{"id":2569908,"date":"2026-02-14T06:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T11:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-test-epstein-class-attack-on-trump-allies\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T06:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T11:55:06","slug":"democrats-test-epstein-class-attack-on-trump-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-test-epstein-class-attack-on-trump-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats test &#8216;Epstein class&#8217; attack on Trump allies"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-test-epstein-class-attack-on-trump-allies%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2569908&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democrats are promoting a narrative that President Trump\u2019s Cabinet adn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-considering-mika-brzezinskis-brother-for-ambassadorship-nyt\/\" title=\"Biden Considering Mika Brzezinski\u2019s Brother For Ambassadorship: NYT\">wealthy allies<\/a> constitute an \u201cEpstein class,\u201d using the Epstein files to frame the elite as immune from accountability and to channel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/failure-of-a-fascist\/\" title=\"Failure of a Fascist\">anti-elite<\/a> anger at the establishment. The argument, voiced by figures like sen. Jon ossoff at a rally, centers on a two<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bill-barr-if-youre-appalled-about-unequal-justice-get-joe-biden-out-of-office\/\" title=\"Bill Barr: If You\u2019re Appalled About Unequal ..., Get Joe Biden Out Of Office\">-tier justice system<\/a> and positions trump\u2019s inner circle as the very elites voters were told to oppose.<\/p>\n<p>The strategy relies on the Epstein documents,which connect a wide network of powerful people across politics,business,and media\u2014names that include Bill Clinton,Howard Lutnick,Steve Bannon,Reid Hoffman,and Casey Wasserman. Democrats argue these connections demonstrate how elites are scrutinized differently, while Republicans warn the line could distract from everyday concerns and fail to move voters in the near term.<\/p>\n<p>Cross-party reach complicates the effort: Epstein\u2019s social and donor networks span Democrats and Republicans, making the narrative harder to weaponize cleanly but also fueling broader distrust of elites. Democrats push for further disclosures and accountability, while some strategists caution that the message\u2019s effectiveness will depend on future revelations and how it\u2019s framed.<\/p>\n<p>the episode highlights how anti-elite sentiment has become a contested political asset, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on it to rally voters, and Republicans skeptical about its impact on the midterm or 2026 electoral dynamics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democrats test &lsquo;Epstein class&rsquo; attack line against Trump&rsquo;s orbit<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2503344\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a> are experimenting with a new message casting <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">President Donald Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s Cabinet and wealthy allies as the &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\">Epstein class<\/a>,&rdquo; an attempt to channel anti-elite anger and recast the president&rsquo;s inner circle as the very establishment he once ran against.<\/p>\n<p>The phrase has quickly spread among Democratic lawmakers, with Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) amplifying it <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hzQY53_hpWw\">at a rally <\/a>on Feb. 7 in Atlanta as his reelection campaign ramps up. Ossoff is one of the most vulnerable Democrats on the 2026 map, defending a seat in a state Trump carried in 2024.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4458067\/liability-foil-trump-susan-collins-reelection-maine\/\">Liability or useful foil? Trump takes center stage in Susan Collins reelection fight<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4457705\/trump-pushes-michael-whatley-north-carolina-senate-fort-bragg\/\">Trump pushes Michael Whatley&#8217;s North Carolina Senate bid during Fort Bragg troop visit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4455990\/aoc-dodges-2028-munich-security-conference\/\">AOC dodges on 2028 White House run at Munich Security Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;This is the Epstein class, ruling our country,&rdquo; Ossoff said. &ldquo;They are the elites they pretend to hate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He added, &ldquo;We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. Do you remember that? But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Democrats&rsquo; argument hinges on the political symbolism of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/live-blog\/bondi-house-hearing-epstein-files-justice-department-live-updates\/\">Epstein files<\/a>, a sprawling set of court records and investigative materials that map Jeffrey Epstein&rsquo;s relationships with wealthy and powerful figures across politics, business, and media.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks during &ldquo;Rally for Our Republic with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff&rdquo; at the Georgia International Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in College Park, Ga. (Hyosub Shin\/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Several figures connected to Trump appear in those records, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, former strategist Steve Bannon, and political ally Elon Musk. There is no evidence in the materials showing criminal wrongdoing by them or by Trump.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Democrats are leaning into the files rhetorically, arguing they represent a two-tiered justice system that shields elites from accountability.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), a progressive lawmaker widely credited with helping introduce the phrase, pressed that argument on the House floor this week while accusing the FBI of improperly redacting records tied to the late convicted sex offender.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Who are they protecting?&rdquo; Khanna said. &ldquo;Why are they protecting these rich and powerful men, people I call part of the Epstein class? Why are we in a country where there is no elite accountability for people who do the most heinous things?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) have pushed the Justice Department to release additional unredacted material after reviewing Epstein documents. Khanna framed the controversy as larger than one criminal case, arguing it speaks to whether powerful figures face the same scrutiny as ordinary citizens.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about the 1,200 survivors,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s about two tiers of justice in America.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Other Democrats have described the unfolding disclosures in sweeping terms. Speaking at a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >press conference alongside survivors<\/a> on Wednesday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said, &ldquo;The earth is shaking because every single one of them now is becoming known &hellip; and here in America that needs to happen too, and until it does, we are here to say we will not stop.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cross-party-risk\">Cross-party risk<\/h2>\n<p>The strategy carries political risk for Democrats because Epstein&rsquo;s social and donor network spanned both parties, ensnaring figures tied to Democratic politics as well as Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>Former President Bill Clinton, a central figure in the party&rsquo;s modern history, is among the high-profile names <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4449748\/bill-clinton-demands-public-hearing-connections-epstein\/\">documented <\/a>as having flown on Epstein&rsquo;s plane. Clinton has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and there is no evidence he engaged in illegal conduct. He and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are expected to appear for congressional depositions about Epstein later this month.<\/p>\n<p>The latest document releases have also renewed scrutiny of several influential Democratic-linked donors, underscoring the cross-party nature of Epstein&rsquo;s circle. Venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, a major Democratic donor and LinkedIn co-founder, appears thousands of times in the Epstein documents, while sports and media executive Casey Wasserman, another high-profile political donor whose giving has largely favored Democrats, was named in the most recent tranche of records. Neither has been accused of criminal wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4451159\/trump-stands-by-howard-lutnick-jeffrey-epstein-blowback\/\">has faced renewed questions<\/a> after emails surfaced showing discussions about travel to Epstein&rsquo;s private Caribbean island in 2012. Lutnick acknowledged Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee that he had lunch with Epstein there, a shift from his earlier statement that he spent &ldquo;zero time&rdquo; with him. He has not been accused of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The breadth of Epstein&rsquo;s connections complicates Democrats&rsquo; effort to frame the scandal as a one-sided political liability.<\/p>\n<p>Jon Reinish, a Democratic strategist, argued the message can resonate if it is framed around accountability rather than partisan score-settling.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If it&rsquo;s handled properly, it can really resonate with anti-elite, fed-up voters who believe the system is rigged for rich, powerful insiders,&rdquo; Reinish said. &ldquo;Crusading for the Epstein survivors and for the truth, no matter what is uncovered, feeds into a populist movement.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But he acknowledged uncertainty about where future revelations could lead. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is no way of knowing how many directions this is going to lead in,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gop-skepticism\">GOP skepticism<\/h2>\n<p>Republican strategists argue the message risks looking disconnected from voters&rsquo; daily concerns.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Democrats continue to beclown themselves with the Epstein files,&rdquo; Florida-based GOP strategist Ford O&rsquo;Connell said. &ldquo;It may fire up their base, but the Epstein files are not going to put food on your table. They&rsquo;re not going to put gas in your car.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>O&rsquo;Connell argued the focus diverts attention from economic and security issues voters prioritize and could boomerang as more Democratic-aligned figures face scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration appointee, called the phrase &ldquo;a banger of a line&rdquo; but questioned its staying power.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It resonates because so many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/well-be-watching-more-than-200-high-profile-women-demand-big-tech-stop-pandemic-of-online-abuse-against-women-and-girls\/\" title=\"\u2018We\u2019ll Be Watching\u2019: More Than 200 High-Profile Women Demand Big Tech Stop \u2018Pandemic Of On... Abuse Against Women And Girls\u2019\">high-profile people<\/a> are connected to Epstein,&rdquo; Bartlett said. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;m not sure the midterms are going to be fought along Epstein lines. It&rsquo;s highly sensationalized, but I&rsquo;m not sure it actually moves voters long term.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bartlett noted the scandal cuts across party lines.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Epstein is apolitical,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It has tentacles across party, across politics, across so many different sectors of power.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>That bipartisan reach, strategists say, makes the controversy harder to weaponize cleanly but also feeds a wider distrust of elites that both parties are trying to harness.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4456532\/democrats-demand-investigation-doj-surveillance-members-search-history\/\"><strong>DEMOCRATS WANT PROBE OF BONDI&rsquo;S &lsquo;SPYING&rsquo; ON LAWMAKERS&rsquo; EPSTEIN SEARCH HISTORY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The clash reflects a broader competition over which party can claim the anti-elite energy that has shaped recent elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The populist mantle is really up for grabs now,&rdquo; Reinish said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats push Epstein-class attack on Trump&#8217;s circle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2569909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26042042042217-1.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[8066,3685,9006,3634],"class_list":["post-2569908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-allies","tag-democrats","tag-epstein","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26042042042217-1.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2569908"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2569912,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569908\/revisions\/2569912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2569909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2569908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2569908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2569908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}