News that the letter allegedly sent by the late Jeffrey Epstein to convicted sex offender Larry Nasser was a fake was as rapid as the letter itself. The same day the letter came to light, it was revealed to be fraudulent, containing an inaccurate zip-code and coming from a state where Epstein was not being held. (Epstein died in custody by suicide in 2019.)
The letter (which makes mention of Donald Trump) seemed immediately to be a hoax. Epstein had not yet been convicted. He was in custody awaiting the outcome of his case. He was smart enough not to send an incriminating letter (which makes reference to Epstein’s and Nasser’s mutual and insatiable hunger for sexual conquest). And if a letter was sent to Nasser, how did the authorities get hold of it? That wasn’t explained when the story broke.
Alas, there is no story. Or is there? My guess is that the fraudulent letter was not sent by a party intent on incriminating Trump. More likely, the letter was (and is) intended to be exculpatory. Think about it. If one letter is revealed as a hoax, it enables Trump allies to declare all correspondence to be a hoax.
That’s only a theory on my part. And it doesn’t really matter. Despite Trump insisting Epstein was the friend of the Democrats (including Bill Clinton), the evidence is irrefutable that he and Epstein were close. Mass redaction in the Epstein file can’t excuse Trump from this friendship or the mutual interests and tastes of Trump and Epstein.
By no means is my purpose to let Clinton off the hook. He hasn’t been placed on Epstein’s warped island (despite Trump’s assertion that Clinton was there on 24 occasions). But Clinton has been revealed to have been a friend of Epstein. His attempt to wash his hands of Epstein is reminiscent of his infamous proclamation that he “did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
Regarding the sordid Epstein case, my skepticism concerns Ghislaine Maxwell, the girlfriend of Epstein who was convicted of being Epstein’s accomplice in arranging sexual exploits with underage girls. That she has been transferred to a low security prison has people up in arms, along with hints that she will be the recipient of a Trump pardon.
My suggested defense of Ms. Maxwell might get me into trouble with my fellow Trump critics. But isn’t it possible that Maxwell is somewhat of a victim? Has it occurred to anyone that she was manipulated by Epstein? If she was at once Epstein’s girlfriend and his partner in his recruitment of underage girls, there must have been a power Epstein had been wielding over Maxwell. The public demanding more blood from Maxwell would do well to temper its punitive urge lest this same public resemble something more like a mob.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is fond to note that the Epstein files had been in the hands of the Biden Justice Department long before the Trump Justice Department had possession. No doubt, that’s ironic and maybe hypocritical. But that’s not the point. The point is to bring to light the truth behind this disgusting story no matter how embarrassing the facts.
Donald Trump can blame the press and the Democrats all he wants. But this personal crisis with which he is saddled is the result of a high profile and hedonistic lifestyle he adopted long ago. Owning beauty pageants, attending Victoria’s Secret shows, and/or getting caught on the Access Hollywood tape reveals Trump as immature, betraying an identity unbecoming a president.
Such behavior is not at all conclusive of Trump’s guilt in the Epstein affair. Indeed, his guilt is doubtful. But this whole matter isn’t a hoax or a plot against Trump. It must ultimately dawn on Donald Trump that he is his own worst enemy.
John O’Neill is an Allen Park freelance writer and a graduate of Wayne State University.
