Slate Daily Feed What Next | Daily News and Analysis - He Reads the Epstein Files So You Don't Have To
Feb 4, 2026
David Enrich, deputy investigations editor at The New York Times known for large-scale investigative reporting, walks through the latest massive Epstein document dump. He discusses redaction failures and exposed images. They examine how powerful connections functioned as leverage and why many records remain unread or withheld. The conversation highlights the messy intersection of money, influence, and ongoing oversight questions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Proprietary Search Uncovers Hidden Threads
- The New York Times built specialized search tools to parse millions of Epstein documents by concept, not just keywords.
- David Enrich says these tools help surface bribery, photos, videos, and financial records buried in the mass release.
Epstein's Terse, Messy Writing Habits
- David Enrich describes Epstein's writing style as brusque, rushed, and careless with spelling and grammar.
- Enrich notes Epstein used email like a note-taking device and often wrote familiar, terse messages to close contacts.
Data Dumps Can Be A Defense Tactic
- Banks flooded investigators with records after subpoenas, which likely buried actionable leads in mountains of documents.
- Enrich suggests that overwhelming disclosure can be a deliberate litigation tactic to slow or obscure scrutiny.
