ICYMI · Slate Podcasts

Stop Memeing the Epstein Files

February 11, 2026·38 min·3 clips

Kat Tenbarge describes an AI video of Jeffrey Epstein catching a bullet that went viral with millions of views.

This episode of ICYMI examines the online trend of memeing the Jeffrey Epstein files. Host Kate Lindsay is joined by journalist Kat Tenbarge, who has written critically about this phenomenon. Tenbarge argues that turning the files into viral jokes minimizes the serious crimes and retraumatizes survivors. The conversation begins with a recent Ritz cracker Super Bowl ad featuring a private island party, which many online users connected to Epstein's island. The hosts discuss the January 30th document release from the Department of Justice, which exposed ties between powerful figures and the convicted sex offender. Tenbarge references a specific viral AI-generated video from December depicting Jeffrey Epstein intercepting a bullet meant for commentator Charlie Kirk. A widely shared photo from the files shows Prince Andrew on his hands and knees over a woman whose face is obscured. Tenbarge criticizes the Justice Department for its haphazard redactions, which she says improperly expose victim information while protecting perpetrators. She connects the memetic response to a feeling of "learned helplessness" stemming from a lack of official accountability. The discussion notes how people often search the files for oddities or their own names rather than engaging with the horrific core allegations. Some young men have even used AI to insert themselves into photos with Epstein on his plane. A key insight is that the conspiratorial mindset surrounding Epstein requires constantly adding new layers, such as claiming common words in the files are secret codes. Tenbarge highlights how this distracts from the documented evidence and obstructs justice. She points out that speculating victim Virginia Giuffre was murdered, rather than accepting her death by suicide, acts as a "thought-terminating" conspiracy. The memetic treatment risks normalizing the behavior detailed in the files, which could empower implicated figures to rehabilitate their images online. Tenbarge warns that this environment sends a dangerous message to all survivors that coming forward will lead to their trauma being turned into a joke. She introduces the feminist concept of women being "centered and silenced" in the Epstein coverage, as the victims are the reason for the story yet are often overlooked in the discourse. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending cultural criticism with journalistic scrutiny of internet trends. The style is educational, dissecting the social mechanics behind viral content with a clear ethical stance against the trivialization of sexual violence. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in media ethics, digital culture, and the social impact of online behavior. It might frustrate those who view internet memes as harmless coping mechanisms or who seek conspiratorial speculation about the files.

As heard by us

Meme logic turns the Epstein story into a joke while keeping survivors in the middle of it.

ICYMI starts with a small snack-and-Super-Bowl detour, then gets to the sharper part of the conversation: Jeffrey Epstein, conspiracy thinking, and the way the story keeps sliding toward meme territory.

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Why you'd press play

For when Epstein discourse has turned into a meme you still cannot stop seeing.

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