The Endless Tease of “The List”
Every few months, news outlets resurrect the story of Jeffrey Epstein’s “list.” Sometimes it’s tied to a court filing, sometimes to a documentary, sometimes to a supposed insider leak. Each time, Americans are told that this will finally be the revelation — the moment the curtain is pulled back to expose the high-profile figures who participated in or enabled Epstein’s network of exploitation.
And each time, the so-called list either fails to materialize, arrives heavily redacted, or turns out to be a mix of names without context or evidence of wrongdoing. The headlines fade, the internet chatter slows down, and we’re right back to where we started — waiting for the next round of sensationalism.
This cycle has grown tiresome, especially for Trump’s base. They see the game being played: by keeping the “mystery list” alive, political opponents can continually imply guilt by association without ever producing proof. It’s a smear campaign in slow motion. The irritation comes not from fear that Trump is guilty, but from the sheer predictability of the ploy. Supporters know that if there were truly damning evidence, it would have already been weaponized. Instead, what we get is the drip-drip-drip of speculation, designed to wear down public patience and keep Trump’s name floating alongside Epstein’s in the cultural memory.
If Trump Were Guilty, Biden Would Have Used It
For Trump’s supporters, the logic is straightforward: if Trump were truly implicated in Epstein’s crimes, the Democrats would have made sure the world knew about it. Think about it. From the moment Trump descended the escalator in 2015, he has been under constant investigation and relentless political attack.
The Russia collusion narrative consumed nearly three years of his presidency. His tax returns were dragged through courts and committees. He was impeached twice, investigated over January 6, prosecuted over documents, and accused of everything from obstruction to incitement. His opponents have left no stone unturned in their quest to destroy him politically.
So ask yourself: do you really believe that if there were credible evidence connecting Trump to Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, Biden’s Department of Justice would have kept it hidden? Do you think Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign — which paid for the Steele dossier — would have passed on the opportunity to expose such a bombshell? Would Barack Obama’s administration, with all of its intelligence reach, have simply missed it?
Of course not. If that evidence existed, it would have been splashed across every newspaper and cable news chyron in America. The reason it hasn’t surfaced is simple: there’s nothing to surface.
The Media’s Selective Outrage
The role of the media in perpetuating the Epstein saga is perhaps the most infuriating part. Certain names are amplified, others buried, and the public is left with fragments of truth that never quite add up to the whole story.
We know, for example, that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet — the “Lolita Express” — multiple times, with logs documenting his trips. We know Prince Andrew faced a lawsuit and settled out of court with one of Epstein’s accusers. We know prominent bankers and CEOs were connected to Epstein’s financial dealings.
And yet, media coverage treats these names with kid gloves, often dismissing or downplaying the connections.
Trump, on the other hand, is continually dragged into the narrative despite the fact that he actually banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after an incident involving a staff member. Instead of highlighting this distinction, the press prefers to keep Trump’s name hovering around Epstein’s like a cloud of suspicion. It’s the oldest trick in the book: if you can’t prove wrongdoing, you can still imply it by repetition.
This selective outrage has become a hallmark of modern journalism. When a Democrat or royal is linked to Epstein, it’s framed as “complicated” or “nuanced.” When Trump’s name is even whispered in the same breath, it’s framed as potential scandal. The double standard couldn’t be clearer.
The Toll on Trump’s Base
For Trump’s supporters, the Epstein rumor cycle isn’t just annoying — it’s insulting. They see the establishment using gossip as a weapon, with no regard for evidence or fairness. It’s the same pattern they’ve witnessed with countless other attacks: start with an insinuation, keep it alive through repetition, and let the burden of proof fall on Trump to disprove it.
This wears on people. Trump’s base knows he’s not perfect — no politician is — but they resent the constant moving of goalposts. One moment it’s Russia, the next it’s taxes, then documents, now Epstein. The relentlessness of it all reinforces their belief that the establishment will never stop trying to destroy Trump, not because of what he’s done, but because of what he represents: a challenge to their power.
Every new “Epstein list” headline feels like déjà vu. Supporters roll their eyes, knowing that nothing will come of it, but also feeling the irritation of watching the same baseless narrative be recycled again and again. It’s a smear campaign without an endpoint, designed to sap energy and erode confidence.
It’s Time for the Truth
The Epstein scandal itself is no sideshow — it’s a tragedy and a stain on the institutions that enabled it. A wealthy, well-connected predator was allowed to operate for years with impunity, protected by people who looked the other way. His crimes demand accountability, not spin.
That’s why Trump’s base — and many Americans beyond it — want resolution. They want the full list. They want transparency, not hints and teases. They want to know who enabled Epstein, who looked the other way, and who might still be protected by silence.
If the list exists, it must be released in full. If it doesn’t, that truth must also be admitted. Either way, the limbo state serves no one but those who benefit from keeping the public guessing. Until the truth comes out, the Epstein narrative will remain a convenient weapon for political operatives who use rumor in place of fact.
Why This Matters
America cannot claim to be a nation of laws while letting the powerful skate past accountability. The Epstein case is about more than gossip — it’s about whether elites are shielded from the consequences of their crimes.
For Trump’s base, the stakes are even higher. The never-ending Epstein speculation proves how easily rumor can be weaponized against a political outsider. Settling the issue once and for all would not only bring closure to a national scandal but also restore some measure of fairness in how accusations are wielded in politics.
The Epstein story should be about justice for victims, not about endless insinuation against those with no proven ties. Until it is settled, it will remain both a symbol of institutional corruption and a constant source of irritation for Trump supporters who know the truth: if there were evidence against him, it would already have been used.
References
Caldwell, L. (2024, January 4). Unsealing Jeffrey Epstein documents: What to know about the release. The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com
Jacobs, B. (2023, July 5). Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago years before arrest. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com
Rogers, K. (2020, November 15). Why the Epstein scandal won’t go away. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this post are opinions of the author for educational and commentary purposes only. They are not statements of fact about any individual or organization, and should not be construed as legal, medical, or financial advice. References to public figures and institutions are based on publicly available sources cited in the article. Any resemblance beyond these references is coincidental.
