The new Jeffrey Epstein files have set off a fresh round of conspiracy theories

On July 8, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein, a financier, was indicted by the federal prosecutors on sex trafficking charges involving minors. Later that year, Epstein committed suicide while he was in federal custody. With recent court records pertaining to Epstein's supposed partners being unsealed, there has been a renewed surge in conspiracy theories relating to Epstein, who led a scandal-ridden life and had connections with influential individuals. Epstein's death has been a topic of avid speculation among conspiracy theorists.

Several unfounded allegations have sought to implicate other high-profile personalities who were not mentioned in the court documents in connection to Epstein's case. Many theorists harbor the notion that the publicly shared specifics about Epstein are not an accurate representation of the truth. As per Jenny Rice, a rhetoric professor at the University of Kentucky, conspiracy theorists typically adopt a reverse view of the oft-repeated idea "seeing is believing". Rice suggests that such communities believe only in what remains unseen and unexposed because the visible information is deemed deliberately distorted and therefore unreliable.

Recent instances include proponents of conspiracy theories claiming an Iowa school shooting to have been staged purposely to divert public attention from Epstein’s revelations. The list itself has been portrayed as a distraction from supposed new evidence that validates Donald Trump as the rightful president.

Discussing and interpreting current events has become a collaborative and participatory activity, particularly on social media platforms known to fuel conspiracy theories. Therefore, the variety of theories revolving around Epstein's life and death demonstrates the adaptability and relevance of his story within conspiracy circles.

Eric Oliver, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, observes that Epstein-related conspiracy theories are unique in that they transcend ideological biases, given Epstein's extensive social network and associations. Oliver, who has studied conspiracy theories since 2006, notes that the proportion of the population subscribing to such theories has remained relatively stable.

However, what has changed recently is the widespread availability of media sources posing as credible news outlets, he remarks. Researchers, including Oliver, often use the term "conspiracy entrepreneurs" to refer to individuals or organizations monetizing and gaining influence by propagating such theories.

Sadly, Jenny Rice states that, though conspiracy narratives may seem to address legit social concerns, they usually distract from effective political involvement. The potential impact of conspiracy theories on politics troubles Oliver, whose concerns are bolstered by two recent events – the storming of the Capitol on January 6th and the widespread resistance to COVID-19 vaccines due to denial of established scientific evidence.