Epstein didn't kill himself explained

"Epstein didn't kill himself" is a meme referring to multiple conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Jeffrey Epstein that dispute the official ruling of suicide by hanging. Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender with connections to powerful and wealthy people, and his reported suicide led to numerous hypotheses about the nature and cause of his death. The phrase became a colloquialism as well as an internet meme, gaining traction in November 2019 as more of the circumstances around his death became public. The most common theory asserts that the true cause of his death was homicide, via strangulation, arranged by one or more co-conspirators to prevent him from revealing any compromising information.

The phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" is often inserted into unexpected contexts like a photo caption of the painter Bob Ross[1] or at the end of a social media post as a non sequitur.[2] [3] The meme has appeared at multiple televised sports games in the form of signs and painted bodies.[4] [5] [6] Several people have also randomly interjected the phrase at the end of interviews.[7] It is used by individuals of all sides of the political spectrum without agreement on the specific details of Epstein's death.[8] [9]

Background

See main article: Death of Jeffrey Epstein. On August 10, 2019, American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found unresponsive in his Metropolitan Correctional Center jail cell, where he was awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons official statement, "He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff."[10] The New York City medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide by hanging.[11] Epstein's lawyers challenged that conclusion and opened their own investigation.[12] Epstein's brother Mark hired board-certified forensic pathologist Michael Baden to oversee the autopsy. In late October, Baden announced that autopsy evidence indicated homicidal strangulation more than suicidal hanging.[13] Both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice's inspector general conducted investigations into the circumstances of his death, and the guards on duty were later charged with conspiracy and record falsification.[14]

Due to violations of normal jail procedures on the night of Epstein's death, the malfunction of two cameras in front of his cell, and his claims to have compromising information about powerful figures, his death generated doubt about his apparent suicide and speculation that he was murdered.[15] [16]

At an August 27 hearing, Epstein defense attorney Reid Weingarten expressed "significant doubts" that Epstein's death was due to suicide. According to Weingarten, when attorneys met with their client shortly before his death, "we did not see a despairing, despondent, suicidal person".[17] Epstein's brother, Mark, has rejected the possibility of Jeffrey's suicide, claiming, "I could see if he got a life sentence, I could then see him taking himself out, but he had a bail hearing coming up."[18] He also claimed his "life may also be in danger", if Epstein was indeed murdered.[19] In a press conference about two months after Epstein's death, Bill de Blasio, the then mayor of New York City, declined to endorse chief medical examiner Sampson's conclusions, saying, "Something doesn't fit here. It just doesn't make sense that the highest-profile prisoner in America—you know, someone forgot to guard him."[20] Former US Attorney and Senate Judiciary Committee counsel Brett Tolman said the death was "more than coincidental" considering Epstein's "many connections to powerful people".[21]

Mainstreaming

At the end of an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, former Navy SEAL and founder of the Warrior Dog Foundation Mike Ritland asked if he could give a "PSA". After being told that he could, he stated, "If you see the coverage [about combat dogs] and you decide I want one of these dogs, either buy a fully trained and finished dog from a professional or just don't get one at all. That, and Epstein didn't kill himself."[22] [23] Ritland later stated his purpose for suddenly mentioning the phrase was to keep the Jeffrey Epstein story alive.[24] According to The Washington Post, the meme gained a large amount of attention in the immediate aftermath of this interview.

Arizona Republican Congressman Paul Gosar shared the meme in a series of 23 tweets where the first letter of each tweet spelled out the phrase.[25] Australian rapper Matthew Lambert of Hilltop Hoods, after winning the 2019 ARIA Music Award for Best Australian Live Act, included the phrase in his acceptance speech.[26]

2020 Golden Globe Awards

In his opening monologue at the 77th Golden Globe Awards, host and comedian Ricky Gervais joked that the suicidal character of his show After Life will come back for a second season. He added: "So in the end, he obviously didn't kill himself – just like Jeffrey Epstein. Shut up. I know he's your friend, but I don't care."[27]

Platforms

The meme has been shared by individuals on a number of platforms including Facebook and Twitter.[28] Podcast host Joe Rogan and Internet personality Tank Sinatra used Instagram to spread the meme to their followers,[29] which in Rogan's case had included Mike Ritland. The "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme has also appeared in TikTok videos, which notably is frequented by a younger user base.

Several users on dating apps, such as Tinder and Hinge, have written in their profiles that whether or not someone accepts the premise of the meme is a relationship deal breaker.[30] In the 2020 Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, a Le Krewe d'Etat parade float featured a large float with effigies of Epstein and Hillary Clinton.[31] [32]

Products

Two beer companies, the Michigan-based Rusted Spoke Brewing Co.[33] and the Californian Tactical OPS Brewing,[34] advertised specialty-branded beers in connection to the meme. Rusted Spoke's operations manager told the Detroit Free Press that people just thought the meme was funny.[35] In Switzerland, the Zürich-based company Kaex printed the meme on promotional material for an anti-hangover product.[36]

Computer programmer, businessman, and presidential candidate John McAfee announced the release of an Ethereum-based token named after the meme. He had previously expressed doubts about Epstein's death.[37] 700 million tokens of the cryptocurrency were released to 8,000 users following its airdrop. Following McAfee's death, many, particularly followers of QAnon, started using "McAfee didn't kill himself" in reference to the meme, the similarities of the reporting, and the fact that McAfee was an outspoken supporter of the phrase.[38]

Holiday-themed merchandise, such as Christmas sweaters, which prominently feature the phrase also became available for sale through several online retailers.[39] In an interview with Slate, independent merchandisers indicated that the Christmas/Epstein product lines were selling comparatively well and cited the mashup's dark humor for its internet popularity. According to Variety, the Christmas-themed paraphernalia was reportedly outselling Game of Thrones merchandise.

Vandalism

The phrase has been connected to several incidents of vandalism including its appearance "on road signs and overpasses around the country". One specific incident saw the meme painted on a 7-foot-high boulder and visible to travellers on Washington State Route 9 in Snohomish, causing some controversy in the local community.[40]

The site of a popular art piece at the Art Basel in Miami, Comedian, a banana that had been duct-taped to a wall, was vandalized when Roderick Webber of Massachusetts wrote " didn't kill himself" in red lipstick on the wall which Comedian had previously occupied. Webber was arrested for criminal mischief, and he reportedly spent a night in jail.[41]

Reactions

NPR's Scott Simon compared the bait-and-switch aspect of the meme to rickrolling. He also worried that doing a news story about the meme could spread misinformation. Federal prosecutors have tried to discourage the spread of the theory, but the Associated Press reported, "[t]he phrase 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' has taken on a life of its own—sometimes more as a pop culture catchphrase than an actual belief."[42]

Writer James Poulos cited the advancement of social media and growing populist sentiments for the meme. Commentators have also suggested that growing distrust of government and the elite played a large factor in its popularity as well. Jeet Heer with The Nation has expressed his worries that this could lead to the meme becoming a useful tool for recruitment for the far-right; but Adam Bulger, in a featured article for BTRtoday, dismissed Heer's concerns and encouraged the Democratic Party to embrace the meme.[43]

In an article for Mel Magazine published shortly before the Fox News interview, Miles Klee wrote that there were numerous factors for the meme's rise online; among these included a "simmering resentment" and a lack of justice for Epstein's victims.[44] [45] He further explained that a large attraction of sharing the "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme was that it served as a method to keep the Epstein story within the news cycle. Author Anna Merlan has instead argued that the meme over time tends to trivialize the concerns of Epstein's victims. However, she mentioned that Jane Doe 15, who on November 19, 2019, publicly alleged that Jeffrey Epstein had raped her, wore a bracelet featuring the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" at a public press conference to possibly indicate her belief in the theory.

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: Understanding the 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme . Poisson . Jayme . Merlan . Anna . . Front Burner . December 1, 2019 . November 20, 2019 . Audio . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193149/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/understanding-the-jeffrey-epstein-didn-t-kill-himself-meme-1.5365778 . live . en.
  2. News: Khawaja . Jemayel . 'Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Is Peak Meme After Art Basel Prank . December 15, 2019 . . Penske Business Media . December 10, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193214/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-1203431048/ . live . en.
  3. News: Poulos . James . 'Epstein didn't kill himself' and the decline of the elite . November 21, 2019 . . November 15, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193210/https://www.ocregister.com/2019/11/14/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-and-the-decline-of-the-elite-james-poulos/ . live . en.
  4. News: Raymond . Adam K. . The 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Meme Has Gone Mainstream . November 21, 2019 . . Vox Media . November 11, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193150/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/11/the-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-has-gone-mainstream.html . live . en-US.
  5. News: Goggin . Benjamin . Tenbarge . Kat . Why you're seeing Jeffrey Epstein murder memes everywhere . November 26, 2019 . . November 19, 2019 . November 10, 2019 . https://archive.today/20191110003300/https://www.insider.com/jeffrey-epstein-death-meme-conspiracy-clinton-global-elites-deceiving-2019-11 . live . en.
  6. Ellis . Emma Grey . 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' and the Meme-ing of Conspiracy . November 21, 2019 . . November 15, 2019 . November 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191129233836/https://www.wired.com/story/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-conspiracy/ . live . en.
  7. News: 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme pops up on MSNBC . Brian . Flood . November 12, 2019 . . December 3, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193220/https://www.foxnews.com/media/jeffrey-epstein-did-not-kill-himself . live . en.
  8. News: Epstein's Death Becomes A Meme . November 21, 2019 . . Scott . Simon . Weekend Edition Saturday . November 16, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193213/https://www.npr.org/2019/11/16/780067957/epsteins-death-becomes-a-meme . live . en.
  9. News: Rothschild . Mike . Epstein died, but 'Epstein didn't kill himself' memes are alive and well . November 25, 2019 . . November 7, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193154/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/jeffrey-epstein-memes/ . live . en.
  10. News: Hallemann . Caroline . Prince Andrew Says He Regrets His "Ill-Judged Association" with Jeffrey Epstein . November 26, 2019 . . Hearst Digital Media . November 20, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193153/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a28352055/jeffrey-epstein-criminal-case-facts/ . live . en.
  11. News: Medical examiner rules Epstein death a suicide by hanging . Michael R. . Sisak . Michael . Balsamo . Larry . Neumeister . August 17, 2019 . . November 25, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816220542/https://www.apnews.com/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718 . live . en.
  12. News: Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers blast 'medieval conditions' at federal jail where he died by suicide and say they are launching their own investigation . Frias . Lauren . August 16, 2019 . . August 19, 2019 . August 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190818174940/https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8 . live . en.
  13. News: Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide, Dr. Michael Baden reveals . Melissa . Leon . . November 11, 2019 . October 29, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193155/https://www.foxnews.com/us/forensic-pathologist-jeffrey-epstein-homicide-suicide . live . en.
  14. News: Jeffrey Epstein's Jail Guards Charged With Conspiracy, Records Falsification . Rebecca Davis . O'Brien . Corinne . Ramey . November 19, 2019 . . December 3, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193155/https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeffrey-epsteins-jail-guards-charged-11574181201 . live . en.
  15. News: The Day Jeffrey Epstein Told Me He Had Dirt on Powerful People . Stewart . James B. . August 12, 2019 . The New York Times . August 22, 2019 . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190813204544/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/business/jeffrey-epstein-interview.html . live . en-US.
  16. News: Epstein Lawyers say evidence 'far more consistent' with murder than suicide . Stockler . Asher . August 27, 2019 . . August 27, 2019 . August 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190827195303/https://www.newsweek.com/epstein-death-murder-suicide-victims-hearing-1456397 . live . en.
  17. Web site: Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers highly 'skeptical' of suicide ruling, say he wasn't 'despairing, despondent' before death . Dan . Mangan . Kevin . Breuninger . August 27, 2019 . CNBC . https://web.archive.org/web/20200607175131/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-skeptical-of-suicide-ruling.html . 17 October 2023 . live . June 7, 2020.
  18. Web site: Jeffrey Epstein wasn't trafficking women — and he didn't kill himself, brother says . Julie . Brown . November 14, 2019 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200612205952/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article237242984.html. June 12, 2020.
  19. Web site: Jeffrey Epstein's brother fears his life 'may also be in danger' . Pagones . Stephanie . December 23, 2019 . . January 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200218152928/https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jeffrey-epstein-brother-fears-life-danger . live . February 18, 2020.
  20. News: Durkin . Erin . October 31, 2020 . De Blasio: 'Something doesn't fit' about Jeffrey Epstein's death . . October 17, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804111302/https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2019/10/31/de-blasio-something-doesnt-fit-about-jeffrey-epsteins-death-1226158 . August 4, 2020.
  21. Web site: Ex-US attorney calls Epstein suicide 'more than coincidental' . Bruce . Golding . November 20, 2019 . nypost.com . live . July 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200112032201/https://nypost.com/2019/11/20/ex-us-attorney-calls-epstein-suicide-more-than-coincidental/ . January 12, 2020.
  22. News: Castrodale . Jelisa . This Beer Says 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' on the Bottom of Its Can . November 25, 2019 . . November 13, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193223/https://www.vice.com/en/article/zmj9kx/this-beer-says-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-on-the-bottom-of-its-can . live . en.
  23. News: Hein . Michael . Fox News Guest Sneaks in 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Comment During Live Segment . November 25, 2019 . . November 3, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193219/https://popculture.com/trending/news/fox-news-guest-sneaks-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-comment-live-segment/ . live . en.
  24. News: Shultz . Alex . Why "Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" Started Trending Almost Three Months After His Death . December 6, 2019 . . Condé Nast . November 5, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193222/https://www.gq.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-explained . live . en.
  25. News: Colasimone . Dan . A US Congressman sent out a series of coded tweets pointing to a rapidly spreading conspiracy theory . November 25, 2019 . . . November 15, 2019 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225225045/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-15/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-amplified-by-congressman/11707202 . live . en-AU.
  26. News: Rahman . Khaleda . "Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself," rapper declares during award acceptance speech . December 1, 2019 . Newsweek . November 27, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193228/https://www.newsweek.com/australian-rappers-says-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-1474397 . live . en.
  27. News: Amatulli . Jenna . Ricky Gervais Says Epstein Didn't Kill Himself, Drags Felicity Huffman At Golden Globes . January 5, 2020 . . January 5, 2020 . January 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200106210349/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ricky-gervais-opening-monologue-golden-globes-2020_n_5e0fa2d3c5b6b5a713ba297d?zwi . live . en-AU.
  28. News: Royse . Dave . Why 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Has Taken Over Memes, Social Media . November 25, 2019 . . Benzinga . November 5, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193314/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-220010074.html . live . en.
  29. News: Dougherty . Michael Brendan . 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' . November 21, 2019 . . November 13, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193235/https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-that-has-serious-point/ . live . en.
  30. News: Shultz . Alex . Why on Earth Are People Talking About Jeffrey Epstein in Their Dating Profile? . November 25, 2019 . GQ . Condé Nast . November 13, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193236/https://www.gq.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-dating-apps-why . live . en.
  31. Web site: 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Float Shocks Mardi Gras Goers . Robert J. . Wright . News Radio 710 KEEL . February 25, 2020 . July 3, 2020 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193244/https://710keel.com/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-float-shocks-mardi-gras-goers-video/ . live.
  32. Web site: 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Mardi Gras Float Featuring Hillary Clinton Effigy Rolls Through New Orleans . uk.news.yahoo.com . February 24, 2020 . July 3, 2020 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193238/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_b885ef2f-fb52-4654-a7e6-0a240ca70b60 . live.
  33. News: DeVito . Lee . Michigan brewery reminds us that Jeffrey Epstein probably didn't kill himself . November 26, 2019 . . November 11, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193226/https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and-bar/archives/2019/11/11/michigan-brewery-reminds-us-that-jeffrey-epstein-probably-didnt-kill-himself . live . en.
  34. News: Clovis brewery prints 'Epstein didn't kill himself' on the bottom of cans . December 6, 2019 . . FOX26 News . November 7, 2019 . Clovis, CA . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193226/https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/fresno-brewery-prints-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-on-the-bottom-of-cans . live . en.
  35. News: Morris . Taylor Nichole . Mackinaw City brewery names beer after Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy theory . December 6, 2019 . . November 11, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193227/https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/11/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-beer-ipa-northern-michigan-brewery/2562717001/ . live . en.
  36. News: Blum . Pascal . Wahnsinnig lustig . December 15, 2019 . . December 10, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193247/https://www.derbund.ch/kultur/diverses/wahnsinnig-lustig/story/29732636 . live . de.
  37. News: Chung . Frank . John McAfee says Jeffrey Epstein was probably murdered . December 6, 2019 . . November 11, 2019 . News.com.au . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193230/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/john-mcafee-says-jeffrey-epstein-was-probably-murdered/OX3QD563PWEPXKRO5CDYMVRBFU/ . live . en-NZ.
  38. Web site: Greenspan . Rachel E. . Asarch . Steven . June 24, 2021 . QAnon followers are already spreading Epstein-like conspiracy theories about John McAfee's reported suicide . . October 17, 2023 .
  39. News: Mak . Aaron . The Latest Conspiracy Theory Merch Craze Is Jeffrey Epstein Christmas Swag . November 26, 2019 . . November 15, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193231/https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-etsy-amazon-christmas-holidays-whyyyy.html . live . en.
  40. News: Brown . Andrea . A cryptic meme splashes the usually benign rock of Snohomish . December 15, 2019 . . Sound Publishing . November 18, 2019 . Snohomish . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193231/https://www.heraldnet.com/news/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-painted-on-the-rock-of-snohomish/ . live . en-US.
  41. News: 'Epstein no se mató': la polémica frase que pintaron donde estaba el plátano de 120 mil dólares . December 15, 2019 . Mundo . . December 10, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193302/https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2019/12/10/arte-banana-cinta-jeffrey-epstein-no-se-mato-escriben-en-obra-de-maurizio-cattelan-120-mil-dolares-fotos/ . live . es.
  42. News: Sisak . Michael R. . 'Epstein didn't kill himself': Feds fail to snuff out conspiracy theories . December 1, 2019 . . Associated Press . November 24, 2019 . New York . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193232/https://www.courant.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html . live . en.
  43. News: Bulger . Adam . Democrats Need to be The Party of 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' . December 6, 2019 . . November 15, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193233/https://www.btrtoday.com/read/featured/democrats-need-to-be-the-party-of-epstein-didnt-kill-himself/ . live . en.
  44. News: McCarter . Reid . Man helpfully declares 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' at the tail end of a Fox News interview . December 6, 2019 . . G/O Media . November 4, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193237/https://news.avclub.com/man-helpfully-declares-jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-hims-1839608316 . live . en-US.
  45. News: Klee . Miles . Memes Are Keeping the Jeffrey Epstein Story Alive . December 6, 2019 . . Dollar Shave Club . October 31, 2019 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193239/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/memes-are-keeping-the-jeffrey-epstein-story-alive . live . en-US.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Epstein didn't kill himself".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.