# Why is Epstein the scandal that has stuck, and why now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [July 29, 2025, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460 "2025-07-29T11:47:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/181 "2025-09-08T23:54:13Z")
Confine your news sources to only right-wing outlets for a month (no. Don’t _really_ do this). After that month, see what you end up believing. With MAGAs, it’s what they _don’t know_ that allows them to _be_ MAGAs. “We” tend to know _everything_ that they know. They, OTOH, tend to know a fraction of what we know. Willful ignorance. Aggressive incuriosity. Remarkable tribalism. _“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”_ –MLK ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/182 "2025-09-09T01:09:23Z")
Yes, I agree. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![Xocomil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xocomil/32/14927_2.png) [@Xocomil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xocomil)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/183 "2025-09-09T01:17:54Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I wonder what he has on Johnson. > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > They just need _some_ way to perpetuate the charade – if only for one more day – that they weren’t used by one of the US’s most notorious con men. I think we have to maybe start considering that Trump is getting them some of that White Christian nationalism they’ve been pining for. For that reason they’ll never abandon him. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/184 "2025-09-09T02:05:22Z")
I wouldn’t disagree with that even a bit. But I think both things can be, and are, true. Trump’s demagoguery has enthralled a handful of rather distinct cohorts, _none_ of whom seem inclined to ask questions, challenge assumptions, or go against their own deeply-entrenched confirmation bias. And that’s at least as true for the white Christian nationalists as for any other cohort. Put another way …. > [@The argument that Trump will do whatever he wants and no one can stop him is really fucking boring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/1023): > > Trump, MAGA, and the current incarnation of the Republican party have it so much easier than the modern-day political left does. We question, we challenge, we argue, we have protracted and nuanced debates. We’re cynical, fractured, skeptical, logical, intellectually curious, and have a keen grasp of no end of relevant history to provide critical context. The MAGA world just signs up, lines up, joins up, shuts up, suits up, and ammo’s up behind their Dear Leader. Demagoguery 101. It hasn’t b… ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/185 "2025-09-09T04:06:32Z")
That signature is… strategically placed. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/186 "2025-09-09T04:42:05Z")
The drawing is not a grown woman. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/187 "2025-09-09T06:08:52Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > The denials are flying fast and furious now I am certain it is fake. The reasoning? Donald Trump has no sense of humour, and that letter is funny, in a dark/distastful humour way. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/188 "2025-09-09T14:31:02Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The drawing is not a grown woman. True, it’s hard to see reason for an erotic image to not be completely statuesque…unless you know something. One of the Epstein Jane Does that competed in Miss Teen USA 1998 says that she started having sex with Epstein at 14 years old. The youngest contestant in 1998 was 16, so this would have been at least 1996 and more likely 1995/1994. Said contestant was introduced to Trump by Epstein at 14 years old and, presumably, that’s how she got into the pageant. Epstein’s business was, of course, finances and he had no reason to be hanging out with a random 14 year old. Maria Farmer, the woman who first reported Epstein to the police in 1996, was at his place with her 15 year old sister. Wisteria tried to get into the sister’s bed in the middle of the night and Maxwell is reported to have massaged her chest, to try and get her into the mood. Trump’s seven airplane flights with Epstein were between 1993 and 1997. Farmer had seen Trump at Epstein’s offices around the same time and “Farmer said she overheard Trump commenting that he thought she was 16 years old.” [(Cite - Guardian, unchallenged by Trump lawyers)](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/21/jeffrey-epstein-maria-farmer-trump) Maxwell tried to claim, in her recent interview, that Epstein only began his activities after 2000, when Trump was no longer sociable with him. That does not match the accounts from at least two separate victims, one of whom should be on official government records in 1996. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/189 "2025-09-09T14:59:44Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > Donald Trump has no sense of humour, and that letter is funny, in a dark/distastful humour way. Between the oddly stilted language and the word “enigmas,” I’m waiting for someone to figure out that reading every twelfth letter in reverse order spells out “DJT IS A PEDO.” ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/190 "2025-09-09T16:16:58Z")
Trump seems to be using all kinds of distractions right now. Blowing up ships, etc. I fear he will continue to do this, and no telling what he will do next to get the news cycle to drop Epstein(a “war” on an entire blue state??). No one seems to be able to stop him. That said, I, for one, don’t think he is running the govt. He is just signing off on stuff. As for Epstein, I heard some days ago that one of the Supreme Court Justices was on the list. Cannot recall who, maybe Kavanaugh. No damn wonder they keep giving Trump wins from the Court. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/191 "2025-09-09T16:36:22Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Between the oddly stilted language and the word “enigmas,”… I’ve read speculation about the meaning behind that word. > [@](#): > > One chilling possibility: the word “enigma” is an anagram of “gamine”, a French word referring to a slight, sometimes childish young girl. Given Epstein’s history of sexually abusing minors, the linguistic coincidence is difficult to ignore. > **[MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/enigmas-never-age-was-trumps-alleged-note-to-epstein-hiding-an-anagram-for-gamines/ar-AA1IRRth?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1)** Apparently “gamine” is referenced in the book _Lolita_ to describe the title character. Epstein’s private plane was nicknamed the “Lolita Express” ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/192 "2025-09-09T16:41:10Z")
I mean, I’d probably pay more attention to witness testimony that Trump had apparent knowledge of Epstein’s interests, than using Escape Room riddle logic paired to Russian/American literary trivia, as evidence of the matter…but y’all do as you will. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/193 "2025-09-09T16:43:01Z")
I find the speculation about the enigma anagram to be a little weird. Like, even just looking at the word “enigma” in the contexts of “enigmas never age” it definitely looks like some sort of code word. You don’t need to make it sound like a qanon conspiracy theory search for secret meaning, it’s pretty obvious what it already means. People are sort of selling this like “we cracked the code!” but you don’t even really need to find a double hidden meaning here – the first hidden meaning is immediately apparent. I think this enigma=gamine stuff actually makes this less impactful because it sounds more like a conspiracy theory. I mean the guy wrote his best friend, a known sex trafficker, about wonderful secrets within a drawing of a naked little girl for fucks sake. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/194 "2025-09-09T16:46:20Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Wisteria tried to get into the sister’s bed That should, obviously, be “Epstein”. I guess the W and E are near each other on the keyboard (+ autocomplete). ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/195 "2025-09-09T16:53:04Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I find the speculation about the enigma anagram to be a little weird. I’m not saying I endorse that interpretation, just passing it along. But, as I see it, the word “enigma” does read as if it has a mutual understood meaning between these two. Whether it’s a reference to themselves - “we’re enigmas, because we stay forever young!” or to the women they like, it sounds to me like it’s a word they’ve used before. But, ultimately, I agree that the larger message in the note seems obvious: these men enjoyed the use of women. And described it in terms of a “secret”. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/196 "2025-09-09T16:59:47Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > But, ultimately, I agree that the larger message in the note seems obvious: these men enjoyed the use of women. Girls, not women. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/197 "2025-09-09T17:06:07Z")
Sure, I didn’t mean to target you specifically. I’m actually mostly referring to reddit comments where people fixated on discussing the enigma=gamine thing. It may be true but it’s a distraction, what’s there is damning enough without trying to find secret anagram double meanings. I think the focus on enigma=gamine actually reduces the impact because the general public will associate that sort of meaning-hunting with conspiracy theorists. The real focus should be on the drawing of the girl’s body, and all the “our little secret” wording. I feel like Trump could release a memo that says “I raped children all the time, also I took a trip to Tallahassee” and people would be like “omg, what could be in Tallahassee! that’s probably some sort of secret code!” ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/198 "2025-09-09T17:08:10Z")
My take on the whole book, not just the stuff Trump sent, is that it’s all pretty tasteless at best and actually disgusting at worst. That said, I think the parts of the Internet that are going “enigma is really an anagram for a French word” or making a big deal of the specifics of the drawing are being somewhat counterproductive and I’m already tired of hearing them. For the first, does anyone really think Trump has ever been that clever, and for the second, I’m not sure making a big deal about exactly he drew two breasts in a somewhat abstract form is all that convincing in a man who has no real known artistic skills to begin with. In other words, I think both make the speaker sound much like a conspiracy theorist, looking for meaning that doesn’t actually exist. The weird poem is bad enough on its own. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/199 "2025-09-09T17:18:22Z")
The drawing is relevant in that 1) it makes it more obvious what the “secret” is, and 2) most men who can’t draw who want to make a sexy doodle of a woman will exaggerate the breast size, so the fact that he didn’t adds to the suggestion that he’s not trying to draw a sexy shape of an adult woman. But like… we don’t have to go hunting deep for secret meaning here. It’s intended to be a sexy doodle of a woman or girl with references to our little secret sent to a guy who was one of the world’s most famous/powerful/prolific sex traffickers. It’s plenty damning as-is. Also, if engima=gamine is indeed a thing, obviously Trump didn’t think of it. He’s way too stupid for that. That would be a Ghislane thing (being French) and they just told Trump the code word. It doesn’t even matter if engima=gamine. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460/200 "2025-09-09T17:28:15Z")
I think the Epstein stuff _is_ the distraction. Does anyone really think this is going to take down Trump? I mean really? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-epstein-the-scandal-that-has-stuck-and-why-now/1021460.md?page=11)