Mehdi Unfiltered Why Do the Epstein Files Matter? An Expert on the Elites Explains Why
Feb 5, 2026
Edward Luce, US editor and columnist at the Financial Times, brings sharp analysis of power and privilege. He maps how the Epstein files reveal an establishment-wide network across politics, finance, academia and royalty. He explores shamelessness among elites, potential intelligence links, and why these revelations reshape public perception of a rigged system.
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Epstein As An MRI Of The Establishment
- Jeffrey Epstein's Rolodex is an "MRI of the establishment," spanning politics, finance, academia, royalty and both left and right figures.
- Edward Luce says Epstein made himself indispensable through favor-giving, revealing systemic elite interconnectedness.
Normalization Benefits Political Outsiders
- The files normalize wrongdoing by showing "everybody's as bad as everybody else," which benefits Donald Trump politically.
- Luce argues partial releases won't satisfy public demand for the remaining sealed files.
Institutional Caution Hindered Action
- The Justice Department delayed action by over-checking details and failing to move when evidence existed.
- Luce calls this a tragic old-world way of doing business that hindered timely accountability.
