Republicans have an Epstein problem
This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. Eighteen years after his first conviction, and seven years after his much-debated death, the ghost of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is suddenly inescapable again. He’s the subject of scores of midterm campaign […]
Eighteen years after Jeffrey Epstein's initial conviction and seven years after his controversial death, the ghost of the convicted sex offender is once again making headlines. He is the subject of numerous midterm campaign ads, each one more sensational than the last. A bill mandating the release of Epstein's files is currently circulating in Congress, and on Monday, House Democrats released a report alleging that the Justice Department helped cover up details of Epstein's relationship with President Donald Trump.
They are calling for an independent criminal investigation. However, it's unlikely that the Trump administration will take such a step, with a White House spokesperson dismissing the report as a "desperate attempt by crazed Democrats to distract Americans." The 50-page document draws on public accounts and staff interviews with survivors, including a former pageant queen who claims Trump raped her in 1993.
Democrats are seizing on this, using the scandal to damage Trump's image, as it continues to cast a long shadow over Republicans. Young voters, disillusioned with Trump's establishment ties, are particularly sensitive to the Epstein revelations, which they see as evidence of this establishment. Democrats are pouring resources into hammering the issue, with over 500 campaign ads currently airing across the country, many of which reference Epstein or the Epstein files.
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