Jeffery Epstein, the Gift that Keeps on Giving
- Rex Ballard
- 11 hours ago
- 7 min read
The Long List of Elites Ensnared in the Scandal
Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose web of influence ensnared some of the world's most powerful figures, continues to haunt the elite long after his death in 2019. The recent release of millions of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act—signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2025—has unleashed a torrent of revelations, leading to arrests, resignations, and widespread public humiliation. This legislation mandated the Department of Justice to disclose all unclassified records related to Epstein's investigations, culminating in the publication of over 3.5 million pages, including thousands of videos and images, by January 30, 2026. What was intended as a push for transparency has instead become a catalyst for accountability, exposing connections that many hoped would remain buried.
The fallout has been swift and severe, with high-profile figures facing arrests, resignations, and public scrutiny. Below is a breakdown of key individuals affected, starting with the most prominent arrest and progressing to other notable cases:
Prince Andrew (former royal, United Kingdom): Arrested by Thames Valley Police on February 16, 2026—his birthday—on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following fresh details from the Epstein files about his relationship with the disgraced financier. This followed his stripping of all royal titles in October 2025 amid renewed scrutiny, during which police raided royal residences, adding to the public humiliation.
Lord Peter Mandelson (British political figure, United Kingdom): Resigned from the Labour Party on February 2, 2026, and from the House of Lords the following day, after the files revealed payments and leaked secrets he allegedly provided to Epstein.
Kathryn Ruemmler (Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Goldman Sachs, former White House counsel, United States): Announced her resignation on February 12, 2026, effective June 30, 2026, after documents revealed extensive emails and communications with Epstein from 2014 to 2019, where she referred to him as "Uncle Jeffrey" or an "older brother," advised him on media strategies, and accepted luxury gifts. She has expressed regret over her association and sympathy for his victims.
Brad Karp (Chairman of Paul, Weiss law firm, United States): Stepped down on February 4, 2026, citing distractions from his exchanges with Epstein, including dinners, lavish gifts, and professional favors.
Thomas Pritzker (Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, United States): Resigned on February 16, 2026, acknowledging past contact with Epstein and citing poor judgment.
Larry Summers (Former Treasury Secretary, United States): Took a leave from Harvard University and resigned from OpenAI's board following revelations of his ties to Epstein.
Bill Gates (Microsoft co-founder, United States): Faced significant public humiliation, with documents amplifying reports of his multiple meetings with Epstein despite warnings from associates. Gates has expressed deep regret, calling his involvement "foolish" and denying any illegal activities or island visits. Still, the scrutiny contributed to his 2021 divorce from Melinda Gates, who cited Epstein ties as a factor and described Epstein as "evil personified." The files suggest Epstein used compromising information to manipulate or extort him, including knowledge of Gates' extramarital affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova around 2010; Epstein paid for her coding school tuition and emailed Gates in 2017 demanding reimbursement in a tone implying exposure of the affair. Additional emails claim Gates contracted an STD from encounters with Russian women, which he has denied as "completely false."
Howard Lutnick (U.S. Commerce Secretary and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, United States): Mentioned 223 times in the files, revealing numerous interactions, including 2018 emails, a 2012 family visit to Epstein's private island for lunch, a $50,000 donation from Epstein, and joint business ventures. Despite bipartisan calls for resignation from lawmakers like Rep. Valerie Foushee, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Rep. Thomas Massie, Lutnick has downplayed his relationship with Epstein, claiming he "barely had anything to do" with Epstein, and remains in his position with White House support.
Miroslav Lajčák (National Security Adviser, Slovakia): Resigned on January 31, 2026, after emails showed exchanges with Epstein about women and diplomacy.
Mona Juul (Former Ambassador, Norway): Resigned over the weekend of February 11, 2026, after reports revealed Epstein left $10 million to her children in his will.
Thorbjørn Jagland (Former Prime Minister, Norway): Faces charges of aggravated corruption related to his ties to Epstein.
Reports indicate that at least 17 elites have faced punishments ranging from resignations and ridicule to criminal investigations. The documents have also spotlighted figures like President Donald Trump, whose name appears multiple times in flight logs and other records, prompting intense media scrutiny and public debate. Other notable mentions include Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, and Richard Branson, who have fueled calls for further accountability.
The releases have not been without controversy. Critics, including Epstein survivors and members of Congress, have slammed the Department of Justice for inconsistent redactions, arguing that key names and details were protected unjustly. This has led to broader international fallout, with European markets reacting to the scandal's spread among elites, causing shocks in the UK gilt market. The sheer volume of material—over 3 million pages in the latest tranche alone—has overwhelmed analysts, but it has undeniably shifted public perception, turning Epstein's legacy into a symbol of unchecked power and its inevitable reckoning.
As more details emerge, Epstein's story proves that even in death, his influence persists, forcing society to confront the dark underbelly of privilege. The "gift" of these documents keeps giving—not closure, but chaos for those once thought untouchable.
Sources:
Epstein Files Transparency Act and Document Releases (2025-2026)
Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act – U.S. Department of Justice (Jan 30, 2026)
H.R.4405 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Epstein Files Transparency Act – U.S. Congress (Signed Nov 19, 2025)
Congressional Bill H.R. 4405 Signed into Law – The White House (Nov 19, 2025)
A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make the government's files public – PBS NewsHour (Ongoing updates through 2026)
January 30, 2026 — DOJ releases millions of pages of documents in Epstein investigation – CNN (Jan 30, 2026)
Kathryn Ruemmler and Goldman Sachs Resignation
Kathryn Ruemmler: Top Goldman Sachs lawyer who called Epstein 'Uncle Jeffrey' resigns – BBC News (Feb 13, 2026)
Goldman Sachs's Top Lawyer to Step Down Following Latest Epstein Documents – The Wall Street Journal (Feb 12, 2026)
Goldman Sachs' top lawyer Kathy Ruemmler to resign after emails show close ties to Jeffrey Epstein – PBS NewsHour (Feb 13, 2026)
Top lawyer at Goldman Sachs resigns after revelation of Epstein relationship – The Guardian (Feb 12, 2026)
Goldman Sachs General Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler Resigns Over Epstein Ties – The New York Times (Feb 12, 2026)
Bill Gates and Epstein Ties/Extortion
Jeffrey Epstein allegedly tried to extort Bill Gates over extramarital affair – The Guardian (May 21, 2023; updated context in 2026 files)
Bill Gates Accused of Twisted Plot to Drug Wife After Sex with 'Girls' – Yahoo News (Jan 30, 2026)
“I had to leave my marriage”: Melinda French Gates hints at Bill Gates' link to Jeffrey Epstein as the reason for her divorce – The Times of India (Feb 5, 2026)
Jeffrey Epstein Blackmailed Bill Gates, Threatened to Expose Billionaire’s Alleged Affair – YouTube (May 2023; referenced in 2026 coverage)
Howard Lutnick and Epstein Ties
White House Shrugs Off Lutnick's Epstein Ties – The New York Times (Feb 17, 2026)
Ranking Member Foushee Calls for Resignation of Secretary Lutnick for Relationship to Epstein – U.S. House of Representatives (Feb 14, 2026)
Howard Lutnick's Epstein ties raise concerns on Wall Street but not in the White House – CNN (Feb 15, 2026)
After Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick Admits to Visiting Jeffrey Epstein's Island in 2012, Rosen Calls for His Resignation – U.S. Senate (Feb 10, 2026)
Under-fire Trump commerce secretary confirms he visited Epstein's island – BBC News (Feb 11, 2026)
Prince Andrew Arrest and Epstein Ties
Live Updates: Former Prince Andrew Is Released After Being Arrested Amid Epstein Revelations – The New York Times (Feb 19, 2026)
Live updates: Former Prince Andrew 'released under investigation' after arrest by British police – NBC News (Feb 19, 2026)
A timeline of former Prince Andrew's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, from the Virginia Giuffre lawsuit to his 2026 arrest – Business Insider (Feb 19, 2026)
Former Prince Andrew arrested and held for hours on suspicion of misconduct over ties to Epstein – Associated Press (Feb 19, 2026)
Lord Peter Mandelson and Epstein Ties
Relationship of Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein – Wikipedia (Ongoing updates)
The Jeffrey Epstein Files Are Peter Mandelson's Final Disgrace – The New Yorker (Feb 15, 2026)
The Ties That Bound a Fixture of British Politics to Jeffrey Epstein – The New York Times (Feb 10, 2026)
British politician Peter Mandelson quits House of Lords, could face police investigation over Epstein ties – PBS NewsHour (Feb 3, 2026)
Brad Karp and Paul Weiss Resignation
A Law Firm Chair Resigned After Epstein Revelations. Here's the Reality. – Politico (Feb 11, 2026)
Chairman of prominent law firm Paul Weiss resigns after release of emails linking him to Epstein – PBS NewsHour (Feb 6, 2026)
5 Takeaways From Brad Karp's Emails With Jeffrey Epstein – Original Jurisdiction (Feb 2026)
Brad Karp steps down as chairman of major law firm Paul Weiss after Epstein files release – BBC News (Feb 5, 2026)
Thomas Pritzker and Hyatt Resignation
Thomas Pritzker steps down from Hyatt board, saying he deeply regrets association with Epstein – PBS NewsHour (Feb 17, 2026)
Hyatt Hotels Executive Chairman Thomas Pritzker resigns over Epstein ties: 'I deeply regret... my association' – Fox Business (Feb 17, 2026)
Hyatt chair Thomas Pritzker steps down over Epstein links – The Guardian (Feb 17, 2026)
Thomas Pritzker, Named in Epstein Files, Retires as Hyatt Executive Chairman – The Wall Street Journal (Feb 16, 2026)
Larry Summers Resignations and Epstein Ties
Larry Summers steps down from public commitments after emails show friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein – PBS NewsHour (Nov 18, 2025)
Larry Summers receives lifetime ban from prestigious economic association over Epstein ties – CNN (Dec 2, 2025)
Ex-Harvard president Larry Summers stops teaching as university investigates Epstein emails – BBC News (Nov 19, 2025)
Larry Summers leaving positions at Harvard and OpenAI after Epstein emails – Reuters (Nov 19, 2025)
Miroslav Lajčák Resignation
Slovakia PM's national security adviser resigns over Epstein links – BBC News (Feb 1, 2026)
Slovak adviser who resigned over Epstein texts says he feels like a 'fool' – Politico (Feb 3, 2026)
"...And Most Importantly, Friend": Jeffrey Epstein's Encounters with Miroslav Lajčák – VSquare (Feb 17, 2026)
Slovak ex-minister and Fico adviser who quit over Epstein messages 'feels like a fool' – Euronews (Feb 3, 2026)
Mona Juul Resignation
Norway police investigate diplomat over Jeffrey Epstein links – BBC News (Feb 9, 2026)
Norwegian ambassador resigns amid scrutiny over her contacts with Epstein – PBS NewsHour (Feb 9, 2026)
Norwegian diplomat steps down over Epstein ties, in widening scandal – Reuters (Feb 9, 2026)
Mona Juul Steps Down as Ambassador – Norwegian Government (Feb 9, 2026)
Thorbjørn Jagland Charges
Norway's former PM Jagland charged with gross corruption over Epstein links – BBC News (Feb 11, 2026)
Former Norway leader charged with corruption after probe into alleged Epstein ties, lawyers say – CNN (Feb 13, 2026)
The Mutually Beneficial Ties Between Jeffrey Epstein and 'Mr. Human Rights' – The New York Times (Feb 13, 2026)
Police raid former Norwegian premier's homes because of Epstein links – Anadolu Agency (Feb 11, 2026)








