Anand, the Epstein class doesn't need beliefs because they have everything. The only threats to them are natural disasters, health issues, and the prospect of prosecution, and so far they've managed to buy their way out of two of those. In other words, they don't need to think. That's certainly not the way I want to live. I don't envy them at all. But I do get your advice that the rest of us should pull together. I'm happy to as long as we can all respect each other.
I really want us to focus on overarching interests more, but democracy doesn’t seem to matter much to many people—it may not even be an interest. We can approach it from the economic angle (affordability?), because egregious inequality destroys democracy and also hurts a lot of people’s personal finances. Like you, I don’t want to bracket my beliefs-- that every human matters and should have a voice and ample opportunities to thrive, that corruption should be fought against with all our political power, that a healthy environment is critical for us to thrive. I have to disagree, however, that the Epstein class has everything. It is precisely because they are so empty that they need someone like Epstein to tantalize them and provide them with new meanings to fill the gaping hole.
Yes, you're right. I should have expressed myself differently. They are certainly missing all that matters in life, at least from my point of view. Soulless.
Our constitution and the resulting government has never been about democracy. Our founding fathers eschewed its populist tendencies. They did so because populism does not provide the kind of stability and continuity of leadership to sustain capital investment. In a manner of speaking, our political system and government provide insulating layers between the plutocrats and people. So long as we continue to tilt at the windmill of politics for change, the plutocrats are unbothered, untouched, and happy.
Democracy has become a feel-good catch-word, that keeps our attention focused on fixing our politics because we think it is bestowed on us by our government. Accordingly, I understand why many people are disenchanted with the loosely defined, bastardized concept of democracy being foisted on us. It serves the purpose of the plutocrats for the same reason our founders eschewed it—it is a tumultuous, messy, uncertain way to govern so does not provide the kind of certainty demanded by the investment community.
IMHO, democracy, is at its core, about equality. If self-governance is its mechanism of rule, then the rulers and ruled are one and the same—equal. It is the ongoing lack of equality—financial, political, personal—that people dislike, not democracy. After 238 years of republicanism, maybe it's time to try it.
Definitely. I'm glad you mentioned David Sirota. I think his Master Class podcast especially about the Powell Memo comes into play here. The machinations behind the scenes in the 1970's greased the skids for Epstein, et al.
I'm not going to let go of this issue, so don't any of you reading, either. I'm actually in the studio recording a new song called, "Blow the Whistle."
I'm sick of the patriarchy ruining everything. Why not a matriarchy? I've watched too many shows about Elephants to believe men running everything is the way to go.
How many people reading can commit to spending 1% more of their day (roughly 9 minutes) to change the system? What would that look like? Open to suggestions.
There is a second lesson from Epstein for all political figures-Epstein’s "success" stemmed from cultivating bipartisan ties, creating a social shield that neutralized oversight through elite, cross-party mutual protection.
Masterfully written, once again. Chillingly insightful.
Seeing 'the solidarity of patriarchy' in print, made me physically ill.
I keep remembering the 'rupture' (Anat S-O? talked about, necessary for real change), or as you more gently referred to, as the 'on-ramp to change', and agree we'd all better get our sh*t together, no matter our locations on that ramp.
I heard today that Mamdani was riding a bicycle in Manhattan and someone yelled "COMMUNIST !!" at him. He gave his illuminating smile and yelled back, "NO, CYCLIST!"
We will need solidarity to break the (rank) ranks of the Epstein class, and like birds on a wire, make room for each other. You are so right.
I have been following your writing on the Epstein class and find it stunning and overwhelming. A world I can't understand. I recently read Noah Hawley's piece in The Atlantic, "What I Learned About Billionaires At Jeff Bezos' Private Retreat." He brought some things into focus with his personal experience, particularly the refrain, "Why am I here?". He and other guests were just a collection of things for Bezos to populate his world with. And this passage struck me, too.
"When you can buy your way out of any mistake, when you can fire anyone who disagrees with you, when your social circle consists entirely of people who need something from you, the basic mechanism by which humans learn that other people are real goes dark."
Noah Hawley was just one in one of Bezos' collections. People that rich don't have relationships. They just collect people the way Epstein collected professors, artists, princes, etc.
One lesson from Epstein. To distinguish himself and ensure sustained success, Momdani should embrace rigorous self-examination and institutionalize dissent within his administration and future campaigns.(Trump is only the recent example). The Epstein case highlights the danger of insulated echo chambers where political figures lack accountability. By actively seeking critics and empowering advisors to say "no," he can proactively address potential vulnerabilities—personal or political—before they become liabilities. Cultivating a culture of transparency and radical honesty will separate his leadership from the traditional politics, building deeper public trust.
Thank you, Anand for this important piece. It ain’t over! There is more muckraking ongoing by independent and extremely talented and tenacious journalists. The “Epstine Furor” saga investigation continues as well it must until all lessons are learned, necessary changes made, and the victims receive justice.
No one should be a billionaire. I say that as much as I can out loud and, in all groups when politics come up. It makes me nervous when I speak it. I believe it is my patriotic duty to say it loud and clear. When I stand out at a protest, I hold signs that say, "Trump and family make billions while we pay more" or "People over billionaires" or "Billionaires are the real "illegals"
It seems to me we have been hoodwinked to admire the ultra-wealthy. I admire a friend's daughter who works the night shift at a homeless shelter. She's a real hero. I don't know how we can put a stop to this noxious idealization of the ultra-wealthy. It needs to be called out loud and clear. Trump says if you repeat it often enough people will believe it.
Interesting analysis, but I think it flattens the subject.
In fact, the Epstein class does have inviolate beliefs, you just have to look for them. They are the ties than bind them all together, until they don't. Some would say it is about power. I think it is more about money actually, but that can be argued. It is never in the realm or the more esoteric --justice, fairness, health of the planet because to "believe" in or pursue these aims compromises their true driving interests. And, when these driving interests are jeopardized (as with Trump's FL property deal boxing out Epstein) then, and only then is the bond is broken.
The corollary for those on the outside of the circle isn't quite fair, though I do take your point that the rest of us need to find areas of common cause. For the rest of us, the question becomes what does in fact bind us together. I think where you see the fractures among progressives, you will find that an inviolate belief has been breached on a level more psychologically profound than simply the advantage of money or power.
For example, for some Jews it may be that they cannot co-exist in a tent with people who cannot support Israel. For them, the bond, the inviolate belief is an existential question, not simply a question of advantage. I am not Jewish, but I can fully understand that. I think this notion can be extrapolated out to explain a fair amount of the "clashing of beliefs" among progressives. Not all, but enough to make a difference. To my mind, it is actually a clashing of mattering, being taken account of as an individual. So.... the work of building coalitions is deeper, harder and takes more equanimity than the simple transaction that is traded and discarded among the Epstein class members.
It's a fair bet that most of the Epstein class don't even like one another. Unlike the now largely defunct WASP aristocracy of old money, these people are united only by their very recent acquisition of new money (lots of it) and prominence. They belong to this new class because they have no class - or at least the sort that used to be defined by the phrase "to the manner born." As arrivistes in the power elite, they are too raw to take delight in one another's company. Their only common currency is favors: you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Epstein was the ringmaster of this racket with a Rolodex available to anyone with the right amount of clout and the right degree of greed. All you had to do was ask.
For sure, a lot going on in the world - lots of chaos. It's hard to know where to focus....
For the moment, Epstein Files have lost our attention. But I have felt and continue to feel that the Epstein Files are to Trump what Watergate was to Nixon with both episodes having cover ups. And Watergate went on for years even after it started to capture people's attention. (Now you could reasonably argue that the Epstein Files have occurred over even a longer time, but I think they have only captured mainstream attention. within the last few years.). It took two years to bring down Nixon and a roughly similar period of time for accomplices to go to trial and get convicted.
Perhaps wishful thinking on my part, but I think there is a lot more to come in 2026/28 when the Democrats (hopefully) come to power. In an emerging post-Trump world, I don't know how Trump may pardon people on the way out the door, I don't know what's going to happen with the DOJ, and I don't know who may choose to turn on Trump to save their own skin. Despite all the uncertainty, I'm still optimistic on accountability for Trump when it comes to Epstein. Stay tuned...
Beautiful, Anand. And thoroughly true and researched. What we need to realize is that it’s not red vs. blue, it’s oligarchs vs. literally everybody else. As you said, they stick together in their secretive cabal. If only the right wing could see that. They seem to want the Epstein class to have impunity. Like they deserve to have impunity. It’s twisted. I sure love your writing and your impeccable research. You are a national treasure.
Thank you to Anand Giridharadas, for the insights so well described here. In a certain sense, there is a common thread that runs through all of it: it is all about how we define groups. And a huge part of this is within us, our self-identification.
I'm sorry to repeat myself, but they are all collective conceptions of what constitutes "us". Those on the "list" - i.e. that one sent to Bannon - are just one example out of of many: as in Augusta, as in MAGA, as in the DNC, the KKK, Lakewood Church, AIPAC, the Proud Boys, the Night Wolves.
And I agree, the key is for the people in our country, the majority of us, to consciously come together in a way that is centered on the common needs and aspirations, one centered on economic and social justice for all, irrespective of other ways that we might define ourselves.
As with the Heritage Foundations and Project 2025, the Epstein class did a very good job of coming together for the advance of their interests.
What is necessary, as you put so well, is realizing our own common situation, and overcoming the cultivated divisions, virus of rage, opiate of tribalism and catharsis of fury, to do the work of clawing back the financial elite's hold on the institutions of power. I think that it will not come easily. They have been a long time in gaining this hold. I think that it will likely take a generation, and require the awareness of the greater part of that generation to work together toward that end.
But there does some to be some increasing awareness. That much is encouraging.
Anand, the Epstein class doesn't need beliefs because they have everything. The only threats to them are natural disasters, health issues, and the prospect of prosecution, and so far they've managed to buy their way out of two of those. In other words, they don't need to think. That's certainly not the way I want to live. I don't envy them at all. But I do get your advice that the rest of us should pull together. I'm happy to as long as we can all respect each other.
I really want us to focus on overarching interests more, but democracy doesn’t seem to matter much to many people—it may not even be an interest. We can approach it from the economic angle (affordability?), because egregious inequality destroys democracy and also hurts a lot of people’s personal finances. Like you, I don’t want to bracket my beliefs-- that every human matters and should have a voice and ample opportunities to thrive, that corruption should be fought against with all our political power, that a healthy environment is critical for us to thrive. I have to disagree, however, that the Epstein class has everything. It is precisely because they are so empty that they need someone like Epstein to tantalize them and provide them with new meanings to fill the gaping hole.
Yes, you're right. I should have expressed myself differently. They are certainly missing all that matters in life, at least from my point of view. Soulless.
Our constitution and the resulting government has never been about democracy. Our founding fathers eschewed its populist tendencies. They did so because populism does not provide the kind of stability and continuity of leadership to sustain capital investment. In a manner of speaking, our political system and government provide insulating layers between the plutocrats and people. So long as we continue to tilt at the windmill of politics for change, the plutocrats are unbothered, untouched, and happy.
Democracy has become a feel-good catch-word, that keeps our attention focused on fixing our politics because we think it is bestowed on us by our government. Accordingly, I understand why many people are disenchanted with the loosely defined, bastardized concept of democracy being foisted on us. It serves the purpose of the plutocrats for the same reason our founders eschewed it—it is a tumultuous, messy, uncertain way to govern so does not provide the kind of certainty demanded by the investment community.
IMHO, democracy, is at its core, about equality. If self-governance is its mechanism of rule, then the rulers and ruled are one and the same—equal. It is the ongoing lack of equality—financial, political, personal—that people dislike, not democracy. After 238 years of republicanism, maybe it's time to try it.
Definitely. I'm glad you mentioned David Sirota. I think his Master Class podcast especially about the Powell Memo comes into play here. The machinations behind the scenes in the 1970's greased the skids for Epstein, et al.
I'm not going to let go of this issue, so don't any of you reading, either. I'm actually in the studio recording a new song called, "Blow the Whistle."
I'm sick of the patriarchy ruining everything. Why not a matriarchy? I've watched too many shows about Elephants to believe men running everything is the way to go.
How many people reading can commit to spending 1% more of their day (roughly 9 minutes) to change the system? What would that look like? Open to suggestions.
There is a second lesson from Epstein for all political figures-Epstein’s "success" stemmed from cultivating bipartisan ties, creating a social shield that neutralized oversight through elite, cross-party mutual protection.
Masterfully written, once again. Chillingly insightful.
Seeing 'the solidarity of patriarchy' in print, made me physically ill.
I keep remembering the 'rupture' (Anat S-O? talked about, necessary for real change), or as you more gently referred to, as the 'on-ramp to change', and agree we'd all better get our sh*t together, no matter our locations on that ramp.
I heard today that Mamdani was riding a bicycle in Manhattan and someone yelled "COMMUNIST !!" at him. He gave his illuminating smile and yelled back, "NO, CYCLIST!"
We will need solidarity to break the (rank) ranks of the Epstein class, and like birds on a wire, make room for each other. You are so right.
I have been following your writing on the Epstein class and find it stunning and overwhelming. A world I can't understand. I recently read Noah Hawley's piece in The Atlantic, "What I Learned About Billionaires At Jeff Bezos' Private Retreat." He brought some things into focus with his personal experience, particularly the refrain, "Why am I here?". He and other guests were just a collection of things for Bezos to populate his world with. And this passage struck me, too.
"When you can buy your way out of any mistake, when you can fire anyone who disagrees with you, when your social circle consists entirely of people who need something from you, the basic mechanism by which humans learn that other people are real goes dark."
Noah Hawley was just one in one of Bezos' collections. People that rich don't have relationships. They just collect people the way Epstein collected professors, artists, princes, etc.
One lesson from Epstein. To distinguish himself and ensure sustained success, Momdani should embrace rigorous self-examination and institutionalize dissent within his administration and future campaigns.(Trump is only the recent example). The Epstein case highlights the danger of insulated echo chambers where political figures lack accountability. By actively seeking critics and empowering advisors to say "no," he can proactively address potential vulnerabilities—personal or political—before they become liabilities. Cultivating a culture of transparency and radical honesty will separate his leadership from the traditional politics, building deeper public trust.
Thank you, Anand for this important piece. It ain’t over! There is more muckraking ongoing by independent and extremely talented and tenacious journalists. The “Epstine Furor” saga investigation continues as well it must until all lessons are learned, necessary changes made, and the victims receive justice.
Please don't end the series. Write at least a couple more of these essays. They have been uniformly fantastic.
No one should be a billionaire. I say that as much as I can out loud and, in all groups when politics come up. It makes me nervous when I speak it. I believe it is my patriotic duty to say it loud and clear. When I stand out at a protest, I hold signs that say, "Trump and family make billions while we pay more" or "People over billionaires" or "Billionaires are the real "illegals"
It seems to me we have been hoodwinked to admire the ultra-wealthy. I admire a friend's daughter who works the night shift at a homeless shelter. She's a real hero. I don't know how we can put a stop to this noxious idealization of the ultra-wealthy. It needs to be called out loud and clear. Trump says if you repeat it often enough people will believe it.
Interesting analysis, but I think it flattens the subject.
In fact, the Epstein class does have inviolate beliefs, you just have to look for them. They are the ties than bind them all together, until they don't. Some would say it is about power. I think it is more about money actually, but that can be argued. It is never in the realm or the more esoteric --justice, fairness, health of the planet because to "believe" in or pursue these aims compromises their true driving interests. And, when these driving interests are jeopardized (as with Trump's FL property deal boxing out Epstein) then, and only then is the bond is broken.
The corollary for those on the outside of the circle isn't quite fair, though I do take your point that the rest of us need to find areas of common cause. For the rest of us, the question becomes what does in fact bind us together. I think where you see the fractures among progressives, you will find that an inviolate belief has been breached on a level more psychologically profound than simply the advantage of money or power.
For example, for some Jews it may be that they cannot co-exist in a tent with people who cannot support Israel. For them, the bond, the inviolate belief is an existential question, not simply a question of advantage. I am not Jewish, but I can fully understand that. I think this notion can be extrapolated out to explain a fair amount of the "clashing of beliefs" among progressives. Not all, but enough to make a difference. To my mind, it is actually a clashing of mattering, being taken account of as an individual. So.... the work of building coalitions is deeper, harder and takes more equanimity than the simple transaction that is traded and discarded among the Epstein class members.
It's a fair bet that most of the Epstein class don't even like one another. Unlike the now largely defunct WASP aristocracy of old money, these people are united only by their very recent acquisition of new money (lots of it) and prominence. They belong to this new class because they have no class - or at least the sort that used to be defined by the phrase "to the manner born." As arrivistes in the power elite, they are too raw to take delight in one another's company. Their only common currency is favors: you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Epstein was the ringmaster of this racket with a Rolodex available to anyone with the right amount of clout and the right degree of greed. All you had to do was ask.
For sure, a lot going on in the world - lots of chaos. It's hard to know where to focus....
For the moment, Epstein Files have lost our attention. But I have felt and continue to feel that the Epstein Files are to Trump what Watergate was to Nixon with both episodes having cover ups. And Watergate went on for years even after it started to capture people's attention. (Now you could reasonably argue that the Epstein Files have occurred over even a longer time, but I think they have only captured mainstream attention. within the last few years.). It took two years to bring down Nixon and a roughly similar period of time for accomplices to go to trial and get convicted.
Perhaps wishful thinking on my part, but I think there is a lot more to come in 2026/28 when the Democrats (hopefully) come to power. In an emerging post-Trump world, I don't know how Trump may pardon people on the way out the door, I don't know what's going to happen with the DOJ, and I don't know who may choose to turn on Trump to save their own skin. Despite all the uncertainty, I'm still optimistic on accountability for Trump when it comes to Epstein. Stay tuned...
The good rules that come from our higher selves. when missing. destroy us. Will the many learn? Anand, you are a blessing to us.
"It is an approach less interested in the dividing lines of identity and more interested in the binding agents of solidarity and shared hardship."
My goodness do you have a way with words.
Beautiful, Anand. And thoroughly true and researched. What we need to realize is that it’s not red vs. blue, it’s oligarchs vs. literally everybody else. As you said, they stick together in their secretive cabal. If only the right wing could see that. They seem to want the Epstein class to have impunity. Like they deserve to have impunity. It’s twisted. I sure love your writing and your impeccable research. You are a national treasure.
Thank you to Anand Giridharadas, for the insights so well described here. In a certain sense, there is a common thread that runs through all of it: it is all about how we define groups. And a huge part of this is within us, our self-identification.
I'm sorry to repeat myself, but they are all collective conceptions of what constitutes "us". Those on the "list" - i.e. that one sent to Bannon - are just one example out of of many: as in Augusta, as in MAGA, as in the DNC, the KKK, Lakewood Church, AIPAC, the Proud Boys, the Night Wolves.
And I agree, the key is for the people in our country, the majority of us, to consciously come together in a way that is centered on the common needs and aspirations, one centered on economic and social justice for all, irrespective of other ways that we might define ourselves.
As with the Heritage Foundations and Project 2025, the Epstein class did a very good job of coming together for the advance of their interests.
What is necessary, as you put so well, is realizing our own common situation, and overcoming the cultivated divisions, virus of rage, opiate of tribalism and catharsis of fury, to do the work of clawing back the financial elite's hold on the institutions of power. I think that it will not come easily. They have been a long time in gaining this hold. I think that it will likely take a generation, and require the awareness of the greater part of that generation to work together toward that end.
But there does some to be some increasing awareness. That much is encouraging.