Today, Explained – "The Epstein Class"

Date: February 28, 2026
Podcast: Today, Explained (Vox)
Guest: Congressman Ro Khanna

Overview

This episode centers on Congressman Ro Khanna, who has emerged as a pivotal figure in two of the most contentious issues facing American politics: the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case, and the rise of AI and fears about its impact on jobs and society. Hosts explore Khanna's efforts for transparency and accountability regarding the Epstein files—particularly targeting powerful individuals he calls the “Epstein class”—and his advocacy for equitable tech policy in Silicon Valley. The conversation also addresses bipartisan cooperation, the challenges of working across ideological divides, and the role of wealth and technology in American democracy.

Key Topics and Insights

1. The "Epstein Class" and Demands for Accountability

• Origins of Khanna's Advocacy
  • Khanna began focusing on elites’ lack of accountability by engaging with constituents in diverse, often rural and conservative communities. He observed bipartisan outrage over perceived legal impunity for the rich and powerful.
    • “I knew that this was something that Trump campaigned on, that he was going to hold elites accountable, that rich and powerful people were getting away with breaking the law, and that that was wrong.” (02:24, Ro Khanna)
• Status of the Epstein Files
  • Approximately half the material remains unreleased, with what has emerged nevertheless highly damaging.
    • “At least 50% still has been hidden, covered up. But what has been released is shocking... It’s not a good look at our elite class. It’s not a good look at the Epstein class.” (02:51, Ro Khanna)
  • Other countries have begun prosecuting implicated elites, but the US lags on legal accountability.
• Key Documents Sought
  • Victim interview statements ("302s") and the 2007 prosecution memo remain partially or fully redacted.
    • “A lot of those 302 files have been redacted and we need to get that information... The prosecution memo tells us why these charges were not brought. Why did Epstein get a sweetheart?” (03:57, Ro Khanna)
• Public Pressure and Legislative Efforts
  • Persistent public and bipartisan pressure—in Congress and among voters—has driven incremental disclosure, including Trump’s unexpected endorsement of the Epstein Transparency Act.
    • “Who would have thought that the most significant piece of Democratic legislation that Donald Trump would sign would be the Epstein Transparency Act?” (04:35, Ro Khanna)

2. Bipartisan Partnerships and Crossing the Aisle

• Work with Rep. Thomas Massie
  • The relationship blossomed around anti-war advocacy, specifically efforts to constrain US military interventions and force congressional votes on possible actions in Iran.
    • “We do not like America getting into wars overseas.... So that's really where our friendship came.” (05:11, Ro Khanna)
• War Powers Resolution and Potential Impact
  • Khanna and Massie will soon force a vote compelling the president to seek congressional approval before striking Iran, though they anticipate a close result.
    • “It will be a close vote. We will keep most of the Democratic coalition...and then we may pick up a few Republicans.” (06:18, Ro Khanna)
• Navigating Political Risks of Cross-Party Cooperation
  • Khanna defends working with controversial figures (e.g., Marjorie Taylor Greene) if it advances accountability, while maintaining his own values.
    • “If I said, ok, I'm not going to work with Thomas, we would never get the Epstein files released... The key is...to be true to your values...but dialogue with others where there can be common ground.” (07:36, Ro Khanna)

3. Risks of Overreach and Due Process

• Concerns About Mislabeling and Witch Hunts

  • Acknowledges concerns about innocent individuals being implicated due to overzealous document disclosure or speculation, but insists the greater threat is ongoing protection of genuine abusers.
    • “I'm more concerned about the predators who weren't being prosecuted.... The real issue here is people with power and wealth using it to be above the law.” (13:02, Ro Khanna)

• On Naming Individuals from Redacted Files

  • Khanna’s public naming of previously redacted individuals led to resignations and acknowledgment of further wrongdoing, but some named were allegedly unrelated to Epstein.
    • “My concern is that the DOJ is still covering up for predators... There are so many people in these files that they still are protecting, and the question is, why?” (11:48, Ro Khanna)

4. Defining the "Epstein Class"

• Precise Definition
  • Khanna distinguishes between wealth and impunity: the “Epstein class” is not simply rich, but uses wealth to evade justice and abuse others.
    • “Rich and powerful people who feel entitled that they can use that wealth to be above the law.” (15:17, Ro Khanna)
    • “It is the use of your money and privilege to defy the law... That is what enrages Americans.” (16:00, Ro Khanna)
• On Democratic Inaction and Political Incentives
  • Blames a lack of prior Democratic zeal for accountability on political inconvenience, especially where Epstein’s network involved major Democratic donors.
    • “So many rich and powerful people...some of whom are Democratic donors, certainly disincentivized the political class from speaking up.” (18:17, Ro Khanna)

5. AI, Big Tech, and the Future of Work

• Silicon Valley’s Response to Inequality

  • Some valley leaders embrace reforms; others resist higher taxes or redistribution.
    • “Some of the billionaires don't like me these days because I'm saying that they should be taxed more.” (19:54, Ro Khanna)

• AI: Opportunity vs. Risk

  • Contrasts positions in the Democratic Party:
    • Bernie Sanders calls for a moratorium on new AI data centers, citing existential risk.
    • Khanna advocates for responsible, climate-conscious innovation (Singapore/Finnish models), not blanket opposition.
    • “I'm not an AI accelerationist...and I'm not an AI doomer. I'm an AI democratist.” (21:20, Ro Khanna)
  • Points out that distrust in AI stems from distrust in institutions, not technology per se.
    • “People know that the technology could be good, but they don't trust the institutions, they don't trust our billionaires and they don't trust our politicians.” (21:41, Ro Khanna)

• Section 230 and Online Content Moderation

  • Khanna supports targeted reform rather than repeal; wants to limit platform immunity where algorithms amplify violent content.
    • “If we strip these platforms of that protection from these more extreme cases, then we would disincentivize the most extreme hate.” (22:49, Ro Khanna)

6. Taxation, Social Contract and Backlash

• California Billionaire Tax
  • Khanna supported a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, facing criticism from Governor Newsom and wealthy constituents.
    • “I'm fine with billionaires paying 5% more...so that people don't lose health care.” (23:59, Ro Khanna)
  • Defends prioritizing social welfare over the ultra-wealthy’s discontent, reiterates commitment to ordinary Americans.
    • “When push comes to shove, people will know who I stand with. I'll stand with the kids who I grew up with in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with working families, not with people in power.” (24:39, Ro Khanna)

7. Political Aspirations and National Conversation

• Soft Launch for Presidential Ambitions?
  • Khanna neither confirms nor denies a future run but emphasizes his priority is injecting these debates—political accountability, tech reform, economic justice—into mainstream discourse.
    • “It's certainly a soft launch to get these issues as part of the national conversation.” (25:39, Ro Khanna)

Notable Quotes

• “Who would have thought that the most significant piece of Democratic legislation that Donald Trump would sign would be the Epstein Transparency Act.” (04:35, Ro Khanna)
• “The real issue here is people with power and wealth using it to be above the law and escape even investigation or prosecution.” (13:02, Ro Khanna)
• “I'm not an AI accelerationist...and I'm not an AI doomer. I'm an AI democratist.” (21:20, Ro Khanna)
• “When push comes to shove, people will know who I stand with. I'll stand with the kids who I grew up with...not with people in power.” (24:39, Ro Khanna)

Important Timestamps

• [02:24] Khanna details why he began focusing on elite accountability.
• [02:51] Discusses extent and content of Epstein file releases.
• [04:35] On Trump’s support for the Epstein Transparency Act.
• [05:11] On working with Thomas Massie—origins and importance of bipartisanship.
• [10:11] Khanna explains reading redacted names on the House floor.
• [13:02] On concerns about witch hunts and the importance of prosecuting predators.
• [15:17] Defines the “Epstein class.”
• [18:17] Reasons for previous Democratic inaction on Epstein files.
• [19:54] State of inequality in Silicon Valley.
• [21:20] Outlines his philosophy on AI policy.
• [22:49] Explains his stance on Section 230 reform.
• [23:59] Justifies support for the one-time billionaire tax.
• [25:39] On his political ambitions and goals for national discourse.

Tone and Language

Congressman Ro Khanna is candid, policy-focused, and unsparing in his critiques of both political parties when it comes to elite privilege and accountability. He maintains a pragmatic optimism about bipartisan collaboration, and expresses both moral conviction (on justice, equity, and the rule of law) and a wonkish approach to technology and legislative process. The interview is forthright, lively, and rich in behind-the-scenes details on how national debates are shaped.

For Further Exploration

Listeners interested in political accountability, elite power, technology regulation, and bipartisan collaboration will find this episode especially relevant—and should watch how Khanna’s efforts on transparency and tech reform evolve in national politics.