TLDR:
- A Maine Senate candidate claims Trump launched the Iran war to distract from the Epstein files
- The phrase “Epstein class” is becoming Democrats’ sharpest political attack — but a Trump ally coined it first
- Sen. Jon Ossoff amplified the label at a fiery rally last month, drawing national attention
- The cross-party populist anger could reshape the 2026 midterms
A Maine Democratic Senate candidate is making a provocative claim: that President Trump went to war with Iran not to stop nuclear weapons, but to bury the Epstein files.
Graham Platner, who is challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins, told a crowd Sunday night that Mr. Trump and his wealthy allies — what he calls the “Epstein class” — are sacrificing American lives to protect their political interests.
“This war is also being pushed because Donald Trump is in the Epstein files,” Mr. Platner said after reports of the first U.S. casualties. “They are willing to sacrifice the lives of young American men and women and the lives of Iranian civilians simply to protect their political interests. I cannot think of a more reprehensible act.”
The “Epstein class” label is now a rallying cry for Democrats — though former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene notably used it after breaking with Mr. Trump over the Epstein files.
Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia supercharged the phrase last month, telling an Atlanta crowd: “This is the Epstein class, ruling our country.”
Mr. Trump and his advisers say military action was necessary after negotiations failed to stop Iran’s nuclear program.
Read more:
• Democrats wield ’Epstein class’ label against Trump’s Iran war
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