Exploitation of the “Epstein files” to discredit the political establishment

What it claims

US political elites are portrayed as a corrupt caste concealing the truth about Jeffrey Epstein’s network for self-preservation. The manipulation uses selective focus on court documents to cast the current administration as accomplices to criminals, deepening polarization ahead of the midterms.

Target audience

Examples (paraphrased)

We paraphrase rather than quote: propaganda's exact wording is built to spread, so we carry the claim and not the craft. Each example cites the post it came from.

• The Biden administration is deliberately blocking the release of the full Epstein client lists to protect influential Democratic donors.

  John Kiriakou, 23 Jul 2026

  x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2080288773942743336

• Only a radical change of power in 2026 will allow the truth to be revealed about the pedophile network that the “deep state” has been hiding for years.

  John Kiriakou, 23 Jul 2026

  x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2080288773942743336

We link archived copies rather than the posts themselves, so that checking our work sends no traffic to the source. Where a platform cannot be archived, we print the post's address instead of linking it.

Goal

To erode trust in federal institutions and demoralize voters by suggesting both parties are fundamentally corrupt.

Techniques used

• DoubtUsing the term “MAJOR Pivot” to create the impression that the White House is intentionally hiding information that others are willing to reveal.
• Loaded LanguageAppealing to the “Epstein files” as universal proof of an elite conspiracy.

The real grievance it exploits

The manipulation taps into genuine American anger over the slow pace of high-profile investigations and the perception that the wealthy and powerful are above the law.

How to counter

• Technique exposure: Notice how high-profile court cases are used to create political hype: manipulators promise “sensational revelations” just before elections to mobilize voters through anger.
• Prebunk: Ahead of the 2026 elections, expect new “leaked” documents or lists to appear, presented as evidence of opponents' involvement in the Epstein network without proper verification.

Sources (all time)

• John KiriakouTier 2211,007 followers
  1 post · 23 Jul 2026

  • 23 Jul · x.com/JohnKiriakou/status/2080288773942743336
• Michael FlynnTier 32,284,371 followers
  1 post · 14 Aug 2026

  • 14 Aug · x.com/GenFlynn/status/2088246022090690678
• Kirill DmitrievTier 1142,895 followers
  2 posts · 18–19 Aug 2026

  • 19 Aug · x.com/kadmitriev/status/2089979279106813984
  • 18 Aug · x.com/kadmitriev/status/2089806444279341418