5 Rules for Reading the Epstein Files

Pol;itico ^ | 12/19/2025 04:44 AM EST | Ankush Khardori

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Summary

Ankush Khardori, a POLITICO Magazine senior writer and former federal prosecutor, provides guidance on navigating the Justice Department's release of Epstein investigation files, mandated by a law signed by President Trump with a Friday deadline.

The release involves over 300 gigabytes of data, including electronic devices, documents, logs, financial records, FBI interview summaries (302s), and internal communications, excluding child pornography material. Full compliance may take weeks due to volume.

Khardori warns the release is unlikely to end Epstein conspiracy theories.

Five rules:

1. Don’t Read the Files Directly: Avoid drawing conclusions from isolated items; rely on reputable journalists for context, as raw material risks misinterpretation. Beware doctored or selective social media posts.

2. Understand Document Types: Sources vary in credibility (e.g., Epstein's own statements are unreliable). FBI 302s summarize witness interviews but do not verify truth, include credibility assessments, or note contradictions/corrobation efforts.

3. Distinguish Sleazy from Criminal Behavior: Association with Epstein or post-2008 conviction contact is not necessarily criminal unless involving facilitation or concealment of crimes. Avoid guilt-by-association.

4. Be Skeptical of Early Releases: The Trump DOJ may frontload damaging material against opponents or delay exculpatory info, citing ongoing investigations. The administration's handling, including reversals and new probes into Democrats, erodes trust.

5. Ask: Where’s Trump? Material on Trump should be releasable early, as it does not impede investigations. Absence suggests potential withholding to protect the president.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Rule #1 Don’t Read the Files

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” --George Orwell

Rule #3 Distinguish Sleazy from Criminal Behavior

TRANSLATION: Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

Rule #5 Ask: Where’s Trump?

As if the Democrats would have released it years ago if there was anything on Trump there.

[for-q-clinton]

So in other words, only believe what they say or even slightly infer about Trump. Everything else is a lie or out of context.

[Uncle Miltie]

“Rely on reputable journalists”

Of which there are none.

[BenLurkin]

Is this the Babylon Bee?

[RetiredTexasVet]

“Rely on reputable journalists”

Certainly not at Politico!!!!

[A_Former_Democrat]

Sure, Paid Politico.

Whatever you say

[Jeff Chandler]

rely on reputable journalists

[Equine1952]

You read my mind. The lunatic fringe is real. They are Dems and journalists.

[Pennsyltucky Boy]

Rule #1 - It’s Trump’s fault!
Rule #2 -It’s Trump’s fault!
Rule #3 -It’s Trump’s fault!
Rule #4 -It’s Trump’s fault!
Rule #5 -It’s Trump’s fault!

[Sacajaweau]

I saw a picture of Epstein and Andrew....but they cut off King Charles a couple feet away...It was in England....

Believe your eyes...unless you're reading originals...forget it...

[RummyChick]

Massie and Khanna getting ready to impeach Bondi

[butterdezillion]

Do these idiots not realize they have become a caricature of themselves?

The “journalism major” who taught my son’s English/writing class had one rule for writing the research paper: Don’t you DARE try to look at primary sources! You will see what I want you to see, no ands, buts, ifs or ors - and all of it has to come from ABCNBCCBSCNN.

[cgbg]

Yup—I think the last of the “reputable journalists” were killed off in the battlefields of World War II.

Lol.

[No.6]

That such a base, pitiful attempt at manipulation and gaslighting was approved means they’re desperately frightened.

Normally they just smugly assume nobody will go read the real info, publish something like “[cherry-picked snippet of data]; here’s what to know” and relax knowing the NPCs will regurgitate their BS all over Reddit.

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

6) Post pictures of Trump aged by AI with his daughter, her face blocked out, and claim it was from the files.

[plain talk]

Their 5 rules if they were honest

1. Its all about Trump.
2. Its all about Trump.
3. Its all about Trump.
4. Its all about Trump.
5. Its all about Trump.

[frank ballenger]

RE: I think the last of the “reputable journalists” were killed off in the battlefields of World War II.

Agree.
I finally saw the ridiculous movie about Edward R. Murrow called Good Night and Good Luck.
All the 1950s TV news people were excited and cheering and celebrating their slanted, biased stories were finally “getting” Senator McCarthy.

They bragged in the first two minutes that they at CBS always have total, fair, honest objectivity and do not take sides. Then the entire movie was about how they did that. Just as leftist as MS Now today. Trash.

Just like All the President’s Men which I never watched. The Communist mother and father of Bernstein raised their son to hate Republicans and especially the anti-Communist young Richard Nixon. Then he “happened onto” the anti-Nixon story.

[jz638]

"or delay exculpatory info"

I'm sure there is a treasure trove of world leaders checking IDs and reuniting young women with their families. Or maybe we are waiting on that notarized list of "powerful men who never do anything appropriate and I just hang out with them for funsies" authored by Epstein.

[Rocco DiPippo]

Rule # 6: Stop reading at "Ankush Khardori."

[alaskamomma]

Unbelievable, they release the files they were all screeching about and now turn around and say discount them all unless those so called, journalist tells them it ok to believe. We are in a world where the leftist/demonrats have no honor, morals and really don’t care about the citizens of this country. They only care about themselves and getting power back over us to do to us like that tyrant Biden regime DID with the democrat party marching in lockstep with him TO HURT US.