Good morning, dear reader,
Let’s kick off the week with some thoughts.
Trump vs Epstein
“We shouldn’t have to pay another parking ticket until at least ten visitors to Epstein’s island are questioned,” I said to friends in Washington, DC over the weekend. We were discussing how to approach the Epstein situation, and I wondered if Ghislaine Maxwell would be the only high-profile figure brought to justice.
I heard that Trump denied any wrongdoing during that week, making statements supportive of Attorney General Pam Bondy. He also urged people to “stop talking” about Jeffrey Epstein.
“It seems he doesn’t grasp that Epstein committed a terrible crime and became a wealthy elite who evaded accountability,” I mentioned to a close friend last week, discussing events from the White House. “It’s like Trump is, in a way, set up to confront this structure.”
This is Trump’s predicament. After Epstein’s death, he somewhat ascended to a bizarre status, almost like an unwelcome figure who doesn’t fade away for Trump’s most ardent fans.
“Sure, challenge me, and I’ll be stronger than you think.” In some ways, he embodies that identity now.
Then there’s Tucker Carlson.
“The Epstein saga is quite disturbing,” Tucker commented at a TPUSA meeting over the weekend. “It sparks real frustration among people because it feels like a certain class consistently escapes the consequences for their actions.”
He’s spot on about that.
And this is not a new conversation. Let’s consider some historical examples.
Take Jimmy Savile, the notorious figure whose exploitation of minors was just as bold as Epstein’s. Was anyone implicated in his network? Not really.
Do we think that Hollywood didn’t know about Harvey Weinstein’s activities? It’s hard to believe they were all unaware of what was going on there. Bill Cosby? Probably similar.
Many other crimes remain unaddressed. Bernie Madoff operated with multiple accomplices, and the housing crisis seems to have resulted in only one major charge. Do you honestly think Elizabeth Holmes and her partner were the only ones in the know about Theranos being a fraud?
Meanwhile, thousands suffer due to opioid abuse, yet no one from the Sackler family has faced legal repercussions. This isn’t an isolated case.
These instances point to a network of elites who enjoy unimaginable wealth, often closely tied to influential figures both nationally and internationally.
When Trump urges people to forget about it, it’s no surprise that half the country might view it as a conspiracy. Even if Epstein wasn’t part of an intelligence operation, he operated comfortably among the powerful.
Maybe Trump knows more than we do, and prioritizes issues like immigration or the economy instead. That’s fair enough, I suppose.
However, the symbolism is significant, and amidst the ongoing uncertainty, the Epstein matter continues to hold tremendous weight.
What I’m reading
Bingo!
“It’s about accountability”: CNN’s David Urban on why Maga won’t dismiss Epstein’s claims
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Speaking of conspiracy theories, here’s another one.
Biden mentions he had to use an autopen due to the sheer volume of pardons
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Could it be that the third conspiracy theory would finally come to an end?
A year later, with Trump “very pleased” about the investigation, questions about Butler still persist
