The most powerful person in the world has sexual encounters with a 21-year-old staffer on the job. That’s abuse — it’s the power dynamic. The president is impeached and his reputation is stained.
A scammer becomes wealthy and powerful, and to satisfy his sexual cravings, grooms and blackmails girls and women for his personal use and to gain power over his wealthy and powerful friends/associates. Evidence is discovered in Palm Beach, prosecutors have a solid case (not a small feat in child sexual abuse cases), yet he serves a ridiculously light sentence and has lots nice perks in prison thanks to friends. Boy, evidence is so vast that the court really doesn’t want this getting out. The man later sets up a “modeling business” bringing Eastern European and Russian girls/women to the US. He also spends years swindling exorbitant amounts of money from people and businesses yet he is never accused of crimes. Decades of heinous crimes yet only one person has been convicted.
Any person who had an intimate friendship (business dealings”) with this man over the last 25 years knew what was happening. Their careers must end and their reputations must be reduced to dirt. As Elise’s last sentence calls us to do.
It seems like the will from American voters is there across the political divide, demanding accountability, but the system is built to protect the powerful. This gives a lot to think about in terms of how our systems could be edited to force “shame” onto our leaders. Thanks Elise!
One addition, forgot to mention the richest man in the world. Elon Musk used the files as political mudslinging when he got upset with his pal Donald, and then emphatically claimed that he turned down all offers to Epstein Island when it was revealed Musk also had a friendly relationship with Epstein. And then we got emails from Musk to Epstein begging for a trip to the island and even phrased his desire as wanting to go on the wildest night for parties. Several years after Epstein had been sent to prison and been labeled a sex offender, so we know Musk was very aware what a wild party on the island would be. No consequence, seemingly not even in business.
One other note: kind of wild watching Pam Bondi demonstrate so much unprofessional behavior before congress yesterday, taking zero responsibility. But then I remembered… she was Trump’s second choice for AG. Remember who would have been overseeing the release of the Epstein Files if Trump had his first choice? Matt Pedo Gaetz. The guy who had to duck out of Congress to avoid consequences from an ethics report that was going to find he used venmo to traffic and abuse at least one underage girl. That’s the level of judgement we have from the man in charge of the whole country. Astounding that he still has 100% support from most Republicans in power. The midterms can’t come fast enough!!!
Thank you, Elise , for your very interesting assessment of the Epstein files.
In Europe, one is guilty by association and in America, not so much . Here, one is innocent until proven guilty and thus far, Trump has not been found guilty of anything other than he knew Epstein and sometimes partied with him.
Is it no wonder that he is still walking free with all the redaction that has gone on through the DOJ?
They have gamed the system to where he is blameless and can do no wrong.
I think a lot of normal people are disgusted by the information that has come out in the files but they are too content in their daily lives to bother participating in politics and in the past the people in power have always done the right thing.
The systematic way that European countries are using the files to follow and identify leaders of possible corruption brings to mind how scientists tried to trace and track Covid outbreaks.
Then of course there is that question that I return to over and over again and never understand.
When does a child’s life no longer matter? At what age does a child outgrow that innate innocence that needs protection? Why must we protect a fetus to the possible death of the mother but then leave them to God’s hands when it comes to school lunches , school shootings, sex trafficking, etc…?
While I agree that it does not seem that there is much digging into what criminal actions should be prosecuted, there are merits to innocent until proven guilty...
The differences in how European and other nations are handling their leaders' appearances in the Epstein files and how the US is handling it underscores (yet again) the need for more than two political parties. In the UK, for example, while some of the differences are cultural ("even the appearance of impropriety is unacceptable"), the real political pressure comes from the necessity of forming party coalitions in Parliament to succeed since no one party ever has a majority.
I don’t understand how a person who has a long relationship with someone doesn’t know what is happening. I always thought if you know a crime was being committed or even suspected it, you were required to report it. Especially if it involves children.
The most powerful person in the world has sexual encounters with a 21-year-old staffer on the job. That’s abuse — it’s the power dynamic. The president is impeached and his reputation is stained.
A scammer becomes wealthy and powerful, and to satisfy his sexual cravings, grooms and blackmails girls and women for his personal use and to gain power over his wealthy and powerful friends/associates. Evidence is discovered in Palm Beach, prosecutors have a solid case (not a small feat in child sexual abuse cases), yet he serves a ridiculously light sentence and has lots nice perks in prison thanks to friends. Boy, evidence is so vast that the court really doesn’t want this getting out. The man later sets up a “modeling business” bringing Eastern European and Russian girls/women to the US. He also spends years swindling exorbitant amounts of money from people and businesses yet he is never accused of crimes. Decades of heinous crimes yet only one person has been convicted.
Any person who had an intimate friendship (business dealings”) with this man over the last 25 years knew what was happening. Their careers must end and their reputations must be reduced to dirt. As Elise’s last sentence calls us to do.
It seems like the will from American voters is there across the political divide, demanding accountability, but the system is built to protect the powerful. This gives a lot to think about in terms of how our systems could be edited to force “shame” onto our leaders. Thanks Elise!
One addition, forgot to mention the richest man in the world. Elon Musk used the files as political mudslinging when he got upset with his pal Donald, and then emphatically claimed that he turned down all offers to Epstein Island when it was revealed Musk also had a friendly relationship with Epstein. And then we got emails from Musk to Epstein begging for a trip to the island and even phrased his desire as wanting to go on the wildest night for parties. Several years after Epstein had been sent to prison and been labeled a sex offender, so we know Musk was very aware what a wild party on the island would be. No consequence, seemingly not even in business.
One other note: kind of wild watching Pam Bondi demonstrate so much unprofessional behavior before congress yesterday, taking zero responsibility. But then I remembered… she was Trump’s second choice for AG. Remember who would have been overseeing the release of the Epstein Files if Trump had his first choice? Matt Pedo Gaetz. The guy who had to duck out of Congress to avoid consequences from an ethics report that was going to find he used venmo to traffic and abuse at least one underage girl. That’s the level of judgement we have from the man in charge of the whole country. Astounding that he still has 100% support from most Republicans in power. The midterms can’t come fast enough!!!
Thank you, Elise , for your very interesting assessment of the Epstein files.
In Europe, one is guilty by association and in America, not so much . Here, one is innocent until proven guilty and thus far, Trump has not been found guilty of anything other than he knew Epstein and sometimes partied with him.
Is it no wonder that he is still walking free with all the redaction that has gone on through the DOJ?
They have gamed the system to where he is blameless and can do no wrong.
I think a lot of normal people are disgusted by the information that has come out in the files but they are too content in their daily lives to bother participating in politics and in the past the people in power have always done the right thing.
I suggest that we vote him out of office. What do you think, Meghan?
The systematic way that European countries are using the files to follow and identify leaders of possible corruption brings to mind how scientists tried to trace and track Covid outbreaks.
Then of course there is that question that I return to over and over again and never understand.
When does a child’s life no longer matter? At what age does a child outgrow that innate innocence that needs protection? Why must we protect a fetus to the possible death of the mother but then leave them to God’s hands when it comes to school lunches , school shootings, sex trafficking, etc…?
"Britain still has 'a degree of shame in politics....'" I think we need some of that shame in the States.
While I agree that it does not seem that there is much digging into what criminal actions should be prosecuted, there are merits to innocent until proven guilty...
The differences in how European and other nations are handling their leaders' appearances in the Epstein files and how the US is handling it underscores (yet again) the need for more than two political parties. In the UK, for example, while some of the differences are cultural ("even the appearance of impropriety is unacceptable"), the real political pressure comes from the necessity of forming party coalitions in Parliament to succeed since no one party ever has a majority.
I don’t understand how a person who has a long relationship with someone doesn’t know what is happening. I always thought if you know a crime was being committed or even suspected it, you were required to report it. Especially if it involves children.