Jeffrey Epstein’s name is synonymous with his crimes. As a sex trafficker, pedophile, rapist, extorter, and fraudster, proven association with Epstein is like the political kiss of death. The Epstein files, then, can be considered a political black book. If that sounds too much like a fairy tale, that’s because it is: a myth only lent credence through shared belief. Take a look at the headlines, though, and you’ll see a far different narrative. How did we get here?
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump alleged over and over again that the files would reveal his political enemies as co-conspirators in Epstein’s crimes. The claims hit home, contributing to his anti-establishment narrative and ultimately helping him win the presidency, despite the fact that they aren’t grounded in reality.
Epstein was arrested in 2019 by federal agents under Trump’s first administration. The FBI began investigating Epstein in 2006 under the Bush administration before a 2008 plea deal, only reopening the case in 2018. The idea that Democrats somehow covered up the files is a moot point because it assumes Democrats controlled the executive branch at any point in that ordeal. They did not.
This is what Trump must have discovered when he got into office and subsequently refused to release the files. What ensued is the kind of political chaos you might play circus music over. Pam Bondi, Trump’s attorney general, told news outlets the files were “sitting on [her] desk,” ready to be released, in February before going silent. Worse, Bondi reportedly told Trump that he was in the files days later.
It’s clear now that Trump lied about his intent to release the files and their content. The more salient point is this: the Epstein files don’t exist.
At least, our idea of them doesn’t. The concept originates from the flight logs Epstein kept of those who flew to his island, which were released in early 2024. There is no evidence that a “client list” exists; only the Trump administration has said otherwise, a claim which they have now walked back. The concept might be compelling, but the FBI does not have a magical true-crime-esque document that tells Republicans—or Democrats—exactly what they want to hear.
Despite the Trump administration’s abandonment of their promise to declassify files, the Epstein files live on in political discourse. House Democrats, eager to best Trump on his platform, have fixated on them. In July, they forced endless House votes to prove Republicans were hypocritical. In August, they moved to subpoena Epstein’s estate, and now, in September, they’re interrogating FBI Director Kash Patel about his lack of cooperation.
There is, underneath political ridiculousness, a lesson to be learned. It is far easier to campaign on a conspiracy than it is to be elected based on one, and the Trump administration should have been transparent in 2019 instead of lying in 2024. It is fundamentally unethical for politicians to make unverifiable claims on the campaign trail. When Trump says something, he is lent credibility from his position as the president, and his lies about the Epstein files erodes the trust that Americans have in the White House. More importantly, voters should know better than to give the Epstein files credence.
The reason the files have power is because we give them power. Because we care, politicians have license to make baseless allegations and ignore actual issues which affect citizens. Stop hunting for the Epstein files, and start thinking about real life.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Oct. 2, 2025
