Robert Lawrence Kuhn

The Kuhn Foundation (EIN 33-0783933) is a substantial private operating foundation with approximately $8-11M in assets (2011-2024), annual expenses of $1-2.2M, and annual revenue of $0.2-2.4M. Officers are all Kuhn family: Dr Robert Kuhn (President), Dora Kuhn (VP), Aaron Kuhn (VP), Adam Kuhn (CFO), Daniella Kuhn (Secretary) - all at $0 compensation. The foundation is categorized under Arts, Culture, and Humanities. Address: formerly 723 Euclid St Apt B, Santa Monica CA 90402; also registered at 357 Waverly Dr, Pasadena CA 91105. Kuhn stated he set it up in 1999 specifically to support Closer To Truth.

Gratitude America Ltd (Epstein-controlled, Leon Black-funded USVI foundation) gave $650,000 total to The Kuhn Foundation: $150,000 in 2017 and $500,000 in 2018. The $500K grant is confirmed in IRS 990 XML Schedule I. Kuhn stated Epstein committed to funding the Radical Breakthroughs project in its entirety at $1.4 million; the $650K represents partial delivery on that commitment.

On Feb 15, 2017, Kuhn emailed Epstein's assistant the Kuhn Foundation IRS tax-exempt determination letter, describing it as '501(c)(3) - private operating foundation - The Kuhn Foundation, which I set up in 1999 to support Closer To Truth.' This was the operational step to enable tax-deductible grants from Gratitude America. The first $150K grant followed within months (2017). This confirms the foundation was specifically presented as a vehicle for receiving Epstein funding for the TV project.

Epstein directed Richard Kahn (HBRK Associates, 575 Lexington Ave) to wire $150K from Gratitude America to Kuhn Foundation on 8/1/2017. On 6/14/2018, Epstein emailed Kahn: 'robert kuhn we need to send 600k from foundation. remind me torow.' On 6/15/2018 Kahn confirmed the prior $150K and sent $600K (not $500K as in 990 records -- discrepancy of $100K needs investigation). Epstein referred to Gratitude America as simply 'foundation.' The wiring instructions were for a Kuhn Foundation sub-account specifically labeled 'Kuhn Foundation CTT JE - Radical Breakthroughs.' Total documented: $750K directed by Epstein ($150K + $600K), vs $650K in 990 records ($150K + $500K).

Epstein directed Richard Kahn on June 14, 2018 to send $600K from Gratitude America to Kuhn Foundation: 'robert kuhn we need to send 600k from foundation'. Kahn confirmed $150K already sent on 8/1/2017 and offered to send $600K that day. The Gratitude America IRS 990 records show $150K in 2017 and $500K in 2018, totaling $650K (not $750K), suggesting the $600K was reduced to $500K.

March 2019 emails reference Kuhn needing to 'optimize for JEVI Foundation as well as CTT' - indicating funds from both JEVI (Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation, USVI) and through Kuhn Foundation for CTT. This suggests Epstein was funding Kuhn through at least two channels: Gratitude America (via Kahn) and possibly directly through JEVI Foundation.

FEC records show a Robert Kuhn at 2401 Main St, Santa Monica CA 90405, listed as NOT EMPLOYED, made a $100 political donation in 2025. This is likely the same Robert Kuhn (same city, within 1 mile of the 723 Euclid St foundation address). The NOT EMPLOYED status is consistent with the 990-PF showing zero compensation for all foundation officers -- Kuhn runs the foundation and CTT without drawing a salary, living off personal wealth or investment income. No significant political donation history found.

Kuhn met Epstein at least 15+ times between Oct 2016 and June 2019. Documented meetings: Oct 7, 2016 (2pm); Feb 9, 2017 (4pm); Jun 15, 2017 (9am breakfast); Jul/Aug 2017 (multiple); Nov 28/29, 2017 (4:45pm, 2pm); Dec 2017 (Jan 5 meeting); Apr 2018; Dec 1, 2018 (12pm); Jan 9, 2019; Apr 6, 2019 (11am + 12pm with Chaitin/Getzels); May/Jun 2019 (filming). Lesley Groff coordinated all scheduling. Relationship continued until weeks before Epstein's July 6, 2019 arrest.

Reconstructed Kuhn-Epstein meeting timeline from DOJ Vol 11 schedule emails: Oct 7, 2016 (2pm NYC); Feb 9, 2017 (4pm NYC); Jun 15, 2017 (9am breakfast at 9 E 71st St); ~Jul-Aug 2017 (multiple attempts, Kuhn in NY through Aug 10); Nov 29, 2017 (2pm NYC); ~Dec 27, 2017-Jan 5, 2018 (11am Jan 5 at home); ~Apr 26, 2018 (Kuhn in NYC for mother's funeral); Jun 10, 2018 (Skype with Getzels); ~Nov 29-Dec 1, 2018 (originally 1pm, changed to noon Sat Dec 1 - same day as Gromov/Axel schedule); Jan 9, 2019 (11am at 9 E 71st); Apr 6, 2019 (11am Kuhn, noon Chaitin meeting); ~Jun 2-4, 2019 (filming in NY); Jun 13, 2019 (4pm). At least 15 documented in-person meetings over 32 months.

Extensive email correspondence between Kuhn and Epstein (2017-2019), with at least 20+ emails in the DOJ corpus. Kuhn visited Epstein at 9 E 71st St for breakfast/meetings on: 6/15/2017 (9am), 7/2017, 11/29/2017, 1/5/2018, 12/1/2018 (noon), 1/9/2019 (11am), 4/6/2019, 5/2019, 6/13/2019 (4pm). Last confirmed meeting: 6/13/2019 -- just 23 days before Epstein's arrest on 7/6/2019. Kuhn also arranged for mathematician Gregory Chaitin (contributor to Breakthroughs series) to meet Epstein on 4/6/2019. Kuhn discussed politics (US/China/MiddleEast, Silk Road), science, and 'Saudi stuff' with Epstein. Lesley Groff coordinated all scheduling.

Epstein demonstrated substantive intellectual engagement with the Radical Breakthroughs series, not just passive funding. In a Jan 20, 2018 email response to Kuhn's episode list, Epstein wrote: 'do we dream all day, can we use music as an insight into the brain that produced it, mathematics relies on truth biology relies on deception, probability and why it is not intuitive, do we talk to ourselves using an encrypted signal.' This shows Epstein actively shaped episode content and scientific questions. Episode 10 was explicitly 'Evolutionary Dynamics - Epstein program at Harvard' - referencing the Martin Nowak program Epstein funded.

Kuhn and Epstein maintained extensive direct email correspondence from at least Nov 2016 through June 2019 (final arrest July 6, 2019). DOJ Vol 11 contains 20+ emails between them. Meetings occurred at 9 E 71st St NYC. Kuhn emailed Epstein directly at [email protected] and was coordinated through Lesley Groff. The relationship appears to begin circa Oct 2016 (first documented meeting Oct 7, 2016) and continued through at least May-June 2019 with meetings scheduled for June 13, 2019 - just 3 weeks before arrest.

Epstein funded two Kuhn/CTT TV series: (1) 'The Science of Sleep and Dreams' - 13 episodes for ~200 PBS stations proposed Jan 2017 with detailed proposal, budget, and schedule. (2) 'Radical Breakthroughs' - 15-episode science series with topics including mathematics, consciousness (Giulio Tononi IIT), emergence, evolutionary dynamics (Epstein's Harvard program), predictive brains, music/cognition. Kuhn described himself as Epstein's 'partner' with 'creative/content and business/financial' responsibility.

Robert Lawrence Kuhn is an American author, TV host, and China advisor who created and hosts Closer To Truth, a PBS television series on science and philosophy. He proposed two TV series to Epstein: (1) The Science of Sleep and Dreams (13 episodes, Jan 2017 proposal referencing 'Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation' in the filename), and (2) Radical Breakthroughs (13 episodes on consciousness, mathematics, evolution, etc.). Kuhn opened a sub-account under The Kuhn Foundation 501(c)(3) dedicated to the Epstein project: 'Kuhn Foundation CTT JE - Radical Breakthroughs' to facilitate monitoring use of funds. Epstein directed the content, telling Kuhn to cut episodes and add topics like 'antibiotics and their cognitive impacts.' Kuhn splits time between Santa Monica, Beijing, and New York.

The Dec 1, 2018 gathering at 9 E 71st St was a science salon: Kuhn (noon appointment), Misha Gromov (mathematician, Abel Prize laureate - who left his glasses at Epstein's house that day), Richard Axel (Nobel Prize neuroscience 2004), and Vincenzo Lozze were all present. The next day (Dec 2), Epstein and Gromov exchanged deep intellectual emails about Fourier transforms, receptor-senses, and musical chords as a mechanism for coherent perception. Kuhn served as the intellectual broker who connected Epstein with this caliber of scientists, paralleling the Radical Breakthroughs production concept.

On Dec 1, 2018, Epstein's daily schedule shows Robert Kuhn at noon alongside: Misha Gromov (mathematician, 10am), Vincenzo Lozze (12:30pm), Kathy Ruemmler (2pm, visit her new apartment on Mott St), and Richard Axel (Nobel laureate neuroscientist, 5pm). The Nov 29, 2017 schedule shows Kuhn at 4:45pm alongside Gromov (1pm), Deepak Chopra (7pm), and Woody Allen dinner (8pm). This places Kuhn squarely in Epstein's science salon circle. Kuhn also references Misha Gromov in the Breakthroughs preproduction book (Dec 2017). In March 2019, Kuhn discussed optimizing funding between the JEVI Foundation (Epstein's) and CTT.

Kuhn was part of Epstein's regular inner rotation of contacts. A Jan 4, 2019 Epstein note lists 'kuhn jide kathy bannon reid' together as a contact group. A separate schedule note reads 'friday mooch ruemmler bannon. sat kuhn' - placing Kuhn in the same weekly rotation as Anthony Scaramucci, Kathryn Ruemmler (Obama WH counsel), and Steve Bannon. On April 26, 2018, Kuhn's meeting was scheduled the same day as a Bannon dinner (previous evening) and a dinner with Woody Allen. This integration into Epstein's social schedule suggests Kuhn was not merely a grant recipient but a regular associate.

April 6, 2019 meeting included Kuhn, Greg Chaitin (mathematician, algorithmic information theory pioneer), Chaitin's philosopher wife, and Peter Getzels (CTT producer/director). These scientists were part of Kuhn's CTT network that Epstein accessed. Kuhn also connected Epstein to Giulio Tononi (consciousness researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Patrick McNamara (neurology, Boston University). Epstein episode included 'Evolutionary Dynamics' - his Harvard program.

Kuhn served as a science talent scout for Epstein, arranging meetings with leading intellectuals. On April 6, 2019, Kuhn organized a meeting at 9 E 71st St between Epstein and mathematician Gregory Chaitin (with wife and 18-month-old toddler), with Peter Getzels and Kuhn also present. Kuhn came early (11am) to discuss private matters before Chaitin arrived at noon. The Dec 1, 2018 schedule shows Kuhn alongside Misha Gromov (mathematician, Abel Prize), Vincenzo Lozze, and Richard Axel (Nobel laureate neuroscientist). This pattern - Kuhn as intellectual broker introducing scientists to Epstein - parallels the roles of John Brockman (Edge Foundation) and Martin Nowak (Harvard Program for Evolutionary Dynamics).

Kuhn is connected to the Berggruen Institute, a major geopolitical think tank founded by Nicolas Berggruen. The Berggruen Institute focuses on governance and US-China relations - overlapping with Kuhn's primary expertise areas. Kuhn also has 170 documents in the Epstein-related corpus on EpsteinExposed.com, including extensive biographical materials, China Daily profiles, CCTV show pages, and Global Times interviews. He appears in 160 documents in the Epstein 20K House Oversight set. He has relationships tracked in LittleSis (entity 355985) where he is categorized as a Public Intellectual with the Kuhn Foundation (entity 355986) listed as a Policy/Think Tank.

No litigation found involving Robert Lawrence Kuhn or The Kuhn Foundation in CourtListener. Searches of cases, opinions, and RECAP dockets returned zero results matching our target. All 'Kuhn Foundation' and 'Robert Kuhn' results were unrelated individuals (bankruptcy, divorce, criminal cases). No FARA registration by Robert Lawrence Kuhn (only unrelated James F. Kuhn for Iceland). No lobbying filings for The Kuhn Foundation or Closer To Truth. No SEC EDGAR filings. No OpenSanctions records. Clean legal footprint.

Robert Lawrence Kuhn has deep China connections that would have been of strategic value to Epstein. In Jan 2017 Kuhn sent Epstein his inauguration-day commentary on Sino-US relations under Trump (YouTube/BBC), noting he was doing CNBC on Trump-China. In March 2018 from Beijing, Kuhn discussed abolition of term limits for China's president on CNN Amanpour and Bloomberg, and mentioned 'Saudi stuff - which we should discuss.' Kuhn attends high-level political/business events in China and mentions working China politics/business. Epstein's reference to Kuhn winning a long-odds bet on Trump with Woody (Allen) shows intimate social relationship. LittleSis describes Kuhn as a Public Intellectual who promotes good relations between America and China.

In March 2017, Kuhn revealed to Epstein that he had just returned from a month in China where he moderated the Israeli PM's discussion with leading Chinese technologists (including Baidu CEO Robin Li) at the request of the governments of China and Israel, for the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This confirms Kuhn operates at the highest levels of China-Israel government relations, serving as an intermediary between the two states. Combined with his regular BBC/CNN/Bloomberg/CNBC commentary on Chinese politics, Kuhn provided Epstein with a direct window into Chinese leadership thinking and China-Israel diplomacy.

Kuhn represents a significant China-intelligence nexus in the Epstein network. He is one of very few Westerners with direct access to Chinese senior leadership (wrote biography of Jiang Zemin, received Friendship Medal from Xi Jinping, commentator on CCTV/CGTN). In a March 2018 email to Epstein, Kuhn wrote 'Also Saudi stuff - which we should discuss' while reporting from Beijing on Xi's elimination of term limits. Kuhn regularly traveled between Beijing, Santa Monica, and New York, frequently reporting on China geopolitics to Epstein. Their correspondence also discussed US/China/Middle East politics as 'fun'. This is consistent with Epstein's pattern of cultivating individuals with access to foreign government leaders.

Kuhn and Epstein discussed geopolitics as private business beyond the TV project. Kuhn wrote: 'We can always do Skype, of course' and 'Obviously, whenever we need to communicate privately about Radical Breakthroughs just email, Skype or meet. Also on other stuff, too.' Their calls included 'private, pick-me-up Skype/FaceTime on geopolitics' separate from project discussions. Kuhn explicitly distinguished 'private matters' from the Chaitin meeting. Topics discussed included Trump-Xi relations, China trade war, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the Silk Road. This suggests the TV project was not the sole basis of the relationship.

Kuhn's dual role as China government adviser and Epstein associate raises intelligence questions. Kuhn moderated events 'at request of govts of China and Israel,' hosted CGTN (Chinese state media) show, wrote authorized Jiang Zemin biography, and was regular Fox Business/CNN/BBC China commentator. He shared China intel with Epstein - emails show him forwarding analysis on Trump-Xi Summit, North Korea, Xi Jinping's Politburo Standing Committee. Emails show Epstein sending Kuhn neuroscience articles, Kuhn sending China geopolitical analysis. This is the same pattern of intellectual/intelligence exchange seen with other Epstein contacts.

March 27-28, 2019 email thread reveals Kuhn was managing Epstein's public exposure risk around the Closer To Truth filming. Epstein wanted to meet scientists being filmed but Kuhn assessed 'level of risk' for each. Kuhn recommended Epstein meet Gregory Chaitin (lives in Brazil, low risk) but NOT Danny Chamovitz (new president of Ben Gurion University of the Negev, might be nervous). Kuhn explicitly worried someone 'could try to make a problem with PBS.' Epstein responded: 'i have no ego or interest in public jevi or anything associated with me I only like to listen to ideas one on one and talk to the guys you now thinik are super smart. thats all.' This shows: (1) Epstein was aware his association was toxic, (2) Kuhn actively managed reputational risk, (3) 'JEVI' appears to be Epstein's self-reference, and (4) the relationship continued despite awareness of the risk.

Robert Lawrence Kuhn (b. Nov 6, 1944) is a public intellectual, investment banker, PhD brain scientist (UCLA), and MBA (MIT Sloan). He is President/founder of The Kuhn Foundation (EIN 33-0783933, 357 Waverly Dr Pasadena CA 91105), a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation established 1999. He created and hosts the PBS series Closer to Truth. He is one of the most prominent Western interpreters of Chinese government policy, awarded China Reform Friendship Medal by Xi Jinping in 2018. Email: [email protected], phone: (818) 519-7586.

Kuhn is 'a long-time adviser to China'\''s senior leaders and the Chinese government, an international corporate strategist and investment banker.' He authored the authorized biography of Jiang Zemin (The Man Who Changed China), hosts CGTN/CCTV show 'Closer to China with R.L. Kuhn', and regularly moderates high-level China events including at request of Chinese and Israeli governments. Frequently traveled between Beijing, Los Angeles, and New York.

The Radical Breakthroughs series was never completed. According to CNBC (Dec 12, 2019), the project lacked funding after Epstein's death. The 13-episode series had been in active pre-production since June 2017, with detailed episode lists, budgets, and participant vetting. Epstein had committed $1.4M total; only $650K was delivered through Gratitude America before his arrest. The project represented Epstein's attempt to create a PBS-branded science series where he would have creative influence over participant selection and episode topics, effectively laundering his reputation through association with Nobel laureates and leading scientists.

Epstein was executive producer/funder of Kuhn's 'Radical Breakthroughs' TV series - a planned 13-episode extension of Closer to Truth covering mathematics, biology, brain/mind topics. Epstein had creative control: he selected which 13 of 15 proposed episodes to produce, requested video links for every potential participant, and Kuhn asked Epstein for names of scientists he had funded or recommended. Key participants discussed included Gregory Chaitin (mathematician), Misha Gromov (mathematician), Richard Axel (Nobel neuroscientist), Giulio Tononi (consciousness researcher). Peter Getzels was the producer/director. Production locations included NY, Boston, LA, Santa Fe, London, Oxford, Cambridge.