The Bathhouse Proverb and the Epstein Revelations
There is a profound Hindustani proverb that states: Hammam mein sab nange hain. This phrase, originating from the public bathhouses of Persian, Mughal, and Ottoman societies, translates literally to In a bathhouse, everyone is naked. The essence of this saying is that hypocrisy becomes futile when ultimate judgment arrives; when all pretenses are stripped away, every individual stands equally exposed and vulnerable.
The Epstein Files: Stripping Away the Halos of the Elite
Nowhere has this ancient wisdom been more vividly illustrated than in the recent release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. These documents have ruthlessly dismantled the meticulously crafted public personas of numerous high-profile figures across Western Europe and North America (WENA). The files reveal a startling network where it seems nearly every notable personality was on familiar terms with the disgraced financier.
Spiritual guru Deepak Chopra appears in the records, making controversial statements about reality and attractiveness, followed by an apology that arguably worsened his position. Noam Chomsky, the renowned linguist and intellectual, is found lamenting the societal focus on abuse allegations while advising Epstein on managing public relations fallout—a stark contrast to his teachings on manufactured consent.
Political figures are equally implicated. Peter Mandelson, former UK ambassador to the US under Keir Starmer's Labour Party, is shown seeking favors from Epstein, highlighting bipartisan connections to the scandal. Bill Gates, the global health advocate, sought medical advice for his then-wife Melinda after contracting a sexually transmitted disease from Russian socialites, tarnishing his philanthropic image.
Even tech billionaire Elon Musk makes sporadic appearances, expressing casual interest in visiting Epstein's island and displaying a naive misunderstanding of the situation, emerging as an awkward figure in the revelations.
Donald Trump: The Unexpected Anomaly in the Scandal
Surprisingly, the individual who emerges looking relatively neutral, if not angelic, in comparison is former President Donald J. Trump. Despite being portrayed as a villain by much of the American media, the Epstein files contain no direct evidence implicating him in misconduct.
Trump's presence in the documents is peculiarly spectral. His name is ubiquitous—appearing in third-party emails, interview notes, calendars, and contact lists—yet his direct voice is absent. He is referenced as a destination, a brand, or a point of access, but never as an active participant in compromising exchanges. Notably, there is not a single email correspondence between Trump and Epstein, despite the financier's extensive communication with the Western elite.
This absence has frustrated many Democrats who hoped the files would deliver a decisive blow against Trump. Instead, the spotlight has turned on figures like former President Bill Clinton, who faces significant scrutiny. Trump's paradoxical position underscores his unique political resilience.
The Trump Phenomenon: Naked Truth in a World of Pretense
To understand Trump's stance, one might recall Dave Chappelle's Saturday Night Live monologue, which highlighted Trump's unapologetic admission of benefiting from a rigged system. Trump has consistently displayed a Bart Simpson-like ability to evade consequences, surviving bankruptcies, legal challenges, and political exile.
His public persona is marked by unfiltered rants and controversial actions—accepting gifts from foreign governments, threatening opponents, and engaging in unconventional diplomacy—yet he pays little political price. In an era where scandals topple careers, Trump remains oddly impervious.
The Epstein files have laid bare the dual lives and hypocrisies of the global elite, but Trump has always operated without the veil of moral pretense. As a reality television star turned politician, he never cultivated a halo of purity to be stripped away. In the proverbial bathhouse where everyone is exposed, Trump stands uniquely untouched, his lack of pretense becoming a perverse form of sanctity.
For others, the revelations are devastating, but for Trump, they barely register. In a world obsessed with appearances, the man who never bothered to pretend emerges as an enigmatic figure, challenging conventional notions of scandal and accountability.
