What would it take to put the swirling conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein to bed? Nothing complicated; just an authoritative, trusted voice articulating the truth about what occurred and what is or isn’t still being kept under wraps. The sort of thing that might have come from an attorney general or a president a few decades ago and offered, if not a perfect defusing, at least a credible counternarrative.
What readers are saying
Several factors beyond Donald Trump have contributed to the decline in Americans' trust in institutions. Many comments highlight the long-term political strategies, particularly by Republicans, aimed at undermining government trust, starting with figures like Ronald Reagan. The... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.By Philip Bump
- OpinionPhilip BumpIs antisemitism on campus a real thing? I answered your questions.July 15, 2025
- OpinionPhilip BumpAfter 10 years, just how large is Trump’s actual base?July 15, 2025
- OpinionPhilip Bump,James HohmannandMegan McArdleThe Epstein files: What’s Trump’s best move?July 13, 2025
- OpinionPhilip BumpTrump finds himself on the wrong side of a conspiracy theoryJuly 13, 2025
- 1Brianna TuckerandNiha MasihBarack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors in podcast episode
- 2Joel Achenbach,Shikha SubramaniamandAadit TambeThe Hubble telescope zooms in on the galaxy next door. Explore it like never before.
- 3Gaya Gupta,Caitlin Gibson,Danielle PaquetteandMaría Luisa PaúlThe children lost in the Texas floods, remembered by their loved ones
- 4Hannah Natanson,Carolyn Y. JohnsonandJoel AchenbachTrump officials halt ‘dangerous’ research, overriding NIH career scientists
- 5OpinionBeatrix LockwoodandMaya ScarpaThis job is a North American symbol. It looks different now.
NewsletterSundays
The Week in Ideas
Thought-provoking opinions you may have missed amid the news of the week.