Behind the Bastards

Part Three: How Jeffrey Epstein Helped Build the Modern World

103 snips
Feb 24, 2026
Guest
Andrew T.
Andrew T., a recurring conversational contributor, joins the discussion with sharp banter and contextual knowledge. They explore Epstein's fascination with crypto and his push to remold finance. The conversation traces his ties to tech and academia, his pivot into right-wing media, and his funding of race science and extremist networks.
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INSIGHT

Epstein Pitched Bitcoin As A Geopolitical Weapon

  • Jeffrey Epstein pitched Bitcoin to Vladimir Putin as a way for Russia to 'leapfrog' the West and undermine U.S. financial dominance.
  • Epstein framed crypto as a multipolar tool and urged a multi-hour meeting with Putin via Thorbjorn Jagland in 2013.
INSIGHT

Epstein's Funding Opened Doors At MIT

  • Epstein funneled at least $850,000 to MIT projects via Joi Ito and used those ties to recruit crypto researchers.
  • MIT leaders accepted and thanked Epstein for gifts even after his 2008 conviction, showing institutional tolerance for tainted donors.
INSIGHT

Relatively Small Gifts Buy Big Influence In Elites

  • Small donations from wealthy figures can buy disproportionate access and influence; Epstein's ~$600M net worth still enabled major sway.
  • Robert Evans notes how even $1M moves agendas at wealthy circles and academia.
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