The News Agents How did Epstein make his money?
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Feb 20, 2026 
Anand Giridharadas, journalist and author who writes about money, power, and culture, explores the rise of the so‑called Epstein class. He maps a global elite network that enabled impunity. He traces how Epstein entered high finance, examines alleged schemes around client funds and control, and discusses how social rituals and power trading kept the system intact.
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A Networked Elite, Not Isolated Misfits
- The 'Epstein class' is a global, networked elite whose loyalty is to each other rather than to places or publics.
- That network's operating system enabled impunity and shaped policies affecting ordinary people's lives.
Globalization Amplified Elite Solidarity
- The Epstein files belong to a high-watermark of globalization and show ongoing elite behaviour, not a bygone era.
- Global mobility and real-time networks intensified elite solidarity and the reach of their influence.
Enablement Circles Made Crimes Sustainable
- You cannot explain Epstein's longevity without accounting for concentric circles of enablement around the core crimes.
- Survivors and investigators stress the power structure that made abuse sustainable, not only individual perpetrators.