The Highwire with Del Bigtree EPSTEIN FILES REVEAL POWER BROKERS IN SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING
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Feb 28, 2026 Newly surfaced files link powerful players to influence over scientific publishing and media. Discussions trace publishing monopolies back to Robert Maxwell and explore ties between Maxwell, Epstein, and funders. The role of platforms like ResearchGate and large philanthropic grants in shaping which science gets visibility is examined. The conversation highlights concerns about concentrated control of scientific narratives.
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How Robert Maxwell Built A Publishing Monopoly
- Scientific publishing became a highly profitable, monopolistic industry under Robert Maxwell that forced universities to buy overpriced journals.
- Del Bigtree cites Maxwell's strategy of using university library budgets to captive scientists and create a self-perpetuating pay-to-publish system.
Why Owning Research Hubs Means Steering Science
- Controlling research distribution hubs lets wealthy actors shape which studies gain attention and funding, steering scientific agendas.
- Del Bigtree points to ResearchGate as an example where feed control and recommendations can prioritize certain work and incentivize hype.
Emails Show Gates Associate Hyped ResearchGate To Epstein
- Del Bigtree recounts Bill Gates' advisor Boris Nikolic investing in ResearchGate and emailing Jeffrey Epstein to hype the company's coverage.
- Nikolic told Epstein ResearchGate was making major progress and cited Nature and other outlets as validation.