A Florida man has gone viral online after social media users pointed out what many described as an uncanny resemblance to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, prompting the driver to publicly address the attention and clarify his identity, as reported by The New York Post.

The man, who identified himself as “Palm Beach Pete,” said the situation began unexpectedly while he was driving along Interstate 95. According to Pete, he had no idea he was being recorded at the time.

Florida man goes viral for ‘crazy’ likeness: ‘I’m not Jeffrey Epstein. I’m Palm Beach Pete!’ https://t.co/gctsP8vsAM pic.twitter.com/jQtGfkzDz3

— New York Post (@nypost) March 20, 2026

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“The driver later addressed how his phone started ‘blowing up’ after ‘some dude randomly filmed me while I was driving on I-95, unbeknownst to me,’” he explained in a widely shared Instagram video.

Pete said the viral moment caught him off guard, adding, “And the next thing I know, I’m a viral sensation.”

As the video circulated across social media platforms, viewers quickly began commenting on what they described as a striking resemblance to Epstein, who died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

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In response to the comparisons, Pete addressed the situation directly in the clip, stating, “I’m not Jeffrey Epstein. I’m Palm Beach Pete!”

 

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Despite his clarification, online reactions continued to pour in, with many users expressing disbelief at the similarity. Some commenters suggested that Pete should alter his appearance to avoid further confusion.

“Dude has to get this constantly. Time to grow a beard,” one person wrote.

Others took a more sarcastic tone, joking about conspiracy theories that have persisted since Epstein’s death.

Some online users referenced ongoing speculation about whether Epstein’s death was truly a suicide, while others made dark humor comments tied to those theories.

“I’m sorry to hear about your car accident next week man,” one commentator quipped.

The viral attention surrounding the video has kept discussions about Epstein in the public eye, years after his death.

Epstein’s death in federal custody was officially ruled a suicide, though it has continued to generate widespread speculation and debate online.

Interest in the case has also been renewed in recent months as the U.S. Department of Justice releases additional batches of documents connected to Epstein.

These releases have come following pressure from lawmakers and in response to a legal requirement mandating broader disclosure.

However, not all records tied to the case have been made public. Some documents remain partially redacted, with certain information withheld beyond the names of victims.

The continued release of materials, combined with viral moments like Pete’s unexpected internet fame, has contributed to ongoing public attention surrounding Epstein and the broader case.

While Pete’s resemblance to Epstein may have sparked the viral moment, he has maintained that he is simply a Florida resident caught in an unusual situation, emphasizing his identity in response to the speculation circulating online.

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