Who Is John Paulson? GOP Donor Named in Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘Black Book,’ Says Thomas Massie

September 5, 2025 – A new controversy has emerged in U.S. politics after Republican Representative Thomas Massie mentioned billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson while speaking about political donors linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Massie stated: “Let me give you the name of one of the billionaires, John Paulson. He is a major donor to the Republican Party, a major donor to the Speaker of the House, a major donor to the president’s campaign, and he is in Jeffrey Epstein’s black book.”

The remark has raised fresh questions about the connections between wealthy political donors and Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes before his death in 2019.

Who Is John Paulson?

John Alfred Paulson, born on December 14, 1955, in Queens, New York, is a billionaire hedge fund manager and the founder of Paulson & Co. Inc., a firm he established in 1994. His company became well-known for event-driven investments such as mergers and acquisitions.

Paulson rose to global fame in 2010, when he reportedly earned $5 billion in a single year, largely through gold-related investments, making headlines across Wall Street.

Early Life and Education

Paulson comes from a diverse background. His father was Ecuadorian, while his mother was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania and Romania.

He studied at New York University, where he graduated in 1978 as valedictorian with a degree in finance. He later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1980. After working at the Boston Consulting Group, he gained experience at Odyssey Partners, Bear Stearns, and Gruss Partners LP before launching his own firm.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

In 2000, Paulson married Jenny Zaharia, and the couple has two daughters. They own multiple homes, including properties in New York City, Aspen, and Southampton. In 2021, Paulson filed for divorce but later settled matters privately.

Beyond finance, Paulson is also known for his philanthropy. In 2012, he donated $100 million to the Central Park Conservancy, the largest gift in the park’s history. In 2015, he pledged $400 million to Harvard University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which was renamed in his honor. He has also supported NYU, Southampton Hospital, and the London School of Economics.

Political Influence

John Paulson has been a longtime Republican donor, contributing millions to party campaigns and conservative causes. His name surfacing in connection with Epstein, however, has now put him under the media spotlight again.