From Epstein to Trump, rich and powerful men have a vulnerable-women problem

The existence of a so-called Jeffrey Epstein “client list” matters, of course. As do the political implications of the long-running saga of the paedophile financier, whose death by suicide in 2019 turbocharged the conspiracies already swirling about a secretive cabal of the wealthy and powerful, and the lengths they would go to to protect their secrets. Given that the men rumoured to have been “gifted” vulnerable girls trafficked by Epstein were friends or associates, rather than paying clients, one might assume that Epstein knew better than to keep such a list anywhere other than in his own head.

The obsessive focus on this list, along with a trove of court and other documents relating to the criminal investigation against Epstein, diverts attention away from what should trouble us most: Why Epstein got such a kick out of abusing underage girls, and why he got away with it for decades. In this post-Me Too era, it’s worth examining whether Epstein is a particularly egregious case of a much broader phenomenon.

Men in power (clockwise from top left): Diddy, Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly and Donald Trump.

The profile of Epstein’s victims, of which there are said to be more than 1000, is familiar to us already, should we care to look. A vulnerable young woman, sometimes from a troubled background, sometimes in need of cash, aspires to make something of her life. In awe of the obscene wealth, status, clout or celebrity of a powerful, older male who, implausibly at first, suggests friendship. He might explicitly offer to use his influence, or such assistance might be implied. Favours are sought, then they are compelled. There is a kind of implicit blackmail, only sometimes articulated, about what might happen should she try to break free or, heaven forbid, alert others to what she has been led to believe she has been complicit in, and guilty of.

Does this remind you of Harvey Weinstein, that other notorious case recently back in the courts? What about “Diddy” Combs, convicted this month of “transportation to engage in prostitution” during more than a decade of abuse of several women including young singer Cassie Ventura, whom he started dating when she was 19 years old (he was 37)? Then there’s fellow Grammy-winning rapper R. Kelly, serving concurrent 20- and 30-year prison sentences for child sex abuse, sex trafficking and racketeering. Among Kelly’s many victims was deceased pop star Aaliyah, whom Kelly illegally married when she was 15 years old.

Mohamed al-Fayed. Russell Brand (allegedly). Neil Gaiman (allegedly). Bill Cosby. Jimmy Savile. Rolf Harris. Larry Nassar.

Groupies and gold-diggers have been around forever, and all of these men could have potentially leveraged their wealth, power or status to have their pick of such women in an entirely consensual fashion, as unpalatable as that may be to some. So why is it that the more influence a man accrues, the seemingly higher the likelihood he will become an abuser? And why do many of these men seem to get off on targeting vulnerable women in particular?

There is no single typology of a paedophile or sex abuser, but the research on the nexus between sex and power does provide clues. Studies have demonstrated that feelings of power enhance pre-existing sociopathic tendencies, and that “men who associate sex with power are more likely to use power to get sex”. Men who hold misogynistic or dehumanising views of women have also been shown to be more likely to perpetrate sexual violence. A combination of both “high levels of power motivation” and “strong power-sex associations” is considered a predictive factor for aggressive sexual behaviour.

This brings us to that other high-profile guy recently convicted of sexual assault, who also has a lengthy history of misogynistic, dehumanising and allegedly abusive behaviour toward women: Donald J. Trump. The president’s infamous “grab ’em by the pussy” and the remark preceding it, “when you’re a star, they let you do it”, suggests that, like the other wealthy and influential men I’ve mentioned, he strongly associates sex with power.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, fresh from forcing through an early shutdown to prevent a vote on the release of confidential documents relating to Epstein, kept an entirely straight face as he asserted that regarding the case of the sex offender, Republicans have been “intellectually consistent the entire time”.

Most would not accuse Trump of being a paedophile, but when it comes to attitudes to women, sex and power, it’s impossible to deny that both Trump and Epstein, long-time friends before a falling out around 2004, are cut from very similar cloth.

Far from being “intellectually consistent”, MAGA has long been content to dismiss or ignore the litany of allegations about Trump’s abuse of women, as well as his close association with Epstein. All while simultaneously railing against other alleged Epstein confidants, including Prince Andrew and Democratic heavyweights Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson and Al Gore. By fanning the flames of a conspiratorial “deep state” cover-up during the election campaign, Trump seems to have inadvertently positioned the question of his own involvement front and centre. It’s too early to tell whether the cracks appearing in the MAGA base over Epstein will threaten Trump, or he will yet again emerge unscathed from a storm of sleaze and salacity.

For now, Trump clearly has an Epstein problem. But both Epstein and Trump represent a phenomenon that far exceeds the criminal sexual proclivities of a couple of middle-aged billionaires.

The proliferation of cases in recent years probably only scratches the surface. Of course, not all men associate sex with power nor feel a need, or an entitlement, to leverage their power to abuse women. But it certainly appears that some wealthy, influential and powerful men have a vulnerable-women problem. One can only wonder how many other Epsteins are out there, hiding in plain sight, including in Australia.

Kylie Moore-Gilbert is an academic in Middle Eastern political science at Macquarie University and is the author of memoir The Uncaged Sky: My 804 Days in an Iranian Prison.

The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.