The Political Scene | The New Yorker How the Epstein Conspiracy Theory Took Over Politics
34 snips
Jul 24, 2025 Jon Allsop, a contributor to The New Yorker who focuses on politics and conspiracy theories, joins Tyler Foggatt to explore the ripple effects of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal on American politics. They discuss President Trump’s handling of the Epstein files and how it has fragmented his base. The conversation delves into the Democrats' weaponization of conspiracy theories and the growing influence of conspiratorial thinking in political discourse. Allsop also highlights public dissatisfaction and the deep-seated paranoia that shapes contemporary narratives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Epstein Scandal Resists Distraction
- Trump has failed to shift the news cycle away from the Epstein scandal, unlike other topics.
- His attempts to dismiss or distract only keep the story alive, creating a feedback loop of attention.
Trump's Epstein Files Promises
- Some Trump supporters believe Epstein's jail death was suspicious, fueling conspiracy theories.
- Trump's administration initially promised to release Epstein files but offered only limited materials, disappointing many.
WSJ's Strange Epstein Birthday Note
- The Wall Street Journal revealed a bizarre Trump message in Epstein's birthday album with a naked female figure drawing.
- Trump vehemently denied authoring the message, calling it a fabrication.
