Today, Explained Conspiracy theory nation
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Feb 26, 2026 
Jesse Walker, author and cultural historian who studies American conspiracy culture. He discusses how the Epstein files revived Pizzagate talk. He explains why mundane explanations often fit alleged codes. He critiques media amplification and traces how conspiratorial thinking has shaped U.S. politics and social divides.
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Food Mentions Fueled Pizzagate Resurgence
- The Epstein Files revived Pizzagate by highlighting repeated food references that conspiracy communities treat as code words.
- Dan Brooks and Jesse Walker point to nearly 900 mentions of "pizza" and unusual motifs like "grape soda" in Epstein's records that fuel speculation.
Simple Explanation Beats Code Word Theory
- The most plausible explanation for repeated pizza and grape soda mentions is mundane: Epstein and his urologist simply used those items as recurring private jokes or habits.
- Jesse Walker highlights a text exchange about refilling a prescription followed by "let's go get pizza and grape soda," suggesting ordinary context over code.
Niche Racism Shapes Interpretation Of Jokes
- Obscure racial stereotypes can shape how private jokes read publicly, making grape soda references seem sinister to outsiders.
- Walker labels this "niche racism," noting the African-American judge emoji paired with "grape soda" frames the motif racially.
