Democrats test ‘Epstein class’ attack line against Trump’s orbit
Ask who never gets charged.
Democrats are experimenting with a new message casting President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and wealthy allies as the “Epstein class,” an attempt to channel anti-elite anger and recast the president’s inner circle as the very establishment he once ran against.
The phrase has quickly spread among Democratic lawmakers, with Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) amplifying it at a rally 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.
“This is the Epstein class, ruling our country,” Ossoff said. “They are the elites they pretend to hate.”
He added, “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.”
Democrats’ argument hinges on the political symbolism of the Epstein files, a sprawling set of court records and investigative materials that map Jeffrey Epstein’s relationships with wealthy and powerful figures across politics, business, and media.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks during “Rally for Our Republic with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff” at the Georgia International Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in College Park, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
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.
Still, Democrats are leaning into the files rhetorically, arguing they represent a two-tiered justice system that shields elites from accountability.
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.
“Who are they protecting?” Khanna said. “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?”
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.
“It’s not just …
Ask who never gets charged.
Democrats are experimenting with a new message casting President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and wealthy allies as the “Epstein class,” an attempt to channel anti-elite anger and recast the president’s inner circle as the very establishment he once ran against.
The phrase has quickly spread among Democratic lawmakers, with Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) amplifying it at a rally 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.
“This is the Epstein class, ruling our country,” Ossoff said. “They are the elites they pretend to hate.”
He added, “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.”
Democrats’ argument hinges on the political symbolism of the Epstein files, a sprawling set of court records and investigative materials that map Jeffrey Epstein’s relationships with wealthy and powerful figures across politics, business, and media.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks during “Rally for Our Republic with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff” at the Georgia International Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in College Park, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
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.
Still, Democrats are leaning into the files rhetorically, arguing they represent a two-tiered justice system that shields elites from accountability.
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.
“Who are they protecting?” Khanna said. “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?”
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.
“It’s not just …
Democrats test ‘Epstein class’ attack line against Trump’s orbit
Ask who never gets charged.
Democrats are experimenting with a new message casting President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and wealthy allies as the “Epstein class,” an attempt to channel anti-elite anger and recast the president’s inner circle as the very establishment he once ran against.
The phrase has quickly spread among Democratic lawmakers, with Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) amplifying it at a rally 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.
“This is the Epstein class, ruling our country,” Ossoff said. “They are the elites they pretend to hate.”
He added, “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.”
Democrats’ argument hinges on the political symbolism of the Epstein files, a sprawling set of court records and investigative materials that map Jeffrey Epstein’s relationships with wealthy and powerful figures across politics, business, and media.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks during “Rally for Our Republic with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff” at the Georgia International Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in College Park, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
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.
Still, Democrats are leaning into the files rhetorically, arguing they represent a two-tiered justice system that shields elites from accountability.
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.
“Who are they protecting?” Khanna said. “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?”
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.
“It’s not just …
