The Epstein network and the far right in Europe

In the case of criminal Jeffrey Epstein and his global abuse network, the US Department of Justice has been slowly releasing files and emails, most recently a dataset of more than three million pages in early February. The Guardian provides a quick overview of the individuals and clues contained in the new data in these 10 key takeaways.

There has been widespread criticism of the Trump administration's Department of Justice's handling of the data, particularly from victims and survivors of the investment banker, who died in prison in August 2019. Representatives of victims and survivors pointed out that the individuals and alleged perpetrators mentioned in the documents could play the “deny and distance card,” which has already happened. The files also contain unredacted data and photos of victims of organized abuse and sexualized violence against minors, which they demanded be removed immediately.

In addition, many criticized that this form of publication of the files would by no means lead to any legal proceedings in the near future, such as new charges against perpetrators or accomplices.

Problematic practise with files

Incidentally, there are clear parallels here with experiences from the investigation into the NSU complex: the unfiltered release of large quantities of files or parts of files to the public rarely leads to the desired effect of putting more pressure on those involved in the crimes or to further charges. Due to their sheer size and the amount of data they contain—which is quickly accepted as fact simply because it appears in official documents—they tend to push the voices of witnesses to the events, who have been underrepresented from the outset, into the background. And no matter how much data is published, it is always only a fraction of the entire reality that can be depicted, and its selection (by the Trump Justice Department) and current media presence permanently shapes public perception.

This is exactly what is happening with the Epstein Files, which contain many references to Epstein's connections to the far right. These were particularly pronounced in relation to Steve Bannon, the mastermind behind Trump's policies and former White House advisor. Bannon made particular use of his relationship with Epstein in 2018 and 2019, i.e., in the period after his dismissal from the White House and before Epstein's death. Politico summarizes the political collaboration between Bannon and Epstein in detail. Quote: “When Epstein helped coordinate other travel for Bannon, the two joked that Epstein was working as Bannon's assistant and the ‘most highly paid travel agent in history.’”

Bannon, Fico, Le Pen, Salvini, Orbán, Farage - who is next?

Epstein's contacts with Musk, who had recently distanced himself from Epstein on several occasions, are also documented. But the Epstein case is also reaching the far right on other, less noticed levels. Slovakian security advisor and right-hand man to Prime Minister Robert Fico, Miroslav Lajcák, resigned on January 31 after his direct contacts with Epstein were revealed in documents in which Lajcák asked to be invited to meetings with “the girls.” The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera points out that Lajcák is also the “Miro” mentioned by Epstein and Bannon in early 2019 in connection with support and financing for the European far right. Bannon wrote to Epstein in March 2019 that he was currently focusing on raising funds for Le Pen and Salvini so that both could have complete electoral lists.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is also mentioned in this context. During his trip to Europe in 2018, Bannon also visited Budapest, where he presumably spoke out against the regulation of cryptocurrency, as Epstein had requested. More on the Hungarian contacts at valaszonline.hu.

The current star of the British far right, Nigel Farage, appears in the Epstein files due to his contacts with Bannon, as does one of the financiers and current treasurer of Farage's Reform Party, Nick Candy. DER SPIEGEL reported at the time on the trip to Europe, where Bannon also met with German AfD member Petr Bystron.

But even internationally unknown individuals such as Canadian Jean-François Gariépy from Quebec received Epstein money as early as 2013 so that he could operate his online channel, as reported by Le Devoir. Gariépy now produces videos and works with well-known figures from the alt-right such as Nick Fuentes and Richard Spencer. In an interview, Gariépy emphasizes that his mention in the Epstein files gives him “street credibility” and that he is “very proud to be involved.”

The collaboration between Epstein and Bannon takes on new significance with the information revealed in the files, but it comes as no surprise. Epstein appears increasingly clearly—similar to Musk, Thiel, and many others today—as a lobbyist who is buying his way into the new right-wing parties and the entire movement in order to assert the wishes of the tech and investment banking elites. They all—right-wing parties and Epstein's network—share the ideological cornerstones of the entire global right: opposition to “woke globalism” and its international institutions, opposition to “climate hysteria,” opposition to immigrants, opposition to feminism.

Redaction: Ulli Jentsch