The Europeans | European news, politics and culture What do the Epstein files reveal about Europe’s elite?
Feb 12, 2026
Salsabil Fayed, investigative journalist at Follow the Money who probes think-tank funding, breaks down how US tech and corporate money shapes European policy ideas. Short, sharp takes on the Epstein files’ reach into Europe’s elite. Clear calls for transparency around think tanks and why this matters now for EU regulation and democracy.
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Victims Were Re‑Exposed And Mistreated
- Survivors suffered legal and press mistreatment, and anonymous testimonies were exposed in the files.
- Publishing victims' names and contacts is illegal and retraumatising, undermining justice.
Demand Systemic Change, Not Just Name‑And‑Shame
- Face how common sexual violence is and stop normalising elite transgressions.
- Push for systemic reforms that prioritise victims and remove protections for powerful perpetrators.
U.S. And Tech Money Shapes EU Think Tanks
- Follow the Money found roughly one third of top Brussels think‑tank funding comes from the U.S. and big tech.
- That concentration risks biasing EU policy debates, especially on digital regulation.