Good morning, reader.

Let’s kick off the week with a bit of urgency.

Trump vs Epstein

“We shouldn’t have to pay any more parking tickets until at least ten people who visited Epstein Island are brought to justice.”

I shared that thought with some friends in Washington, DC this past weekend. The idea was to frame our response to reality and, honestly, it seems the only person likely facing consequences in the Epstein saga is Ghislaine Maxwell.

I’ve heard that Trump spent a lot of time distancing himself from Epstein recently, making multiple statements supporting Attorney General Pam Bondi. At one point, he even told the audience to “stop discussing” Epstein.

“It seems he doesn’t quite get that Epstein committed a horrific crime and became a wealthy figure who managed to evade justice,” I mentioned to my best friend last week, while we were chatting about the White House. “It’s like Trump is somehow in a position to challenge that gross injustice.”

That’s the conundrum for Trump. After Epstein’s passing, he morphed into something akin to an odd icon for some of Trump’s more devoted fans.

“If you doubt me, I’ll show you just how powerful I can be.”

Epstein became something of a ghost, a symbol that lingers.

Then there’s Tucker Carlson.

“The Epstein narrative is incredibly troubling,” he remarked at a recent TPUSA event. “People are enraged by Epstein’s actions, and it’s undeniably fueling political tensions.”

“What we’re seeing is the anger of everyday folks who watch a certain elite class skirt accountability time and again. That’s really what’s at play here.”

And you know, that’s a sentiment many share.

This conversation isn’t new. Let’s think of a few cases.

Take Jimmy Savile, that notorious British figure whose exploitation of minors was shockingly blatant. It’s believed plenty of individuals in power were complicit. Yet, has anyone faced charges? No.

You can’t help but wonder if the entertainment industry had its suspicions about Harvey Weinstein. Probably. The same goes for Bill Cosby.

Looking at other scandals, Bernie Madoff likely had numerous accomplices. The housing crisis? Only one major figure faced consequences. And really, do we believe Elizabeth Holmes and her partner were the only ones aware that Theranos was a fraud?

In the end, countless lives have been affected, and while this nation grapples with rampant opioid issues, not a single member of the Sackler family has been held accountable. Unreal, isn’t it?

This web connects a multitude of elite offenders with staggering wealth.

The common thread running through these scenarios is their ties to powerful figures in society.

When Trump stands up and tells us to “stop talking” about Epstein, it’s no surprise that a significant portion of the population sees it as an elaborate cover-up.

Even if Epstein wasn’t necessarily linked to intelligence operations, it’s evident he comfortably navigated among the influential. Perhaps Trump, aware of things we aren’t, feels he must prioritize immigration and economic issues. Fair enough.

However, symbols hold tremendous weight, and amidst ongoing death and unanswered questions, the Epstein narrative remains potent.

What I’m reading

Bingo!

“It’s about accountability”: CNN’s David Urban explains why Maga isn’t keen on discussing Epstein’s involvement

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On another note, Biden mentioned he had to resort to an autopen after issuing too many pardons.

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Could we see the end of conspiracy theories with that one?

A year later, even with Trump claiming to be satisfied with the investigation, questions about Butler persist.