Lloyd Blankfein, the former chief executive of Goldman Sachs, addressed his tenure at the firm, his relationship with Donald Trump, and the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in a recent interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin of The New York Times.
Blankfein, who led Goldman Sachs through the 2008 financial crisis, discussed his reflections on a career spanning decades at the investment bank. The conversation touched upon the complexities of navigating Wall Street and the ethical considerations inherent in high finance. He likewise detailed aspects of his new memoir, offering insights into the decision-making processes within the firm and his personal experiences leading it.
The interview also explored Blankfein’s interactions with Donald Trump, both before and during Trump’s presidency. Although details of the specific discussions were not immediately available, the conversation acknowledged the often-complicated relationship between the financial world and political power. Blankfein’s past support for Democratic candidates contrasted with his occasional engagements with Trump, a dynamic he reportedly addressed in the interview.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the repercussions for Goldman Sachs stemming from its association with Jeffrey Epstein. The firm has faced scrutiny over its dealings with Epstein, and the interview provided an opportunity for Blankfein to address the ongoing fallout. The New York Times has previously reported on the Epstein connections and the subsequent impact on Goldman Sachs, and the interview offered a platform for Blankfein to respond to those reports.
Sorkin, a financial journalist with The New York Times, has himself been the subject of scrutiny regarding past reporting. QZ.com reported that Sorkin had previously stated that Greg Smith, a former Goldman Sachs employee who publicly criticized the firm, had “conned” The New York Times with his account. This context adds another layer to the dynamic between interviewer and subject, given Sorkin’s own history with stories involving Goldman Sachs.
The interview also touched upon a separate matter involving Goldman Sachs, as highlighted by Business Insider. Andrew Ross Sorkin reported on a situation where Goldman Sachs was accused of improperly handling the sale of a company it had advised, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. The details of this specific case were not fully elaborated in initial reports, but it represents another instance of scrutiny faced by the investment bank.
As of February 28, 2026, Goldman Sachs has not issued a formal response to the specific points raised in the interview. The firm’s official website remains silent on the matter, and no further statements from its representatives have been released.
