What the Epstein Files Tell Us about the Right Wing

When people show you who they are, believe them

(Source: Piqsels)

Let’s go beyond the schadenfreude of watching MAGA having a conniption over Pam Bondi covering up the Epstein files. Instead of having a watch party hoping to see some kind of anti-Trump revolt, and breathlessly keeping score of every statement made by people about Epstein, Bondi, and Trump like its some kind of sick sports game, let’s dig a little deeper.

What’s behind all of this, beyond the reality that Epstein was, in fact, a sexual predator? Why does the reactionary right wing care about this affair? What led to this situation of open antagonism among right-wingers over whether or not to release the information about Epstein?

I ask because the Epstein files affair shows how the right wing is how I’ve been describing them for years. Understanding what the right wing is and why they do what they do helps us defend ourselves — because the right wing isn’t gunning for Epstein, they’re gunning for us.

The Right Wing Depends on Conspiracy Theories

The Epstein files is a conspiracy theory. The conspiracy theory isn’t about Epstein and what he did; its allegation is that there is a cover-up of the investigation into his criminal activities. The MAGA…