A Florida man is going viral for one bizarre reason — people think he’s Jeffrey Epstein.
The man, now known online as “Palm Beach Pete,” has been forced to publicly deny that he is the deceased financier after a video of him driving spread rapidly across social media.
The clip showed Pete behind the wheel on a Florida highway, with one user captioning it: “Epstein out here in South Florida,” sparking thousands of shocked reactions.
The resemblance was enough to convince some people they were seeing something far more disturbing.
Within days, Pete became an internet sensation.
Facing a flood of comments and speculation, he created social media accounts under the name “Not Epstein” to set the record straight.
“I’m not Jeffrey Epstein. I’m Palm Beach Pete,” he said in a video addressing the viral rumors.
But the story didn’t end there.
In a surprising twist, Pete admitted that he had actually been in the same circles as Epstein years ago.
“Back in the day… I went to a couple of parties and Epstein was there,” he revealed.
He clarified that he never had a personal relationship with Epstein and never spoke to him directly.
Still, the admission added fuel to an already explosive situation.
Pete described Epstein as “kinda creepy” and “mysterious,” echoing what many others have said about the disgraced financier.
According to him, Epstein was not widely known at the time and kept a low profile, with people unsure about how he made his money.
Despite the controversy, Pete insists he has nothing to hide.
He described himself as a retired, regular guy who previously worked in commercial real estate and now spends his time enjoying life in Florida.
“I didn’t do anything,” he said, adding that he simply happens to look like someone infamous.
The internet, however, has not let it go.
His resemblance has continued to draw attention, with some users joking, others questioning, and many simply stunned by the similarity.
In fact, the sudden fame has already translated into a growing online following, per the Daily Mail.
Pete’s social media accounts have quickly gained tens of thousands of followers as curiosity around him continues to grow.
While reactions online have been mixed, Pete noted that people in real life have been far more friendly, often asking for photos rather than making accusations.
Still, the situation highlights something deeper.
The fascination with Jeffrey Epstein has not faded, even years after his death in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
His connections to powerful figures and unanswered questions surrounding his life continue to fuel public interest and speculation.
That’s part of why this story exploded so quickly.
Even a lookalike is enough to trigger massive attention.
For now, Palm Beach Pete is trying to move forward, embracing the unexpected spotlight while making one thing clear.
