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.
