# Does Epstein matter politics-wise? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 5, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403 "2026-02-05T19:58:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/1 "2026-02-05T19:58:53Z")
Is it a good issue for Democrats to use? Will the reveal of all of the infamous files be as damaging as hoped? Or will people shrug their shoulders a year from now and be more worried about their grocery bill or ICE? I’m in this camp-it’s horrific and justice should be served on the guilty parties, but in a larger sense, it doesn’t really change the day-to-day issues. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/2 "2026-02-05T20:33:55Z")
If it can be shown trump was a major player, that’s potentially a huge political issue. If the files have been redacted enough so he’s invisible in them, then it’s not obvious how the files play out in traditional R vs D politics nor in the near future Fascist/Trumpist vs D politics. Prosecuting tycoons behaving badly isn’t really a vote winner no matter which party is championing the prosecutions. If the roster of child rapers includes lots of either R or D politicians that would be used by both sides to beat the others. I will suggest that since the R party has had huge turnover of older pols for new angry firebrands, the Ds probably have more old school pols at greater risk. Even if the overall numbers of R & D pols partying w Epstein was the same. E.g. If Al Gore is implicated, that changes nothing. If Gavin Newsome is, that changes everything. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/3 "2026-02-05T23:23:50Z")
I don’t think it makes much of a difference. Even Trump supporters had to admit to themselves there was a reason he fought tooth and nail against their release. They don’t care so long as Trump keeps hurting the right people. And I don’t think this will sway many people one way or the other. If you were inclined to vote GOP despite Trump then I doubt this will change your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/4 "2026-02-05T23:33:23Z")
We’ve known since before his first election that Trump was a sexual predator. It’s never hurt him. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/5 "2026-02-05T23:47:36Z")
It matters that the DOJ has redacted communications from perpetrators along with victims. Who are these people that the DOJ is protecting and hiding from the public? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/6 "2026-02-28T14:46:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > We’ve known since before his first election that Trump was a sexual predator. It’s never hurt him. We need to face it. They LIKE that about him. Makes him a manly man. They also want to get away with all crime like he does. They adore him. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/7 "2026-02-28T15:33:48Z")
Yes, but taking down the people associated with him sends a message. They are not so protective of his friends and minions. Pence got the message, we might not be so lucky next time. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-matter-politics-wise/1027403/8 "2026-02-28T15:37:03Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Yes, but taking down the people associated with him sends a message. They are not so protective of his friends and minions. Yup. The GOP has a fleet of GreyHound busses. Oddly, none have rearview mirrors.