The Epstein Files Book Club

The US first lady’s unexpected White House statement denying substantive ties to Jeffrey Epstein took everybody – including Trump – by surprise. What was behind it? The timing coincides with a series of posts from her friend and former Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, who was deported during a bitter custody fight last year and now vowing to “take down” Melania and her “pedophile husband.” This one’s a doozy, we'll explain.
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Pam Bondi is out as attorney general — and her 14-month tenure makes her the shortest timer as the nation's top lawyer since Watergate. To put it all into context, NPR’s Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson joins Elise and Jena to discuss what’s next for the so-called “Justice” Department when it comes to the Epstein-related investigations under acting AG Todd Blanche. They discuss Bondi’s biggest missteps with the Epstein files, what’s next for DOJ, and what avenues might exist for the growing chorus of Americans who don’t want the misdeeds of the billionaire class to be shoved under the rug.

Mentioned in this Episode

NPR's Carrie Johnson

NPR: Trump Removes Bondi as Attorney General

Time: Bondi Won't Appear Before House Oversight

Fox News: Todd Blanche on the Epstein Files

DOJ: Dr. Larry Nassar's abuse  investigation

Time: EPA Head Lee Zeldin as potential AG

NYMag: Judge Jeanine Pirro as potential AG

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How do conspiracy theories take hold, and what makes them endure? The myths around The Rothschild banking family have been around (and used as anti-semitic tropes) for hundreds of years, and the theories are still very much alive. Jeffrey Epstein claimed to work for the family, so Jena dives into the Rothschild family history before journalist Mike Rothschild (no relation) helps us understand fringe beliefs and sort out the actual conspiracy – from conspiracy theories.

Mentioned in this Episode

Accountant Richard Kahn testimony before House Oversight

Britannica: Where do antisemitic tropes about the Rothschild family come from?

Le Monde: Jeffrey Epstein’s business ties with banker Ariane de Rothschild revealed

NYT: From the Court Jews’ Uneasy Heyday

Stanford: Historian explores how explusions became widespread in medieval Europe

Journalist Mike Rothschild

Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories, by Mike Rothschild

Newsweek: Who are the Rothschilds, and how much are they worth today?

Snopes: Fact Check - The Rothschild Family Wealth

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The billionaires are beefing. Richest man in the world Elon Musk and LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman both appear many times in the Epstein files, but who was closer with the disgraced pedophile? Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt read all thousand-plus exchanges in the latest trove featuring exchanges with or about Elon Musk and shares the timeline of the Epstein-Elon friendship, the mystery of what changed the relationship’s tenor, and why the prevailing media take on Elon and Epstein is wrong.

Mentioned in this Episode

Amy Westervelt, investigative journalist

Reuters: Edmond de Rothschild Paris offices raided in Epstein-linked probe into diplomat

Politico: Wyden, DOJ spar over DEA investigation of Epstein

CBS: Democrats walk out of tense Bondi closed-door hearing

MSNOW: As Epstein’s longtime lawyer testifies, questions remain about what he knew

Inside Higher Ed: Students want to ‘take back’ Bard

Kate Manne’s open letter to the Bard President

The Tufts Daily: Changes on campus after revelations about the Tisch-Epstein relationship

Le Monde: French Foreign Ministry in turmoil over Fabrice Aidan

AA: Hoffman and Musk debating over who went to the island and who did not

DOJ: Dec 25, 2012: Elon says he wants to party on the island but is bringing Talulah and then Epstein says "the ratio on my island might make Talulah uncomfortable," and Elon replies "Ratio is not a problem for Talulah" 

DOJ: Elon asking asking JE to bring a girl (blacked out, so presumably a victim) for Kimball and that "she might like Elon too" 

DOJ: Epstein trying to entice Elon with "under 25" girls in NY

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Over the final decade of Epstein’s life, former A-list Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal helped him reintegrate into high society. She worked for studios with Oscar aspirations, throwing lavish parties and being an ultimate connector. But she was also working for Epstein, in a way, as he was funding her travel and keeping her close for information. Journalist Jessica Bennett, who recently profiled and spoke with Siegal, chats with Elise and Jena about what the files reveal about this relationship.

Mentioned in this Episode

Jessica Bennett, Journalist and Author

NYMag: The Grand Dame of the Epstein Files

NPR: Richard Kahn testifies he was “not aware” of Epstein crimes

LAT: Andersen Auditor Details Shredding of Enron Papers

Fortune: Epstein Bankrolled Epstein Mistresses

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