The Daily Beast Podcast Why Epstein Is Trump’s Defining Crime: Rothkopf
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Mar 2, 2026 
David Rothkopf, journalist and former Clinton administration official known for probing power networks, offers a brisk tour of the Epstein files. He connects Epstein to global elites, intelligence entanglements, missing evidence, and how privilege shields wrongdoing. The conversation traces trafficking mechanics, reputational fallout, and why this scandal reverberates through politics and inequality.
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Epstein As The Signature Crisis
- The Epstein scandal connects corruption, inequality, intelligence operations, and elite impunity across politics and business.
- David Rothkopf argues it’s the signature crisis of our time because it ties the president, foreign services, and the wealthy into one network.
Epstein As An Intelligence Honey Trap
- Intelligence services treat Epstein's circles as honey traps to gain access and leverage over elites.
- Rothkopf says Epstein's parties and contacts created prime opportunities for foreign services to collect kompromat and influence.
Beverly Wilshire Message For Candy
- David Rothkopf recounts receiving a hotel room message for a sex worker called Candy at the Beverly Wilshire.
- The story illustrates how transactional services for guests were normalized even at elite hotels.