The 'Epstein Class' Term Gains Political Traction Amid Justice Department Criticism
As documents connected to disgraced financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein gradually become public, critics of the Justice Department's approach to the case are intensifying their scrutiny. They particularly highlight what they perceive as excessive redactions that shield powerful individuals rather than protect victims. This criticism has given rise to a potent new term in political discourse: "the Epstein class."
Political Figures Embrace the Term
Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, delivered a speech on February 7th where he explicitly used the phrase. "We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It is the wealthiest Cabinet ever," Ossoff declared. "This is the Epstein class." He elaborated further, stating, "They are the elites they pretend to hate. If you're Steve Bannon... how do you sell any of this? Trump was supposed to fight for the working class. Instead, he's literally closing rural clinics and hospitals to cut taxes for George Soros and Elon Musk."
Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, was among the early political adopters of the term. In a statement to HuffPost, Khanna explained his motivation. "I began using it to challenge the 'elite' — and largely unaccountable — wealthy individuals who, I believe, think they can play by a different set of rules," he said. "Americans are sick of elite impunity. There cannot be two tiers of justice, where wealthy men who abused young girls are protected while survivors are silenced. That is what the effort to release the Epstein files has been about, and why I started calling it the 'Epstein class.'"
Khanna emphasized the need for continued pressure, noting his appearances on media across the political spectrum to keep the issue alive. He advocates for congressional action, suggesting the formation of a committee to subpoena individuals who communicated with Epstein regarding the abuse of minors.
The Linguistic Power of Naming
Josephine Lukito, a professor of digital communication at the University of Southern Denmark who specializes in political language, analyzed the term's emergence. "Every time the Epstein case comes up, I feel like [the term 'Epstein class'] reemerges more and more," Lukito observed. She noted its "meme-like" and catchy quality, which helps it resonate with the public when discussing the case.
Lukito drew parallels with other impactful phrases like "Me Too" and "Black Lives Matter," highlighting that short, adjective-noun combinations often gain traction in American political discourse. "I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it brings people together," she commented, "but it certainly resonates with a lot of people and can help motivate a movement."
Wealth, Power, and Bipartisan Frustration
Discussing class in the United States can be complex and loaded, but Lukito believes this is part of the term's strength. "Historically, we talk about the ruling class, the wealthy class, the bourgeoisie class — and so, a lot of times when we do talk about class, it's a really quick indicator for wealth," she explained. "I think that really speaks to the uniqueness of the Epstein case in particular."
Lukito pointed out that while the U.S. has witnessed numerous abuse cases, the Epstein scandal is uniquely defined by the immense wealth of those involved. "They kind of vary by partisanship and by profession, but a lot of the Epstein case itself is really surrounded by an egregious amount of wealth and the ability to use that wealth to exploit children," she stated.
The term also serves to break through American resistance to class discussions by directly linking wealth and power. "It's not just critiquing power, but, like, wealth and power: economic power," Lukito added. She connected this to broader public sentiment, noting, "A lot of Americans, especially given economic disparity right now, they have a lot of anger and frustration towards the wealthy and the ruling class. The Epstein case certainly is an encapsulation of that."
"Americans recognize that wealth is bipartisan, and wealth contributes to abuse. And 'Epstein class' encapsulates a lot of that," Lukito concluded, highlighting the term's ability to capture widespread frustration.
Measuring the Term's Impact and Future
Lukito, who has extensively studied political catchphrases, finds the trajectory of "Epstein class" distinctive. Unlike many terms that gain momentum through hashtag activism on platforms like Twitter, this one is appearing more frequently in video comments across various social media sites. "I would say that Epstein class as a term is more in the nascent stage," she noted. "I haven't necessarily seen it used as a specific hashtag."
A key indicator of a term's staying power, according to Lukito, is its ability to cross multiple platforms and communities. The longevity of the Epstein news story itself will likely influence the term's fate. "I think when catchphrases are really powerful, it's because there's a sort of staying power when it comes to the news story that's being covered," she said. "Certainly, this is not going to be even the last time we hear about the Epstein case."
Lukito predicts that the term will resurface with each new development in the case. The endorsement by political figures like Ossoff and Khanna could be crucial for its broader adoption. "I think when we see that sort of adoption, especially by larger public figures, those are all signs that a term like 'Epstein class' is gaining momentum," she asserted.
The ongoing release of Epstein-related documents ensures that discussions about accountability, wealth, and justice will remain at the forefront of public and political debate, with "the Epstein class" serving as a potent shorthand for these complex issues.
