The Talented Mr. Epstein
Vanity FairJUL 2025
The Epstein Scandal
Has the rushed release of files violated victims' privacy with nothing to show for it or shown the American people how many elites are being protected by the DOJ?
Above: Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend a Wall Street concert event in New York City on March 15, 2005 (inset). Image credit: Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Extensive investigations under both Republican and Democratic administrations have shown that, beyond Epstein and his convicted partner Ghislaine Maxwell, no credible evidence implicates other high-profile individuals in criminal acts. Up until the latest rushed release, the DOJ released all possible information without jeopardizing victims' privacy. Now that Congress has forced the DOJ to sift through millions of pages in just weeks, mistakes have been made and victims were exposed, with no new damning evidence to show for it.
Establishment-critical narrative
The Epstein scandal demonstrates coordinated protection for wealthy and powerful individuals, likely leading all the way up to the CIA and Mossad. Despite damning evidence and numerous named associates, the legal system granted Epstein lenient deals, and subsequent prosecutions completely avoided investigating his alleged accomplices. While the government maintains its loyalty to the corrupt and powerful by not launching criminal probes, the American people have at least been able to see how many elites were involved in Epstein's criminal circle.
Public Figures
Go Deeper
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0