President Trump had hoped the Jeffrey Epstein scandal — and his past association with the late convicted pedophile and sex trafficker — would go away. It won’t. The recent Epstein victims’ press conference raised important questions, revealed certain facts and opened the door for even more information to come out.
The primary purpose of the press conference was to raise support for a “discharge petition” sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to force the Trump administration to disclose publicly any files and information it might have on Epstein. The victims also called on Trump to support the Courtney Wild Crime Victims’ Reform Act.
What did we learn from the victims and their attorneys? Here are four takeaways.
First, there is a list — or at least there will be. Jeffery Epstein may not have had a list of rich and powerful people who allegedly participated in, or at least knew of, his sex offenses. But attorney Bradley Edwards, who represents several Epstein victims, has compiled a list from discussions with his clients.
In addition, victim Lisa Phillips said, “We know the names. Many of us were abused by them. Now, together, survivors, we will confidentially compile the names. We all know who were regularly in Epstein world.”
Some names were mentioned. Victim Chauntae Davies says she was “taken on a trip to Africa with former President Bill Clinton and other notable figures.” And she said, “Epstein surrounded himself with the most powerful leaders of our country and the world.”
Many of those “powerful leaders” may be guilty of nothing more than hanging out with a degenerate pedophile. There will likely be legal challenges to releasing any names since at this stage there are only accusations. But at some point, we may find out more about who participated in Epstein’s sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
Second, government let the victims down. Many of the victims’ stories go back decades. Epstein was first indicted in 2006 based on allegations by a 14-year-old girl. The FBI later outlined 60 criminal counts. But in 2007, Epstein’s attorneys reached a plea bargain with the government that included brief prison time, registering as a sex offender, and paying monetary damages.
But the deal also reportedly included immunity for Epstein, four co-conspirators and “any potential co-conspirators.” Moreover, the prosecutors agreed not to tell the victims about the plea deal. According to NPR, the Department of Justice “has since acknowledged that decision reflected poor judgment.” Ya think?
Once out of jail, Epstein resumed hosting lavish parties for the rich and famous at his various homes. In 2018 the Miami Herald published a series of reports on Epstein and the plea deal. Federal agents, this time from New York, charged Epstein with sex trafficking of minors, which eventually led to his conviction and a prison sentence.
To the victims, the 2007 plea deal, the decision not to tell the victims, and immunity for co-conspirators reeks of government favoritism and cover-up, if not corruption.
Third, the rich and powerful get a pass. A recurring theme from the victims is that many rich and powerful people are being protected. Court documents were unsealed in January of last year revealing the names of many high-profile men, including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and … Donald Trump. NPR reports, “Trump told New York Magazine in 2002 that the pair also shared an affinity for beautiful women.”
Trump severed ties with Epstein apparently around 2006 or 2007 — around the time Epstein was first indicted.
And yet the only people prosecuted were Epstein, his primary enabler, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2021, and Epstein’s former household manager, for obstruction of justice. And Maxwell was recently transferred to what one of the victims referred to as a “prison spa.”
Is it really possible that so many rich and powerful men could have chummed around with Epstein and Maxwell at lavish parties that included young, attractive girls for so many years and not have suspected what was going on, or even participated?
Fourth and finally, the Epstein scandal isn’t going away. The media, which also failed the victims by not aggressively covering the story early on, are all over this issue now — perhaps because Trump is president. Rich and powerful people were involved, and some have hinted that Trump may be protecting his friends. He did when the Justice Department dropped charges against indicted New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Epstein’s victims are calling for full accountability for those who ignored, enabled or participated in Epstein’s crimes. They were careful not to accuse Trump of wrongdoing, but they do believe he could do more to facilitate their efforts. Until he does, this story will continue to haunt him.
Merrill Matthews is a co-author of “On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff.”
