruiting underage girls for Epstein's abuse.
Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic through her organization, Emerson Collective, in 2017. Emerson Collective is a philanthropic and investment firm focused on social change, with interests spanning education, immigration reform, social justice, and media. Her ownership of the esteemed 167-year-old publication has been widely reported.
While the tweet and similar social media posts suggest a close relationship, claims of a substantive connection between Powell Jobs and Maxwell largely stem from the circulation of an unverified photograph. Multiple reports indicate that there is no credible evidence to substantiate the alleged ties beyond the existence of this circulating image. The photo has notably resurfaced in online discussions, particularly when The Atlantic has published articles related to child sex trafficking or Epstein's network.
The allegations underscore the persistent scrutiny faced by public figures regarding their associations, especially in cases linked to high-profile criminal convictions like Maxwell's. Both Laurene Powell Jobs and The Atlantic have maintained their focus on journalistic integrity and their stated missions, despite such online speculation.