Decoding Epstein

A Healthy Skeptic’s Guide to the Epstein Saga

In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released an unsigned memo concluding there was "no incriminating client list," "no credible evidence of blackmail," and nothing that could "predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties" in the Jeffrey Epstein case. In short, the Trump administration signaled it would not be disclosing new information or pursuing further accountability.

The backlash was swift—and unusually bipartisan. While critics like Senator Ron Wyden; Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein; Trump’s former U.N. ambassador, Trump’s former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, with whom he has had a fraught relationship; and CNN anchor Jake Tapper were expected, condemnation also came from Trump allies including Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Lauren Boebert, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and even Alex Jones—who reportedly vomited and cried upon hearing the news. Similarly, his supporters condemned Trump’s decision on Truth Social, ratioing the President on his own platform for the first time—a term used when replies or quote posts far outnumber likes, signaling overwhelming disapproval.

In response to these criticisms, Trump wrote to supporters urging them not to “waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein.” He later posted that the Democrats’ “new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker.” Some, like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk, chose to fall in line, urging their audiences to 'trust Trump' rather than press the Epstein issue. But they seem to be the exception. MAGA backlash over the handling of the Epstein files continues to dominate social media and the podcast sphere and split Trump’s coalition in the process.

For those unfamiliar with the Epstein saga, it might sound like just another internet conspiracy. And to be fair, plenty of wild, baseless claims have circulated. But beneath the noise lies a disturbing reality: Epstein had ties to some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world. This story matters—not just because of what it reveals about elite networks, but because it helped shape the political identities of many, especially in online spaces.

MAGA supporters—and many leftists skeptical of elite power—have built their political identities around what they see as the corruption, double standards, and crimes tied to the Epstein saga. So when the case seemingly closed with a memo that raised more questions than answers, it triggered a political earthquake that’s already underway. Sensing the rift, Rep. Ro Khanna tried to channel MAGA outrage by voting to release the files. He was voted down in committee by all but one Republican.

This essay offers a clear, grounded introduction for those who haven’t followed the story closely, and examines how the federal government’s handling of the case—especially under Trump 2.0—has fueled outrage and suspicion that is worthy of healthy skepticism.

The Rise of Epstein’s Empire

Epstein’s path to cultivating relationships with powerful people began in the 1970s, when he was hired to be a teacher at the prestigious Dalton School by Donald Barr, the father of Trump’s Attorney General Bill Barr. There Epstein began cultivating relationships that would lead to a career advising billionaires, starting at Bear Stearns (which he left shortly before an insider trading investigation in 1981). Reports indicate that he would end up living in one of the most expensive homes in Manhattan, purchased by Les Wexner the founder of L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret, who seemingly purchased the home, never moved in, and then transferred ownership to his financial adviser Epstein. In the coming decades, Epstein would interact with powerful figures like David Blaine, Bill Gates, Chris Rock, Woody Allen, Jes Staley, Peter Thiel, Noam Chomsky, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, and Bill Clinton (Click here for a more comprehensive list of Epstein’s contacts).

It is not known how Epstein, who was worth a reported $560 million upon his death in 2019, made his money, but he was able to keep the home in Manhattan, have another in Florida, and purchase an island in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he would bring wealthy guests, some of whom were accused of engaging in sexual relations with girls that Epstein had sex trafficked to the island.

Such accusations began in 2005, when Palm Beach police began investigating Epstein after the family of a 15-year-old girl alleged she—and many others—had been sexually abused at his mansion. Despite multiple accusers, a grand jury indicted Epstein on just one charge: soliciting prostitution. Outrage over the lenient charge led to a federal investigation.

Behind closed doors, U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta struck a secret plea deal: Epstein pleaded guilty to two minor charges, served 18 months (mostly on work release), and registered as a sex offender—avoiding far more serious federal charges.

Legal Entanglements and Death

Over the next decade, dozens more women came forward. Virginia Giuffre alleged that Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell arranged sexual encounters between her and powerful men, including Prince Andrew, Duke of York (In 2022, Prince Andrew settled a civil sexual assault case brought against him in the U.S. by Giuffre). In 2018, a Miami Herald investigation reignited public scrutiny, especially of Acosta, who was then Trump’s Secretary of Labor. Epstein was arrested in July 2019; Acosta resigned soon after.

On August 10, 2019, Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell. Though ruled a suicide, the circumstances were suspicious: he’d recently been removed from suicide watch, his guards falsified records, and security cameras reportedly malfunctioned and recorded unusable footage or were erased.

In 2020, French modeling agent and Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel was arrested in Paris on sex trafficking charges. In 2022, he was found hanged in his prison cell in an apparent suicide.

Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking and conspiracy. She received a 20-year sentence in 2022 and appealed in 2024. When she was arrested, Trump commented “Yeah, I wish her well, I’d wish you well. I’d wish a lot of people well. Good luck. Let them prove somebody was guilty.” In the midst of the MAGA civil war over the Epstein Files, CBS reported that the DOJ urged “the Supreme Court to turn away Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal.”

In 2023, a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase alleged that the bank ignored internal warnings about Epstein’s criminal activity while continuing to profit from its relationship with him. JPMorgan ultimately paid a $290 million settlement. That same year, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that the bank "knowingly benefited" from Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. Also in 2023, billionaire Leon Black agreed to pay over $60 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands in exchange for protection from current and future lawsuits about his involvement with Epstein and his island.

By late 2023, calls for transparency intensified. Court documents released in 2024 confirmed extensive travel and detailed allegations of widespread abuse. In early 2025, Trump released files related to the Epstein investigation to influencers, but later revoked their access. Finally, in July 2025, a DOJ memo claimed there was no evidence of a “client list,” blackmail, or murder.

Trump’s Conflict of Interest

Part of the reason that the White House’s handling of Epstein warrants healthy skepticism derives from Trump’s conflict of interest. Trump appeared to entertain Epstein-related conspiracy theories while campaigning in 2024. On Lex Fridman’s podcast, he said he had “no problem” releasing the Epstein files, and echoed similar sentiments on Fox News Channel. Fox News edited the clip to hide Trump’s backpedaling on releasing the Epstein files—and it’s unclear whether he’ll sue them for the deceptive editing like he did with CBS.

After taking office, Trump’s tone shifted. In June 2025 on Fox News Channel, he enthusiastically pledged to release the 9/11 and JFK documents, but hesitated on Epstein: “Yeah, yeah I would… I guess I would… You don’t want to affect people’s lives if it’s phony stuff… a lot of phony stuff with that whole world.” After the DOJ closed the Epstein case in July 2025, Trump dismissed the topic altogether, saying, “You’re still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? That is unbelievable…Are people still talking about this guy, this creep?”

This reversal could reflect a shift in judgment based on new evidence—or a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest arises when personal relationships or interests could compromise professional judgment. Even if no misconduct occurs, the possibility warrants skepticism—especially when behavior appears inconsistent with prior commitments.

Trump and Epstein had a well-documented relationship. In a 2017 audio recording, Epstein told journalist Michael Wolff, “I was Donald Trump’s closest friend for 10 years.” Photos show them together frequently; Wolff claimed the government possesses images of them with topless women. In 2002, Trump praised Epstein as “terrific” and noted his fondness for “younger” women.

NBC reported Trump “allegedly flew” on Epstein’s plane. Accuser Sarah Ransome once publicly alleged that both Trump and Clinton were involved in sex trafficking, though she had previously recanted. In 2016, another accuser claimed put the two men together at a party where she alleged that both men raped her in 1994. She dropped the case for unspecified reasons in November of 2016. Wolff also claimed Epstein discussed using compromising evidence on both men to secure his release in 2019.

Trump has cited concern for victims as a reason not to release the Epstein files—despite the fact that redactions could protect their identities. He also claimed that parts of the files were “made up” by former FBI Director James Comey, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden—arguing that releasing them would only help those figures mislead the public. But this raises serious questions: When and how could these individuals have fabricated investigative documents? And if Trump believes there’s a mix of true and false information, why not release everything with a report explaining what’s real and what’s not?

Shifting Stories, Clouded Truths

Another reason to be skeptical of the Trump White House’s handling of the Epstein files is its shifting story and lack of hard evidence. When officials keep rewriting the past to fit the latest spin, it’s not a cue for blind belief—or knee-jerk dismissal—it’s a flashing warning sign to start asking questions.

For years, Epstein critics—including then-Senator and now Vice President J.D. Vance—insisted a client list existed. In 2023, FBI Director Kash Patel affirmed the list's existence. Attorney General Pam Bondi also claimed early in Trump’s second term that the list was “on her desk.” But following the July 2025 DOJ memo, which stated no incriminating “client list” had been found, Bondi walked back her statement, saying she was referring to general Epstein investigation files. Meanwhile, Epstein’s former lawyer Alan Dershowitz publicly claimed a client list does exist and that he knows who’s on it—but can't share names due to “confidentiality.”

These contradictions understandably fuel public suspicion: was there a list that’s now being buried, or was it all political theater? Without full transparency, both theories remain plausible—and both warrant scrutiny.

Similar shifts occurred regarding Epstein’s death. For years, MAGA commentators suggested Epstein was murdered. Bondi and Patel stoked this by promising the release of the Epstein Files. Yet just before the DOJ memo’s release, Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated clearly that Epstein died by suicide.

Further confusion stems from the 10-hour surveillance video Bongino cited as “definitive” proof Epstein wasn’t murdered. The existence of the tape is at odds with reports that the tape either malfunctioned, failed to record, or was accidently erased. Nonetheless, Wired reported the surveillance video footage had been edited and stitched together. Relatedly, a one-minute gap is visible, which Bondi claims the missing time is normal for that camera and promised documentation—but none has surfaced. Journalist Julie K. Brown has also questioned whether the camera shown even faced Epstein’s cell.

Conflicting reports from within the White House, altered evidence, and inter-agency feuds—including claims that Bondi accused Bongino of leaking information and rumors that Bongino resigned from his FBI post over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files—have further muddied the story.

Concealing Evidence: The Gaps That Matter

The evidence provided – and missing – in the Epstein case is another reason to be skeptical of the White House’s claims about the Epstein Files. In the case of Epstein, it’s clear the government is withholding information, as by their own admission: they won’t release certain files to protect victims. That means there are files that exist, and they are being withheld from the public.

There’s strong reason to believe more evidence exists—like camera footage from Epstein’s Manhattan home and private island—but its whereabouts remain a mystery. Whether it was destroyed, buried, or ignored, no official explanation has been given. Insiders say there’s more, too. Senator Wyden, for example, claimed he gave the Trump administration a file full of additional evidence and actionable leads.

Then there is evidence that exists, but goes unaddressed by the memo. For example, former Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta allegedly said in 2017, that he offered Epstein a lenient plea deal because he was told Epstein “belonged to intelligence” and to back off. This, coupled with Epstein’s connections and shadowy past, has fueled long-standing speculation that Epstein ran a blackmail operation linked to global intelligence services—claims which often cite Ghislaine Maxwell’s father, Robert Maxwell, who was believed by some to have ties to Israeli intelligence. “Israel Gives Maxwell Farewell Fit For Hero” is how The Washington Post described Robert’s 1991 funeral. Nonetheless, the intelligence connection is highly disputed as is the claim that Israeli intelligence killed Maxwell.

While the idea that Epstein was an Israeli asset remains speculative, it hasn’t gone away. After the DOJ memo, Tucker Carlson repeated the theory publicly. Acosta, notably, has never clarified or denied the intelligence-related claims attributed to him.

Unexplained gaps, contradictions, and silence from key players are legitimate reasons for public scrutiny. They are certainly a reason to suspend judgement, ask questions, and demand answers from those in power.

Conclusion: Skepticism Without Surrender

Healthy skepticism is not only appropriate—it’s necessary when examining how the Epstein saga has been handled. Shifting narratives, withheld evidence, and conflicts of interest across powerful institutions all justify public doubt. Dismissing legitimate questions as mere “conspiracy theories” is just as harmful as blindly believing baseless ones. Instead of shutting down inquiry, we should be demanding answers and pressuring those in power to tell the truth. The Epstein case offers more than enough reason to question official accounts—and insisting on transparency is not paranoia; it’s a democratic responsibility

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Talk World Radio: Why Is NATO Invading Classrooms? This week on Talk World Radio, we are talking about NATO invading classrooms. Our guest Nolan Higdon is a political analyst, author, host of The Disinfo Detox Podcast, lecturer at Merrill College and the Education Department at University of California, Santa Cruz, and Project Censored Judge.

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