Bulwark Takes The Epstein Story Is Bigger Than the Elites
Dec 14, 2025
Tim Miller, a political commentator and co-founder of The Bulwark, dives deep into the layers of the Epstein scandal. He discusses how Epstein's influence extends beyond elites, exposing a cultural failure of moral integrity. Highlighting social pressures, he reflects on how compromising values affects everyone, not just the powerful. Miller notes signs of cracks within Trump's support base while emphasizing a wider moral erosion in society since the pandemic, showing that the willingness to rationalize wrongdoing permeates all levels of culture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Cultural Failure To Say No
- The Epstein case exposes a cultural rot where people avoid drawing moral lines when benefits accrue to them or their tribe.
- Tim Miller argues this failing is widespread beyond elites and helps explain why many tolerated corrupt figures.
Different Kinds Of Corruption
- The corruption around Epstein and the corruption around Trump are distinct, rooted in different motives and structures.
- Miller stresses we shouldn't collapse all elite wrongdoing into a single bipartisan conspiracy narrative.
How Epstein Bought Access
- Tim Miller describes how Epstein bought access with money, favors, and opportunities to pull powerful people into his circle.
- He connects that dynamic to everyday compromises where people accept free stuff or advancement at ethical cost.
