Epstein files newly released further expose capitalist misogyny

On January 30, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)  released another 3 million documents concerning the wealthy finance capitalist and convicted sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein. 

If anyone hoped this latest release would bring the victims/survivors of Epstein’s torture even an inch closer to justice, they were extremely disappointed. On the contrary. According to Brad Edwards, an attorney for the survivors: “We are getting constant calls from victims because their names — despite them never coming forward, being completely unknown to the public — have all just been released for public consumption. It’s literally thousands of mistakes.”

Jennifer Freeman, another attorney for the survivors, stated that the “handling of the Epstein files has been a mess from the start, filled with … ham-fisted redactions, while exposing the identities of survivors.” The redactions are of names of possible alleged perpetrators!

A group of 20 survivors spoke up, saying in a joint statement: “As survivors, we should never be the ones named, scrutinized and re-traumatized while Epstein’s enablers continue to benefit from secrecy. Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous.” (Theguardian.com, Feb. 1)

The files were released over a month after the legal deadline of Dec. 19, 2025, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act — passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump. Moreover, while the Act calls for the release of all of the Epstein files, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that some 3 million pages of additional files would be withheld.

Survivors spoke the truth!

The survivors are right that the DOJ’s handling of the files is “outrageous.” But this is just one example of the systemic misogyny and patriarchal oppression under capitalism. The working-class and oppressed women, girls and gender-oppressed people who Epstein abused for years continue to be denied justice. The numerous rich and powerful men who Epstein enabled or who enabled Epstein still face no punishment.

While the names of many of these misogynistic criminals were redacted (blocked out or deleted), the latest files reveal Epstein’s connections with numerous ruling class figures. Those named include banking and corporate executives, current and former elected officials and members of several royal families. Some are familiar names: Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon and Larry Summers. 

Many of those not exposed as sexual abusers themselves knowingly exchanged financial favors with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution and in the time leading up to his 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges. Epstein died in his cell before being tried.

The financial corruption had a negative impact on the working class:  a Detroit city workers’ pension fund was reportedly defrauded through a transaction with Epstein.

How do these wealthy men get away with it?

Sigrid McCawley, a partner with Boies Schiller Flexner, a firm representing survivors, said, “It is without question that a significant piece of Epstein and [his convicted associate Ghislaine] Maxwell’s vast sex-trafficking operation was to provide young women and girls to other wealthy and powerful individuals.” (theguardian.com, Feb. 1)

How do so many wealthy and powerful men get away with such horrific and clearly illegal abuse?

It’s what happens to working-class and oppressed women, girls and gender-oppressed people in class society.

The beginnings of the patriarchy can be traced to the introduction of private property, as explained by Friedrich Engels in “The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State.” In systems of class exploitation, ruling-class men view the women and girls of the exploited classes as their property. This was true in earlier systems of enslavement and feudalism and certainly during the enslavement of Africans in the U.S. and in much of the Western Hemisphere. The capitalists were vastly enriched by enslavement.

This misogynistic exploitation still exists under capitalism. How many working-class women over the years have had to sleep with their boss just to keep their jobs?

Justice for survivors will happen, but only when the working class unites to put an end to all exploitation and oppression.