This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Rex Huppke: Bondi downplays Epstein, suggests money is all that matters

Sun., Feb. 15, 2026

Rex Huppke USA Today

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a congressional hearing room with some of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors seated behind her, showed the world that finding justice for those survivors and holding Epstein’s wealthy friends and clients accountable doesn’t matter.

What matters to the Trump administration is simple and revelatory: Money.

Shrugging off questions about the Epstein files she and her Department of Justice have been trying desperately to conceal, in a snide tone wholly devoid of empathy, Bondi told the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday: “The Dow is over 50,000 right now. The S&P at almost 7,000, and the Nasdaq smashing records. That’s what we should be talking about. Americans 401ks and retirement savings are booming. That’s what we should be talking about.”

Effectively declaring “Money is all that matters!” is definitely not going to make the focus on elite, wealthy men with ties to a notorious child sex trafficker go away.

Offered a chance to apologize to the survivors in the hearing room, Bondi launched into partisan attacks against Democrats and didn’t even acknowledge the women behind her.

Bondi’s statement was aimed at an audience of one: President Donald Trump. His name is all over the Epstein files, so he wants it go away, and slavish praise from underlings is a job requirement for people in his administration.

But what about the Epstein survivors, all dressed in white, who were seated in that room and had to listen to the attorney general of the United States, who is supposed to be the people’s lawyer, shrug off this massive, vile scandal? What about the pain or anger or exhaustion they must have felt as Bondi told lawmakers they should just be happy the rich are getting richer?

That’s the crux of the Epstein case: Wealthy, elite figures who’ve managed to skate on any connections to a notorious child sex trafficker because they are wealthy and elite. Because they are unbound by America’s rules or morals. Because all that matters, it seems, is money.

I would say shame on Bondi, but I don’t believe her capable of shame. She’s clearly running cover for Trump right now, as the released files have shown more about the president’s close connection to Epstein.

A recent Economist/YouGov poll found 52% of Americans believe Trump is trying to cover up Epstein’s crimes.

Directly relating to the audacity of Bondi’s “But stock market!!” cry is this from the poll: “The vast majority (85%) of Americans – including 94% of Democrats and 84% of Republicans – strongly or somewhat agree with the statement, ‘There are powerful elites who helped Epstein target and abuse young girls. They protected him and need to be investigated.’ ”

You can’t get 85% of Americans to agree on anything. So no, Ms. Bondi, we should not be talking about the Dow or the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq.

We should be talking about unspeakable crimes committed against girls and young women and the ways wealth and power can insulate certain people from justice.

We should be talking about you, as the people’s lawyer and as someone under the eyes of Epstein survivors, finding the basic human decency to do your damn job.

Follow USA Today columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @rexhuppke.bsky.social and on Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.