Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Peter Attia abruptly stepped down as Chief Science Officer at David Protein following revelations in recently released documents.
- His name appeared in over 1,700 documents from a DOJ release linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Attia’s own startup, Biograph, has remained completely silent and appears to be quietly removing his name from their website.
- Multiple companies including Eight Sleep have distanced themselves by removing Attia from advisory roles.
- The scandal highlights the fragility of reputation in the startup ecosystem and the importance of thorough due diligence.
- CBS News is facing internal conflict over whether to retain Attia as a contributor.
Table of contents
The world of high-stakes startups, celebrity doctors, and massive venture capital checks is usually filled with stories of success and innovation. But this week, the headlines are much darker. A storm has hit the health and wellness industry, and at the center of it is one of the most famous names in longevity: Dr. Peter Attia.
It is a story that mixes big business, deep secrets, and a sudden disappearance from the public eye. For startup founders and investors, it is a shocking lesson in how quickly a reputation can crumble. Let’s dive deep into what is happening, why it matters, and what the research tells us about this unfolding drama.
The Sudden Exit from David Protein
The story broke on a Monday, specifically February 2, 2026. The news came from a company called David Protein.
David Protein is not just a regular snack company. It is a high-growth startup based in New York that has been making waves in the food industry. They launched a flagship protein bar in September 2024 that boasts some impressive numbers:
- 28 grams of protein
- Zero sugar
- Only 150 calories per bar
But David Protein is also known for its heavy hitters. The company raised a massive $75 million in a Series A funding round in May 2025. This round was led by Greenoaks and included Valor Equity Partners. They even bought a supplier called Epogee to help them scale up.
Dr. Peter Attia was a huge part of this success. He wasn’t just a fan; he was the Chief Science Officer (CSO). He was also an early investor and the “scientific face” of the brand. His stamp of approval meant everything to health-conscious buyers.
Then, suddenly, he was gone.
Peter Rahal, the founder and CEO of David Protein, took to the social media platform X to make a brief, cold announcement. He stated simply that Attia “has stepped down from his role as Chief Science Officer at David.”
There was no long goodbye. There was no party. Almost immediately, Attia’s name and photo vanished from the company’s website and their “experts” page.
Why would a company cut ties with its biggest star so quickly? The answer lies in a stack of documents released by the U.S. government.
The Trigger: The Epstein Files
The reason for this sudden exit is linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier. On Friday, January 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released a massive collection of documents. This “document dump” contained about 3 million emails and files.
When journalists and researchers started looking through them, they found Peter Attia’s name. A lot.
According to reports, Attia’s name appeared in more than 1,700 documents in this release. Most of these were emails exchanged between Attia and Epstein between 2015 and 2017.
What Was in the Emails?
The content of these emails has shocked many of Attia’s fans. They depict a relationship that was friendly, familiar, and sometimes joking.
- “Tasteless” Jokes: Attia himself has admitted that some of the emails contained “crude” and “tasteless” jokes. He called the exchanges “embarrassing” and “indefensible.”
- Questionable Judgment: One specific story that has upset people involves Attia’s family. Reports suggest there was a time when Attia’s child was hospitalized. Instead of rushing back immediately, Attia reportedly chose to spend time with Epstein first.
- The Timeline: Attia met Epstein around 2014. This is important because Epstein had already been convicted of sex crimes in 2008. Attia knew about this conviction but continued the relationship for years.
Attia’s Defense
Dr. Attia posted a long response on X to try and explain his side of the story. He wanted to make a few things very clear:
- No Crimes: He denies being involved in any criminal activity.
- No Island: He says he never went to Epstein’s private island.
- No Plane: He says he never traveled on Epstein’s private plane.
- No Parties: He claims he did not attend any “sex parties.”
He explained that he thought the relationship was professional. He was interested in Epstein’s connections to science and philanthropy. He admits now that this was a “serious lapse in judgment.”
It is important to note that, as of now, there are no reports that Attia has been charged with a crime. The problem he faces is not a jail cell; it is the destruction of trust.
The Mystery of Biograph: Ghosting the Founder
While the exit from David Protein was public, something even stranger is happening at Attia’s own company, Biograph.
Biograph is a high-end healthcare startup. They sell a very premium service: preventive health and longevity testing. These subscriptions are not cheap – they cost between $7,500 and $15,000 per year.
Attia co-founded this company with an entrepreneur named John Hering. It was backed by some of the biggest names in venture capital, including Vy Capital, Human Capital, Alpha Wave, and WndrCo.
Usually, when a founder gets into trouble, the company issues a statement. They might say, “We support him,” or “We are investigating.”
Biograph has done something else. They have gone completely silent.
When reporters from TechCrunch reached out, Biograph “declined to comment” on whether Attia is still involved with the company. But their website tells a different story.
Pages on the Biograph website that used to list Peter Attia as a co-founder have been changed. Some have his name removed. Others just return a “file not found” error. It appears the company is trying to erase him from their digital history without actually saying a word.
This “quiet distancing” suggests that the company’s leaders are very worried about their reputation. In the luxury health market, trust is the most important product. If clients cannot trust the founder’s judgment, they might not trust his medical tests.
The Domino Effect: It’s Not Just One Company
The fallout from the Epstein files is spreading beyond David Protein and Biograph. Other companies and media outlets are scrambling to figure out what to do with Dr. Attia.
Eight Sleep
Peter Attia was on the scientific advisory board for Eight Sleep, a famous tech company that makes smart mattresses. He joined them around May 2024.
However, after the news broke, Business Insider reported that his name and photo disappeared from the Eight Sleep advisory page. Just like Biograph, they didn’t make a big announcement. They just quietly took him down.
The Battle at CBS News
Things are much more heated at CBS News. Dr. Attia was recently hired as a contributor, one of 19 new faces brought in by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
Now, there is an internal war going on:
- The Executives: The parent company, Paramount, and the HR department reportedly view Attia as a liability. They want to cut ties and fire him to protect the network’s image.
- The Editor: Bari Weiss is reportedly fighting to keep him. She has described the backlash as a “mob” reaction and wants to stand by him.
- The Showrunners: The people who actually run the shows are making their own calls. Tanya Simon, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” decided to pull a re-airing of a segment featuring Attia. She didn’t wait for permission; she just took him off the air.
Why This Matters to the Startup World
You might be wondering, “Why does this matter to me? I’m just trying to build my business.”
The story of Peter Attia is a powerful reminder of how fragile success can be. Attia is a best-selling author of Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. He has a massive podcast. He is a celebrity.
But in the world of business, reputation is currency.
For startup founders, this story highlights the importance of “due diligence.” Usually, we think of due diligence as investors checking out a startup’s numbers. But it goes both ways.
- Founders need to know who their investors are.
- Companies need to vet their advisors.
- Brands need to be careful about who they put on their “About Us” page.
David Protein raised $75 million. That is a life-changing amount of money. But now, instead of talking about their protein bars, everyone is talking about their ex-Chief Science Officer’s emails. It is a distraction that no CEO wants.
The medical community is also reacting. Dr. Sara Gottfried, a longevity physician, posted on LinkedIn that Attia has been “discredited.” She argued that the field of longevity relies on public trust. When a leader in the field shows such poor judgment, it hurts everyone.
Critics are also pointing out that while Attia is a doctor, he is not board-certified and did not complete his residency at Johns Hopkins. These details, which might have been overlooked when he was popular, are now being used against him.
The HeyEveryone Perspective: Relationships Are Everything
At HeyEveryone.io, we spend a lot of time thinking about how founders connect with people. Our entire mission is to solve the problem of cold outreach. We know that founders waste months trying to find the right investors, often sending emails into the void.
We use AI to help you find the right people – investors who actually care about your sector and your stage. We help you craft messages that resonate.
But this news story reminds us of something crucial: It’s not just about getting the meeting; it’s about knowing who you are meeting.
When you are fundraising, you are inviting people into your company. You are building a long-term relationship. The tools we build at HeyEveryone are designed to give you data. We analyze social activity, news mentions, and past investments to help you understand the investor before you hit “send.”
While our goal is to get you funded, the underlying principle is information. In the fast-moving world of startups, knowing the history and reputation of the people in your network is just as important as your pitch deck.
Dr. Attia’s situation shows that even the most powerful networks can unravel if they are built on shaky ground. For a founder, the lesson is clear: Build your network carefully. Use data to understand who you are talking to. And remember that in 2026, nothing stays hidden forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Peter Attia leave David Protein?
Peter Attia stepped down from his role as Chief Science Officer at David Protein following the release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice that showed extensive communication between Attia and Jeffrey Epstein. His name appeared in over 1,700 documents, prompting the company to quickly distance itself from him.
What were the emails between Peter Attia and Jeffrey Epstein about?
The emails, exchanged between 2015 and 2017, contained what Attia himself described as “crude” and “tasteless” jokes. They depicted a friendly and familiar relationship. Attia has stated the relationship was based on his interest in Epstein’s connections to science and philanthropy, though he acknowledges it was a serious lapse in judgment.
Has Peter Attia been charged with any crime related to Jeffrey Epstein?
No, as of now, there are no reports that Peter Attia has been charged with any crime. He has publicly denied involvement in any criminal activity, visiting Epstein’s island, traveling on his plane, or attending any inappropriate parties. The issue he faces is primarily one of reputation and public trust.
What is happening with Peter Attia’s company, Biograph?
Biograph has remained completely silent on Peter Attia’s status with the company. However, pages on their website that previously listed him as co-founder have been altered or removed, suggesting the company is quietly distancing itself from him without making an official statement.
Which other companies have cut ties with Peter Attia?
Eight Sleep, a smart mattress company where Attia served as a scientific advisor, removed his name and photo from their advisory page following the news. CBS News is also reportedly debating his future as a contributor, with internal conflicts between executives who want to terminate him and editor Bari Weiss who is defending him.
What lessons can startup founders learn from the Peter Attia situation?
This situation highlights the critical importance of thorough due diligence when choosing advisors, investors, and partners. Reputation is valuable currency in the startup world, and associations with controversial figures can quickly damage a company’s brand and credibility. Founders should carefully vet everyone they bring into their professional network.
