There's part of me that feels like the Epstein list wouldn't be consequential if it was released... but seeing the right react to this news is indicating otherwise.

It's sad that *this* is the kind of story that inspires hope. That the media environment that worked in Donald's favour, with all its lurid conspiricism, would finally have an issue that is too important to ignore. What does one do when their propaganda machine turns on them?

This story feels different because of conservative media's fixation on child abuse and demands to release the Epstein list. They had nowhere near the same interest in his lawsuits during the last election.

Part of the abusive cycle of years negative Donald press has been the hope that a story/trial/impeachment would be consequential. But they were always outweighed by extensive conservative propaganda and Donald's durable cult of personality: "He may be corrupt, but he's honest about it!"