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.
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 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."
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.
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.
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.
Yesterday I chatted with an activist at a table of 5. They eventually defined their identity as trans with ADHD. I responded, "Awe, stop Bragging will ya?" We all shared a laugh of recognition. It was cleansing and meaningful. Solidarity Forever.
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...
Great stuff! One quibble: I think the other 99% not only share interests but actually share beliefs. (I hate the term 'values', which always suggests money, as does 'interests'.) We even share beliefs about the very things that are being used to divide us. 'Abortion' is really a smokescreen to prevent us from sharing common beliefs in family, sex with love, and children. The Right does not hate women and the Left does not hate babies, but these are the squirrels we chase, while families fall apart from fentanyl and lack of affordable childcare and poor funding of education.
The problem, Anand, is that beliefs are often driven by religion. Religion breeds tribalism, division and even infighting. The Epstein class only has 1 "belief" and that is power and, of course, the wealth that accompanies it. So they will have each other's backs becasue they share their one and only belief. For the rest, religion rules and there is no way to align religions. History has proven that.
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.
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.
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.
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 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."
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.
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.
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.
Thank you - really interesting summary
Would recommend Timothy Snyders post today
Yesterday I chatted with an activist at a table of 5. They eventually defined their identity as trans with ADHD. I responded, "Awe, stop Bragging will ya?" We all shared a laugh of recognition. It was cleansing and meaningful. Solidarity Forever.
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...
Great stuff! One quibble: I think the other 99% not only share interests but actually share beliefs. (I hate the term 'values', which always suggests money, as does 'interests'.) We even share beliefs about the very things that are being used to divide us. 'Abortion' is really a smokescreen to prevent us from sharing common beliefs in family, sex with love, and children. The Right does not hate women and the Left does not hate babies, but these are the squirrels we chase, while families fall apart from fentanyl and lack of affordable childcare and poor funding of education.
The problem, Anand, is that beliefs are often driven by religion. Religion breeds tribalism, division and even infighting. The Epstein class only has 1 "belief" and that is power and, of course, the wealth that accompanies it. So they will have each other's backs becasue they share their one and only belief. For the rest, religion rules and there is no way to align religions. History has proven that.
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.
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.