Europe confronts Epstein shame amid muted U.S. reckoning
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Printed documents available at the DOJ's Epstein Library in Krakow, Poland, on Feb 6. Photo: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The avalanche of Epstein files released by the Justice Department has buried high-ranking European government officials with ties to the convicted sex offender in shame.
- In the U.S., some powerful people have faced public scrutiny — but have so far avoided professional consequences for their dealings with the late financier.
The big picture: The fallout from the release of the Epstein files has become a stress test for accountability among Western elites and their governments — and has exposed a stark contrast between how the U.S. and its allies approach reputational blows.
Case in point: Downing Street is racking up empty desks after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's director of communications and chief of staff departed amid a firestorm over Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed as U.K. ambassador to the U.S. due to his Epstein links.
- Earlier this month, London's Metropolitan Police announced an investigation into a former government minister over alleged misconduct tied to the Epstein files.
- British police are also assessing claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — who has been stripped of his royal titles — passed trade visit reports to Epstein, multiple outlets reported.
- The reckoning has rippled through Norway as well: A former prime minister is under investigation, an ambassador resigned and the crown princess has apologized for her friendship with Epstein.
Friction point: The outcry in allied nations has derailed top government careers — and is threatening to tank Starmer, a man who never even met Epstein. But in the U.S., officials and some wealthy figures remain largely unscathed.
- Despite Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's dealings with Epstein, the government is brushing off the controversy. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of the lawmakers leading the push for Epstein transparency, called on him to resign.
- A Commerce spokesperson told Axios Lutnick had "very limited interactions with" Epstein after they met in 2005 and that "[t]his is nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration's accomplishments."
- White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Axios in a statement that "The entire Trump administration, including Secretary Lutnick and the Department of Commerce, remains focused on delivering for the American people."
Lutnick is one of several prominent Trump-world figures — including Elon Musk, Steve Bannon and the president himself — to appear in the documents, though the powerful Epstein network sprawls far past the president's circle.
- Other tech moguls — including Sergey Brin and Bill Gates — also appear. Gates denied any wrongdoing in a recent interview and apologized.
- Last year, the House voted against censuring Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.) over her texts with Epstein. She remains a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and has denied wrongdoing.
- Goldman Sachs has supported its general counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, who the files showed frequently corresponded with Epstein, The Wall Street Journal reports.
- Goldman Sachs and Plaskett's office did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
State of play: Trump has shrugged off big names in Epstein's orbit and suggested it's time to move on.
- He's also expressed sympathy for former President Bill Clinton, who appeared frequently in the files, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The pair have agreed to testify about Epstein.
- "It's a shame to be honest. I always liked him," Trump said of the former president.
Worth noting: Some leaders in corporate America and academia haven't escaped repercussions.
- Brad Karp, chairman of elite law firm Paul Weiss, resigned after his emails with Epstein surfaced.
- Longevity expert and celebrity doctor Peter Attia apologized and stepped down from his post as chief science officer of David Protein after his crude humor appeared in the latest batch of files. His future at CBS News remains in limbo, The Wrap reported.
- Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has also retreated from public roles.
What we're watching: U.S. lawmakers want more answers — and are set to view unredacted versions of the files Monday.
- But while the reckoning from the files is a five-alarm fire on Downing Street, their release has yet to trigger the same level of public panic on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Go deeper: Ghislaine Maxwell pleads Fifth Amendment at congressional deposition
Editor's note: This story was updated with a response from a White House spokesperson.
