With the imminent release of the long-discussed Epstein files hanging over the nation, the most deplorable acts of the wealthy and powerful seem poised to come to light.
The mystery surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, his sex-trafficking network, his 2019 death and well-documented ties to powerful, influential people have been a subject of intense public attention for years. Perhaps no group of people has been discussed more in this scandal than the political ruling class of the United States, with notable examples being former President Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump. Both men have shared a provable friendship with Epstein, a friendship that’s been said to have occurred during the time Epstein was committing some of his most horrific crimes. Trump, especially, made the files a campaign talking point, presenting himself as the one who would “finally” bring transparency to the matter.
However, that posture didn’t last. The White House soon pivoted to calling the Epstein files a “hoax,” a claim many Republicans even refused to buy. This happened, coincidentally, around the same time the Trump administration would have had the opportunity to review the files themselves and see which individuals are listed. Case in point: the current president of the United States. Despite supporting and even campaigning for the release of the Epstein files over the past year, his mood toward releasing them has soured over time.
A turning point came when Democrats and some Republican members of Congress decided to force the issue by publishing some emails attributed to Epstein, including several that appear, to critics, fairly damning in relation to Trump. With the release of these emails, the idea of Trump being involved with Epstein for unsavory reasons has become, for many observers, impossible to deny. With Trump finally signing off on the bill mandating the files’ release, this step toward accountability, transparency and justice may come as a relief to many Americans. However, the same cannot be said for those for whom these values mean nothing.
After the release of certain emails, all the usual suspects across conservative media jumped to dive on the grenade that’s been the emails’ release. Fox News commentators came out of the woodwork to try and downplay the seriousness of the files that have been fear-mongered by the Republican Party for years. One of the most disastrous attempts to downplay this scandal came from commentator Megyn Kelly, who took an angle to defend Epstein, and by extension, Trump, in the most mind-boggling way possible. Kelly’s defense of Epstein essentially hinged on the idea that underage girls weren’t as young as originally supposed. According to Kelly, we shouldn’t hold Trump’s relationship with Epstein against him, as the victims were 15 years old (still illegal), and not as young as five or eight years old.
This is one of the most confounding things I have heard out of conservative media in quite some time. I am amazed at how foolish and troubling commentators and many on the right are willing to sound, jumping to Trump’s defense over actions any reasonable person would be against. As the files are now set to be released within 30 days, I shudder to think how deeply conservative media will dig themselves into this hole to further defend Trump, perpetuating harmful values and rhetoric across society.
