The Growing List of Names in the Epstein Files, and the Federal Investigation into D.E.I. at Nike
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From The New York Times, it's The Headlines. I'm Tracey Mumford. Today's Friday, February 6th. Here's what we're covering. The Crown Princess of Norway. The man in charge of the upcoming Olympics in L.A. The former British ambassador to the U.S. The list of prominent and powerful names surfacing in the Epstein files keeps growing, revealing a staggering web of connections. My colleagues have spent the last week combing through the latest batch of documents, tracing Jeffrey Epstein's relationships and how, in some cases, he tried to leverage them. There are frequent moments where he's chatty with royals. You are such a sweetheart, reads one email sent to him, apparently by Crown Princess Meta Merit of Norway.
It came in 2012, four years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for sex. In another email, Sarah Ferguson, the British ex-duchess, told Epstein she didn't have the words to describe the love or gratitude she felt for him, after Epstein likely paid for flights for her and her daughters. Epstein seemed to hope she would help him with his image problem, suggesting she release a statement that he was, quote, not a pedo. The documents are littered with stories like this. The billionaire Peter Thiel giving Epstein investment advice, or Epstein helping Woody Allen and his wife connect with the president of Bard College to try and get their daughter admitted. Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Sergey Brin, and a former Israeli prime minister all make appearances.
As more details have surfaced, there have been a flurry of apologies and statements by people trying to clarify their connection to Epstein. Some have lost their positions and may face other consequences. A former head of some of America's top art museums stepped down this week. So did the head of one of the country's top corporate law firms after their chummy messages with Epstein became public. And in London, police have opened a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador who's been accused of passing confidential government information to Epstein. For now, there's been no evidence in the files of what has been one of the most enduring conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, that he was gathering dirt on his wealthy, powerful, and famous acquaintances that he could have potentially used for blackmail or other purposes.
This week, the federal agency that enforces employment law said that it is investigating Nike over allegations that it discriminated against white workers. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, said that it's looking at, quote, systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination. The agency is currently trying to force Nike to comply with a subpoena seeking information about a range of efforts to boost racial diversity among its employees and senior leadership. Nike called it a surprising and unusual escalation and said it had already been cooperating with the EEOC. The move appears to be the first time the commission has said that DEI practices can be considered discrimination against white Americans.
It also puts the agency and its Trump-nominated chair, Andrea Lucas, at the forefront of the administration's broad assault on diversity programs.
Are you a white male who's experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex? You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws.
Since taking charge of the EEOC last year, Lucas has solicited complaints from white men and said in a recent interview with The Times that her mission is to, quote, restore a focus on equality as opposed to equity.
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