Europe Faces Fallout While U. S. Remains Calm

In Europe, names linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein are sparking real consequences. Politicians, royals and officials are losing jobs or titles after the U. S. government released fresh documents that name them. The fallout is strikingly different from what’s happening across the Atlantic, where many high‑profile Americans keep their positions. The new files show that some European leaders were close to Epstein, a convicted sex offender. In the United Kingdom, former Prince Andrew lost his royal titles and was asked to leave the palace after accusations of sexual misconduct. He is now under police scrutiny for allegedly sharing confidential trade data with Epstein in 2010, a claim that has drawn support from King Charles III. Other British figures have also fallen. Labour politician Peter Mandelson was removed from his role as ambassador and faced a criminal probe after evidence surfaced that he received payments from Epstein and leaked government documents. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was pressured to step down, but he apologized to Epstein’s victims and defended his past support for Mandelson.France saw former culture minister Jack Lang resign after a request from the Foreign Ministry to discuss his ties with Epstein. Norway’s former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland is charged with corruption after emails revealed he stayed at Epstein’s homes and visited his private island. Norwegian Crown Princess Mette‑Marit apologized after documents showed she spent time at an Epstein property in Palm Beach. These cases illustrate how parliamentary systems can hold leaders accountable through public pressure and legal action. Across the ocean, the reaction is muted. President Trump, who was a longtime friend of Epstein and appears in many documents, remains in office and has denied wrongdoing. Because he is barred from running again, he faces less political risk than his European counterparts. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted to traveling with Epstein’s family to the billionaire’s island, but he and the White House have not been forced to resign. Other Americans with ties to Epstein, such as former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, have stepped down from academic or corporate roles, but the most powerful figures stay in place. Legal scholars note that money and politics can protect those named in the files. In the United States, wealthy donors and political allies often shield each other from scrutiny, whereas in Europe, public institutions and the media exert stronger pressure on officials. The contrast shows that cultural and political structures shape how societies respond to scandal.